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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Mint Chocolate Fudge Cookies

Mint Chocolate Fudge Cookies

Cookies· dessert· Easter· Holiday Favorites
March 2, 2023

Mint Chocolate Fudge Cookies – Chewy chocolate cookies are topped with a thin layer of mint buttercream and a dollop…
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Raspberry Chocolate Molten Cakes

Raspberry Chocolate Molten Cakes

cake· dessert· Holiday Favorites· Valentine's Day
February 15, 2023

Raspberry Chocolate Molten Cakes – Small raspberry chocolate molten cakes are made in muffins tins to make them the perfect…
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Cherry Almond Soufflé

Cherry Almond Soufflé

dessert· Holiday Favorites· Valentine's Day
February 10, 2023

Cherry Almond Soufflé – Light almond cake sits atop a cherry compote that makes for a lovely, balanced dessert. We…
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Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies

Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cookies· dessert
January 22, 2023

Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies – Banana cookies loaded with candied walnuts and covered in regular and large semi-sweet chips Today’s…
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Pistachio Loaf

Pistachio Loaf

bread· breakfast· cake· dessert· Easter· Fall Flavors· Holiday Favorites· pastries· snacks
January 15, 2023

Pistachio Loaf – Real pistachios are ground and added to olive oil, eggs, sugar, flour, and a hint of almond…
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Salted Caramel Banana Cream Puffs

Salted Caramel Banana Cream Puffs

dessert· Easter· Holiday Favorites· pastries
December 29, 2022

Salted Caramel Banana Cream Puffs – Homemade choux puffs are filled with fresh whipped cream, a slice of banana and…
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Mocha Trifle

Mocha Trifle

dessert
December 15, 2022

Mocha Trifle– A layered trifle with coffee vanilla pudding, dark chocolate cake, and whipped cream and topped with crushed almond…
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Hi, my name is Sharon. I’m an accountant by day, risk-taking baker and food enthusiast by night. Come join me as I share my favorite recipes and test out new ones along the way!

fall flavors

two mugs of Cinnamon Maple Latte topped with whipped cream and sprinkled with pecans with dunkin donuts creamer and a stack of pumpkins on top of a cloth napkin, shot from a side angle

Cinnamon Maple Latte

pumpkin cinnamon pull apart loaf with a center slice visable

Pumpkin Cinnamon Pull Apart Loaf

pint glass of pumpkin cream cold brew coffee with a metal straw

Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew

a cinnamon stick being dipped into a mug of mulled wine with another mug of mulled wine and a glass dish of mulled spices in the background, shot from a side angle

Slow Cooker Mulled Wine

warm banana bread with a couple bites removed sitting on a plate with two scoops on butter pecan ice cream stacked on top and caramelized bananas over the top and a spoon on the side

Banana Bread Sundae

close up pork chops on a plate with Dijon apple pan sauce on top and a rosemary garnish

Dijon Apple Pork Chops

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

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holiday favorite

cranberry lime mojitos with cranberries and slices of lime

Cranberry Lime Mojitos

a plate of Peanut Butter Blossoms and a wrapped hershey kiss next to them and a pan of more cookies and hershey kisses in the background, shot from a side angle

Peanut Butter Blossoms

close up of cherry almond couffle with a spoonful exposing the center

Cherry Almond Soufflé

nutella pastry rolls on a sheet of parchment paper with a spoonful of nutella next to them

Nutella Pastry Rolls

close up of slice of roasted strawberry bundt cake taken from the side to show the inside of the slice

Roasted Strawberry Bundt Cake

 

There is honestly nothing better than the smell of There is honestly nothing better than the smell of fresh bread filling the house, and this Rosemary Olive Oil Focaccia is my absolute favorite to bake. 🍞🌿

I used to be so intimidated by yeast, but I’ve tried this specific recipe several times now, and it is foolproof. It’s crispy on the bottom, fluffy on the inside, and those little dimples filled with olive oil are everything.

My kids love getting involved with this one. I let them help with the "dimpling" part—pressing their fingers into the dough is basically like edible playdough to them! 

Do your kids play with this type of craft? Mine are obsessed, and it’s a great way to get them excited about being in the kitchen.

