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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Tomato Pesto Focaccia

Tomato Pesto Focaccia

appetizer· bread· pizza & pasta· snacks
August 23, 2022

Tomato Pesto Focaccia – Homemade focaccia dough is topped with basil pesto and fresh tomatoes, then baked to perfection. Baking…
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Cherry Tomato Prosciutto Pizza

Cherry Tomato Prosciutto Pizza

pizza & pasta
June 27, 2022

Cherry Tomato Prosciutto Pizza – Homemade pizza baked with fresh mozzarella and cherry tomatoes, then finished with Italian prosciutto and…
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Spinach & Cheese Stuffed Shells with Vodka Sauce

Spinach & Cheese Stuffed Shells with Vodka Sauce

pizza & pasta
March 10, 2022

Spinach & Cheese Stuffed Shells with Vodka Sauce – Jumbo pasta shells are stuffed with ricotta, spinach, and mozzarella, covered…
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Pumpkin Fettuccine with Sundried Tomatoes

Pumpkin Fettuccine with Sundried Tomatoes

Fall Flavors· pizza & pasta
November 15, 2021

Pumpkin Fettuccine with Sundried Tomatoes – Homemade pumpkin pasta is cooked to al dente and then tossed in a creamy…
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Roasted Tomato Mac & Cheese

Roasted Tomato Mac & Cheese

pizza & pasta
September 13, 2021

Roasted Tomato Mac & Cheese – The Parmesan roasted tomatoes on top of this mac and cheese help balance out…
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Lemon Pecorino Pasta

Lemon Pecorino Pasta

pizza & pasta
April 22, 2021

Lemon Pecorino Pasta – Long pasta is combined with lemon zest, lemon juice and Percorino Romano cheese to make a…
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Easy Ravioli Lasagna

Easy Ravioli Lasagna

beef entrees· pizza & pasta
October 5, 2020

Easy Ravioli Lasagna – Meat sauce, cheese ravioli, and mozzarella cheese are layered to make a yummy baked pasta dish…
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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

photo of two glasses of sangria with the pitcher in the background

Cranberry Apple Sangria

a slice of peach upside down cake on a white plate with the rest of the cake in the background

Peach Upside-down Cake

pumpkin cinnamon pull apart loaf with a center slice visable

Pumpkin Cinnamon Pull Apart Loaf

Apple Pie Cake

plate of pecan sticky bun

Pecan Sticky Buns

zoomed in shot of cut up apple cider caramels

Apple Cider Caramels

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

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holiday favorite

Red Velvet Macarons - A classic french cookie made with a red velvet cookie and cream cheese filling. A elegant little dessert perfect for bridal showers and tea parties!

Red Velvet Macarons

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

close up of a mint chocolate fudge cookie surrounded by chocolate chips

Mint Chocolate Fudge Cookies

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

Cherry Almond Soufflé

overhead shot of Cinnamon Roll Wreath

Cinnamon Roll Wreath

 

This Cacio e Pepe Pasta Risotto changed my pasta g This Cacio e Pepe Pasta Risotto changed my pasta game forever!

After having mind-blowing cacio e pepe at Eataly in Boston, I became obsessed with recreating it at home. But here's the problem: the traditional recipe only makes small portions. So I had a lightbulb moment – what if I cooked it risotto-style to feed a crowd?!

The result? Pure magic. By cooking short pasta (I use ditalini!) slowly in chicken broth, you get an ultra-creamy, luscious texture without any cream. Just simple Italian ingredients: Pecorino Romano cheese, fresh black pepper, butter, and good olive oil.

Here's what makes this amazing:
✨ Feeds a crowd (perfect for dinner parties!)
✨ Only 7 ingredients, but packed with flavor
✨ Takes 30 minutes but worth every second
✨ Creamy without any cream

The key? Using the BEST ingredients – fresh ground black pepper and quality extra virgin olive oil make all the difference. And cooking that pepper in the oil at the beginning? That's what gives it that signature cacio e pepe punch!

Pro tip: Dice those onions super small so they don't overpower each bite. Trust me on this one

Ready to make restaurant-quality Italian pasta at home? Comment "PASTA" below and I'll send the full recipe to your DMs! 

#cacioepepe #pastarisotto #italianfood #pastarecipes #dinnerparty
Black Forest Cupcakes are the ultimate delight! R Black Forest Cupcakes are the ultimate delight!

