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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Steak & Blue Cheese Pizza

Steak & Blue Cheese Pizza

beef entrees· pizza & pasta
January 16, 2017

Steak & Blue Cheese Pizza – Spice up your pizza game with this steak and blue cheese pizza! Fresh pizza dough…
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Drunken Spaghetti & Meatballs

Drunken Spaghetti & Meatballs

beef entrees· pizza & pasta· Valentine's Day
November 18, 2016

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #thetalkofthetable #CollectiveBias The following…
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Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese

Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese

pizza & pasta· sides
October 3, 2016

Creamy Baked Mac & Cheese – Creamy cheese sauce is added to pasta, topped with more shredded cheese and then…
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Homemade Gnocchi with Pesto Cream Sauce

Homemade Gnocchi with Pesto Cream Sauce

pizza & pasta· Popular Recipes· Valentine's Day
September 19, 2016

Homemade Gnocchi with Pesto Cream Sauce – Super fluffy homemade Italian potato dumplings (gnocchi) coated in a rich pesto cream…
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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

close up of pretzel bread pudding slice on a plate in a pool of whiskey sauce

Pretzel Bread Pudding

front shot of sweet potato cornbread in a cast iron skillet

Sweet Potato Cornbread

three Sweet Potato Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting on a platter with two cupcakes on a pedestal on top of cotton napkin with whole pecans sprinkled around, shot from a side angle

Sweet Potato Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

pumpkin challah bread sliced with a knife

Pumpkin Challah Bread

overhead shot of Parmesan & Thyme Potatoes Au Gratin in a baking dish

Parmesan & Thyme Potatoes Au Gratin

overhead shot of slices of pear coffee cake

Pear Coffee Cake

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holiday favorite

Cheeseball Bites

zoomed in shot of min fruit tarts, shot from a side angle

Classic Fruit Tarts

Fudge Striped Cookies on a wire rack drizzled chocolate, shot from a side angle

Fudge Striped Cookies

Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels on a plate with sprigs of herbs in between the pinwheels, shot from overhead

Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels

a slice of cinnamon swirl doughnut bread with a fork cutting it in with the other half of the bread next to it on a piece of parchment paper and a cloth napkin, shot from a side angle

Cinnamon Swirl Doughnut Loaf

 

Grilled Bang Bang Shrimp Skewers – grilled shrim Grilled Bang Bang Shrimp Skewers – grilled shrimp covered in a spicy, creamy, sweet chili sauce!

Grilling is my FAVORITE, you guys! Those charred grill marks add SO much flavor! This is my grilled twist on the classic fried Bang Bang Shrimp from that upscale seafood restaurant – healthier and just as delicious! 

The sauce is simply mayo + sweet chili sauce + sriracha. SO easy!

Pro tip: Taste your sauce first and add more sriracha if needed – mine was too mild so I kept adding more! And soak those wooden skewers for 30 minutes so they don't catch fire!

Perfect for summer BBQs, pool parties, or anytime you want easy grilled appetizers! 

💬 Comment "BANGBANG" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for grilling season
📤 SHARE with someone who loves shrimp!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/grilled-bang-bang-shrimp-skewers

#BangBangShrimp #GrilledShrimp #ShrimpSkewers #BBQRecipes #GrilledSeafood #ShrimpRecipes #PoolPartyFood #OutdoorCooking #SummerFood
Carrot Snack Cake – a single-layer carrot cake t Carrot Snack Cake – a single-layer carrot cake topped with homemade cream cheese frosting and sprinkled with chopped pecans!

Easter isn't the same without carrot cake, but who has time for a three-layer version anymore? Not me! This snack cake has ALL the classic flavors – cinnamon, carrot, nutmeg, brown sugar, pecans – with HALF the effort! 

Made in a 9x9 pan and you can even frost it right in the pan for extra simplicity!
Pro tip: Freshly shred your carrots – they're softer and taste SO much better than pre-shredded matchstick carrots!

Perfect for Easter, spring gatherings, potlucks, or anytime you want carrot cake without the fuss! 

💬 Comment "CARROTCAKE" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for easy baking
📤 SHARE with someone who loves carrot cake!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/carrot-snack-cake/
#CarrotCake #CarrotSnackCake #EasterDessert #SpringDesserts #EasyCake #CakeRecipes #HomemadeCake #SpringBaking #EasyDessert #SheetCake
Mixed Berry Fool – a no-bake British dessert mad Mixed Berry Fool – a no-bake British dessert made from sweetened smashed berries folded into fresh whipped cream!

I learned about this from my Great British Baking Show binges, you guys! A "fool" is just crushed fruit folded into whipped cream – SO simple! This version uses strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries for the perfect spring treat!

Everyone in my family loved this! Creamy, light, tart, and sweet all at once!
Pro tip: Chill the berries for 15 minutes but DON'T let them freeze – stir occasionally to prevent ice crystals!

Perfect for Easter, Valentine's Day, spring brunches, or anytime you need an elegant no-bake dessert! 🌸

💬 Comment "BERRYFOOL" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for spring entertaining
📤 SHARE with someone who loves berries

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/mixed-berry-fool

#MixedBerryFool #BerryFool #NoBakeDessert #SpringDesserts #BritishDessert #EasterDessert #BerryDessert #FreshBerries #SummerDessert #BrunchDessert
Apple Pie Slider Doughnuts – rich brioche doughn Apple Pie Slider Doughnuts – rich brioche doughnuts tossed in cinnamon sugar, sliced in half, and stuffed with gooey fried apples! 

I LOVE slider doughnuts, you guys! They're stuffed with SO much filling that you can't just pump it into the center – you have to slice them like a burger bun! These fall-inspired beauties are filled with sticky, sweet, crispy fried apples!

The secret? Brioche dough chilled overnight makes them extra tender and fluffy. Don't worry when they turn super brown when frying – that's just the extra butter and eggs!

Pro tip: Use a candy thermometer to keep oil at 360°F – perfect temp for fluffy doughnuts!

Perfect for brunch or anytime you want bakery-level doughnuts at home! 

💬 Comment "APPLEPIE" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for fall baking
📤 SHARE with someone who loves doughnuts!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/apple-pie-slider-doughnuts/

#ApplePieDoughnuts #SliderDoughnuts #HomemadeDoughnuts #BriocheDoughnuts #ApplePie #DoughnutRecipes #CinnamonSugar #FallTreats #BreakfastIdeas
Garlic Parmesan Pull-Apart Bread – homemade pizz Garlic Parmesan Pull-Apart Bread – homemade pizza dough balls tossed in herb butter, garlic, and Parmesan, baked into a gorgeous loaf and served with marinara!

This is the ULTIMATE party appetizer, you guys! My husband couldn't stop eating it – he ate HALF the loaf himself!  Each fluffy ball pulls right off and it's SO fun to eat!

The secret? Baking in a Bundt pan creates the perfect round shape with a center just big enough for marinara dipping sauce!

Pro tip: Remove from the pan while it's still hot – when it cools, the grease solidifies and makes it harder to remove!

Perfect for game day, pasta night, tailgating, or anytime you need a crowd-pleasing appetizer! 

💬 Comment "BREAD" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for your next party
📤 SHARE with someone who loves garlic bread!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/garlic-parmesan-pull-apart-bread/

#GarlicBread #PullApartBread #GarlicParmesanBread #PartyAppetizers #GameDayFood #HomemadeBread #BreadRecipes #AppetizerRecipes #PizzaDough #ItalianFood #TailgatingFood #ComfortFood

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