Whether you’re serving it with dinner or just snacking on it warm from the oven, you have to try this.

✨ Want the recipe? Comment “BREAD” below and I’ll send the link straight to your DMs!

#focaccia #breadmaking #easyrecipes #homemadebread
If you’re a fan of dessert for breakfast, you ha If you’re a fan of dessert for breakfast, you have to try this Berries & Cream Stuffed French Toast Casserole. 

I’m usually more of a savory breakfast person, but I tried this recipe recently and it’s basically like having cheesecake for brunch. The best part? Unlike most French toast casseroles, you don’t have to let this one sit in the fridge overnight. You just assemble and pop it straight into the oven.

I actually made a batch of this while we were hanging out at home last Sunday. The house smelled incredible, and even though it looks fancy, it was so low-stress. My kids are obsessed with anything that involves berries and "dip," so this was a massive hit. Do your kids play with this type of craft? (Mine are obsessed—though their "crafting" usually involves trying to pick all the blackberries out before it hits the table!)

Want the recipe? Comment “BERRY” below and I’ll send the link straight to your DMs!

#breakfastcasserole #brunchideas #frenchtoast #easyrecipes
If you’re looking for the ultimate weeknight com If you’re looking for the ultimate weeknight comfort food, this is it. 🍝✨

I recently tried this Baked Chicken Spaghetti and it is a total game-changer. Most recipes I see are overloaded with cheese that just adds fat without flavor, but this one is different. It’s incredibly creamy and relies on a base of browned chicken bits, onions, and garlic to give it a really deep, savory taste.

The best part? It’s a one-pot meal (if your braising dish is big enough!), which makes cleanup so much faster. I’ve found that it’s the perfect way to use up any leftover chicken you might have in the fridge, too.

I’m curious—do your kids play with this type of craft? Mine are obsessed. (Wait, I mean... do your kids eat everything you put in front of them? Mine can be picky, but they absolutely inhaled this pasta!)

Want the recipe? Comment “CHICKEN” below and I’ll send the link straight to your DMs!

#bakedspaghetti #weeknightdinner #easyrecipes
If you are looking for the perfect signature drink If you are looking for the perfect signature drink for your next holiday gathering, this is it. 🥂

I’ve tried quite a few seasonal cocktails, but this Holiday Mule is a standout because it brings in those crisp flavors of apple cider and cranberry without being overly sweet. The addition of Prosecco really levels it up from a standard mule—it adds a lightness that makes it so refreshing.

I love that it’s simple enough to make in a single copper mug but looks impressive enough for a big party. I’m curious, do you have a go-to garnish for your holiday drinks? I’m personally obsessed with the rosemary and cinnamon stick combo used here; it makes the whole house smell like Christmas! 🎄

Want the recipe? Comment “MULE” below and I’ll send the link straight to your DMs!

#holidaycocktails #moscowmule #holidayhosting
These Homemade Bagels are SO good, you'll never wa These Homemade Bagels are SO good, you'll never want to toast them again!

Y'all, I tried making bagels years ago and they were... not great. But after tons of research and a second attempt, these came out PERFECT! Chewy inside, crispy shiny shell outside, and that authentic bagel flavor you crave. They're honestly better than the bagel shop!

Here's what makes them amazing:
✨ Overnight rise = maximum chewiness
✨ Barley malt syrup = that signature flavor
✨ Boiling water bath = shiny crust
✨ Pizza stone = perfect texture

The secret? It's all about the process! The dough rises slowly overnight, gets a quick bath in boiling baking soda water (just like pretzels!), then bakes on a pizza stone for that perfect crispy exterior. The result is bagel shop quality at home!

Pro tips:
🍞 Use bread flour for that chewy texture
🌙 Let them rise overnight (patience = perfection!)
🔥 Pizza stone is a game-changer
🥯 Don't skip the barley malt syrup!

The best part? Fresh bagels warm from the oven need ZERO toasting. The crust is already perfectly crispy and the inside is so soft and chewy. Spread on some cream cheese and you're in bagel heaven!

Ready to make bagel shop quality at home? Comment "BAGELS" below and I'll send the full recipe straight to your DMs! 

#homemadebagels #bagels #breadmaking

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