• Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Recipes
  • Cookbooks
  • Work With Me
  • Contact

CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Crème Brûlée Doughnuts

Crème Brûlée Doughnuts

doughnuts and sweet rolls· Easter· Holiday Favorites· pastries
May 20, 2021

Crème Brûlée Doughnuts – Fluffy brioche doughnuts are filled with a vanilla bean custard, dipped in icing and then topped…
Read More

Cheese Danish

Cheese Danish

breakfast· dessert· doughnuts and sweet rolls· pastries
August 27, 2020

Cheese Danish – Sweet yeast dough is filled with cinnamon and sugar and then twisted into a round danish filled…
Read More

Banana Bread Doughnuts

Banana Bread Doughnuts

breakfast· cake· doughnuts and sweet rolls· Easter· Fall Flavors· Holiday Favorites
August 20, 2020

Banana Bread Doughnuts – Cakey baked doughnuts made of banana bread batter and dipped in a brown butter frosting and…
Read More

Cinnamon Swirl Doughnut Loaf

Cinnamon Swirl Doughnut Loaf

breakfast· cake· doughnuts and sweet rolls· Easter· Holiday Favorites
April 17, 2020

Cinnamon Swirl Doughnut Loaf – A yummy loaf cake that has the texture of cake doughnuts and cinnamon flavor swirled…
Read More

Raspberry Sweet Rolls

Raspberry Sweet Rolls

breakfast· doughnuts and sweet rolls· Easter· pastries· Valentine's Day
April 6, 2020

Raspberry Sweet Rolls – Sweet yeast dough is filled with raspberry jam and fresh raspberries and then baked until golden…
Read More

Chocolate Berry Fritters

Chocolate Berry Fritters

doughnuts and sweet rolls· Holiday Favorites· pastries· Valentine's Day
February 3, 2020

Chocolate Berry Fritters – Chocolate yeast donuts are loaded with three kinds of berries and then covered in sweet icing. …
Read More

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

breakfast· doughnuts and sweet rolls· Fall Flavors· Holiday Favorites
October 21, 2019

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls – Fluffy cinnamon rolls are made with pumpkin dough filled with brown sugar and cinnamon and then…
Read More

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • Next Page »

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

a trio of gingerbread souffles on a serving platter

Gingerbread Soufflé

slices of iced pumpkin scones drizzled with frosting on a wire rack on top of parchment paper, shot from overhead

Iced Pumpkin Scones

plate of stack of pistachio pancakes with a bite of them on a fork with pistachios sprinkled around on a cloth napkin, shot from overhead

Pistachio Pancakes

chicken and biscuits in a dutch oven overhead shot

Chicken and Dumplings

close up angle of pumpkin cinnamon roll pancakes stacked on a white plate

Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

close up of a slice of pumpkin crumb cake separated from the rest of the cake but not on a plate yet

Pumpkin Crumb Cake

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

Breakfast
Appetizers
Entrees
Salads
Sides
Drinks
Desserts
Roundups
Holidays

Browse by Date

  • Home
  • About Me
  • Contact Me
  • Privacy Policy

holiday favorite

Gingerbread Biscotti on parchment paper

Gingerbread Biscotti

angled shot of french almond cakes sitting on a white plate

French Almond Cakes (Financiers)

zoomed in shot of portuguese egg tarts sitting on a plate

Portuguese Egg Tarts

two stacked Cinnamon Chocolate Muffins and one muffin cut in half next to it and a pan of cinnamon chocolate muffins, shot from a side angle

Cinnamon Chocolate Muffins

zoomed in shot of Mint Brownie Truffles

Mint Brownie Truffles

 

Well, if you're struggling this morning like I am, Well, if you're struggling this morning like I am, I have the perfect treat to get you moving and grooving!

Almond croissants are, by-far, my favorite pastry, you guys! I love the rich almond filling and the crunch you get from the sliced almonds on top. 

The secret to easy almond croissants? We're using store-bought croissants! Because the filling takes its own time to make, I see no benefit in making these more complicated by making your own croissants, as well. But if that's what you wanna do, you definitely can. I'm just here to assure you that it's definitely not necessary!

Perfect for impressing brunch guests, treating yourself on a lazy Sunday, or bringing bakery vibes into your own kitchen!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/almond-croissants/
The Pumpkin Cheesecake Macaron! Pumpkin butter i The Pumpkin Cheesecake Macaron! 

Pumpkin butter is just like apple butter – a spreadable puree of deliciousness with tons of spices – but made with pumpkin puree instead of apple (duh). I've seen pumpkin butter sold in stores (near the jams and jellies) but it wasn't available at my store yet. 

So I just made my own using a recipe from Skinnytaste. I only made a half-batch and it was more than enough!

Side note: I've been using the leftover pumpkin butter to flavor my coffee in the mornings. Just a teaspoon goes a long way! 

Why these are special: These macarons are so delicate, yet chewy and BEYOND flavorful, you guys! Move over, pumpkin spice latte, there's a new favorite pumpkin treat in town! 

These are restaurant-quality French cookies you can make at home! Yes, they take some practice and attention to detail, but they're SO worth it! The "wow" factor alone is incredible, and they taste even better than they look!

RECIPE: https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/pumpkin-cheesecake-macarons/
These babies are called Peanut Butter Blossoms! T These babies are called Peanut Butter Blossoms!

The peanut butter cookie base is so soft and chewy, with just the right amount of sweetness from the sugar coating. And that Hershey Kiss on top? It's not just decoration – it's an essential part of the experience! Every bite has peanut butter AND chocolate!

Perfect for Christmas cookie trays, holiday cookie exchanges, bake sales, homemade gifts, or honestly ANY time you're craving that classic peanut butter and chocolate combo! 

Ready to make these classics? https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/peanut-butter-blossoms/
These Mint Chocolate Fudge Cookies have so many el These Mint Chocolate Fudge Cookies have so many elements that it was really hard to name them! They're chewy, chocolatey, minty, have a layer of buttercream, and a nice dollop of fudge on top. I decided 4 words were the max I could use when naming them so I settled on mint chocolate fudge cookies!

Mint cookies have long been a love of mine, whether it's a thin mint or mint cookie ice cream. I love the duo of chocolate and mint together, but it is EVEN better when the chocolate is in the form of a cookie! 

March tends to be the unofficial month of mint because of St. Patrick's Day and the Shamrock Shake at McDonald's making its annual appearance this time of year. So I had to give you a fun, new mint cookie to celebrate these flavors! 

Perfect for St. Patrick's Day parties, cookie exchanges, gifts for mint chocolate lovers, or any time you want to impress with a stunning cookie! 

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/mint-chocolate-fudge-cookies/
I present to you my Pigs in a Blanket Wreath! The I present to you my Pigs in a Blanket Wreath!

The wreath isn't hard to assemble at all! You just make the little pigs in a blanket like you normally do - using crescent dough and mini hot dogs - but just arrange them in a ring and bake. Simple as that! I added a little poppy seeds to step up the presentation a little. But if you have picky little eaters, you can leave them off!

About that dipping sauce... When serving the wreath, don't forget the dipping sauce! I love honey mustard with my hot dogs so that's what I wanted to serve with this wreath. But not just any honey mustard. No, no. This is a Dr Pepper honey mustard, guys! I make a killer Dr Pepper mustard glaze for my Thanksgiving ham so I know first-hand how well Dr Pepper pairs with the mustard flavors! 

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/pigs-in-a-blanket-wreath/

Copyright © 2026 Certified Pastry Aficionado · Web Design by Viva la Violet