Rich chocolate cupcakes stuffed with amaretto-roasted cherry compote, topped with fresh whipped cream and a chocolate-dipped cherry. They're basically the fancy cupcake version of the classic German cake, and they're absolutely stunning!

Here's what you need to know:
✨ Made with FRESH cherries (it's their peak season!)
✨ Amaretto instead of Kirsch for better flavor
✨ Three delicious components: cake + filling + topping
✨ Easier than they look – just takes some time

Fun fact: The chocolate represents the Black Forest, while the red and white represent traditional colors worn by women of that region. How beautiful is that? 

These are perfect for gatherings, BBQs, or whenever you want to impress someone with an elegant dessert. Multiple people said these were devoured within 2 days – and I totally believe them!

Pro tip: Make sure everything is completely cooled before assembling, or you'll have a melty mess on your hands 

Ready to make cherry season magic? Comment "CHERRIES" below and I'll send the full recipe straight to your DMs!

#blackforestcake #cherryseason #chocolatecupcakes #summerrecipes #elegantdesserts
The secret to getting kids to eat their veggies? W The secret to getting kids to eat their veggies? Wrap them in puff pastry and cheese.

These Broccoli Cheese Pinwheels are a total game-changer in our house. My kids never want vegetables (ok, who are we kidding – NO kid does), but these? They gobble them up without a single complaint!

Here's what makes them amazing:
✨ Only 4 ingredients – puff pastry, cream cheese, broccoli, and shredded cheese
✨ Ready in 30 minutes from start to finish
✨ Perfect for snacks, lunch boxes, or appetizers
✨ Can make them meal-sized or appetizer-sized

The flaky puff pastry + creamy cheese + tender broccoli combo is chef's kiss. One follower said these were gone in SECONDS at their party and everyone wanted the recipe!

Pro tip: Add some shredded chicken to make these a complete meal!

Want the full recipe with all my tips for perfect pinwheels? Comment "PINWHEELS" below and I'll send it straight to your DMs!

#kidfriendlyrecipes #healthysnacks #puffpastry #pinwheels #hiddenveggie
Pull-apart perfection in every bite! This Apple Pull-apart perfection in every bite! 

This Apple Cinnamon Monkey Bread is the ultimate fall treat – fluffy balls of sweet dough stuffed with warm cinnamon apples, rolled in cinnamon sugar, and baked with a sticky brown sugar glaze. It's basically like a giant apple fritter you can pull apart with your hands!

Apple picking season is actually at its peak RIGHT NOW (did you think it was October too?!) so this is the perfect recipe to make with all those fresh apples 🍏

Here's what you need to know:
✨ Easier than you think – yeast dough isn't scary!
✨ 40 little dough balls = maximum pull-apart fun
✨ Each bite has warm cinnamon apples inside
✨ That brown sugar goo? Chef's kiss

Pro tip: Use a nonstick Bundt pan and grease it REALLY well. Trust me on this one.

Perfect for weekend brunch, holiday mornings, or honestly any time you want to impress your people. One follower said her 5-year-old declared this is what they're giving Santa – so you KNOW it's good!

Want the full recipe with all my tips and tricks? Comment "APPLES" below and I'll send it straight to your DMs! 

#monkeybread #applecinnamon #fallbaking #applerecipes #brunchideas
The FLUFFIEST sweet yeast rolls you'll ever make! The FLUFFIEST sweet yeast rolls you'll ever make!

These beauties are perfectly soft, subtly sweet, and paired with the most incredible whipped pumpkin butter (butter + pumpkin + cinnamon + honey = heaven!).

My husband said these are the best rolls he's ever had, and trust me—he doesn't give compliments lightly 😄

Here's why you need to make these:
✨ Easier than you think (no fancy skills needed!)
✨ Perfectly fluffy and chewy texture
✨ That whipped pumpkin butter is ADDICTIVE
✨ Make ahead and freeze for up to 2 months

Whether it's Thanksgiving, Christmas, or just a cozy family dinner, these rolls will steal the show. The secret? Scalded milk for maximum fluffiness and making sure they're touching in the pan before baking.

Want the full recipe with step-by-step instructions? Comment "ROLLS" below and I'll send it straight to your DMs! 💌
#homemadebread #yeastrolls #thanksgivingrecipes #holidaybaking #pumpkinrecipes

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