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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Banana Nut Cinnamon Rolls

Banana Nut Cinnamon Rolls

breakfast· doughnuts and sweet rolls· Easter
April 9, 2018

Banana Nut Cinnamon Rolls – Fluffy homemade cinnamon rolls are filled with the perfect mixture of sliced bananas, brown sugar,…
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Irish Cream Chocolate Doughnuts

Irish Cream Chocolate Doughnuts

doughnuts and sweet rolls
March 12, 2018

Irish Cream Chocolate Doughnuts – Dense chocolate cake doughnuts dipped in an Irish cream glaze. And what makes these even…
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Apple Cider Crumb Doughnuts

Apple Cider Crumb Doughnuts

breakfast· doughnuts and sweet rolls· Fall Flavors
October 23, 2017

Apple Cider Crumb Doughnuts – Spiced doughnuts with a little apple flavor from fresh apple cider and topped with cinnamon crumbs…
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Pistachio Cream Doughnuts

Pistachio Cream Doughnuts

breakfast· doughnuts and sweet rolls
September 4, 2017

Pistachio Cream Doughnuts – Super fluffy yeast doughnuts are tossed in powdered sugar and filled with homemade pistachio pastry cream. These…
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Blackberries & Cream Slider Doughnuts

Blackberries & Cream Slider Doughnuts

breakfast· doughnuts and sweet rolls· Summertime Favorites
April 20, 2017

Blackberries & Cream Slider Doughnuts – Super fluffy yeast doughnuts that are tossed in sugar and then stuffed with a…
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Pecan Sticky Buns

Pecan Sticky Buns

breakfast· doughnuts and sweet rolls· Easter· Fall Flavors· Holiday Favorites
March 27, 2017

Pecan Sticky Buns – A super ooey, gooey, sticky bun made with brioche dough and tons of brown sugar and…
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Cinnamon Roll Wreath

Cinnamon Roll Wreath

breakfast· doughnuts and sweet rolls· Easter· Holiday Favorites
December 19, 2016

Cinnamon Roll Wreath – A fun, new way to serve a plate of cinnamon rolls for breakfast or brunch. Your guests…
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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

carrot raisin muffins stacked on top of each other and sitting on a purple plate

Carrot Raisin Muffins

plate of Pumpkin Cheesecake Macarons with a gourd in the background, shot from the front

Pumpkin Cheesecake Macarons

close up of potato dinner rolls on a wooden round serving platter

Potato Dinner Rolls

styled shot of a stack of chocolate pecan pie cheesecake bars

Chocolate Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars

angled view of cup of dirt pudding

Cup of Dirt Pudding

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

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

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holiday favorite

a glass dish with bacon corn casserole with half scooped out and a wooden spoon in it, shot from a side angle

Bacon Corn Casserole

a slice of chocolate cream pie with a bite out of it on a plate with more pie in the background, shot from the front

Chocolate Cream Pie

styled shot of Sweet Yeast Rolls on a plate with a bowl of Whipped Pumpkin Butter and a basket of rolls and a pumpkin in the background, shot from a side angle

Sweet Yeast Rolls with Whipped Pumpkin Butter

bailey cheesecake brownie bites on a dessert plate with one missing a bite to expose the creamy center

Baileys Cheesecake Brownie Bites

Goat Cheese Phyllo Cigars

 

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/

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