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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Classic Fruit Tarts

Classic Fruit Tarts

dessert· Easter· Holiday Favorites· pie· Popular Recipes· Valentine's Day
December 9, 2019

Classic Fruit Tarts – Rich vanilla pastry cream is filled into a buttery mini tart shell and covered with fresh…
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Chocolate Cream Pie

Chocolate Cream Pie

dessert· Easter· Holiday Favorites· pie· Valentine's Day
November 18, 2019

Chocolate Cream Pie – My perfect pie crust is baked to perfection and then filled with a chocolate pudding filling…
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Berry Crumble Pie

Berry Crumble Pie

dessert· Easter· Holiday Favorites· pie· Summertime Favorites· Valentine's Day
October 28, 2019

Berry Crumble Pie – My favorite pie crust is filled with four kinds of berries and baked with a brown…
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Chocolate Pecan Pie

Chocolate Pecan Pie

Fall Flavors· Holiday Favorites· pie
October 24, 2019

Chocolate Pecan Pie – Classic pecan pie is made even better with the addition of chocolate chips and substituting corn…
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Stone Fruit Tart

Stone Fruit Tart

Fall Flavors· Holiday Favorites· pastries· pie· Summertime Favorites
September 12, 2019

Stone Fruit Tart – A simple tart made with fresh peaches and plums, all in a homemade tart shell Why…
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Almond Butter Chocolate Tarts

Almond Butter Chocolate Tarts

dessert· Holiday Favorites· pie· Valentine's Day
June 24, 2019

Almond Butter Chocolate Tarts – Smooth almond butter is combined with cream cheese and whipped cream and filled into chocolate…
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Banana Cream Pie Dip

Banana Cream Pie Dip

dessert· dips· Easter· pie
April 15, 2019

Banana Cream Pie Dip – Creamy, dreamy banana cream pie filling served with vanilla wafers to scoop up into a…
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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

chicken and biscuits in a dutch oven overhead shot

Chicken and Dumplings

overhead shot of cheddar crusted apple pie with lattice crust

Cheddar Crusted Apple Pie

sweet potato biscuits on parchment paper with butter to the side and a cast iron pan of more biscuits in it, shot from a side angle

Sweet Potato Biscuits

Roasted Brussel Sprouts in a baking dish with melted butter and a spoon in it, shot from a side angle

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Honey Mustard Vinaigrette

front shot of sweet potato cornbread in a cast iron skillet

Sweet Potato Cornbread

side shot of banana bread doughnuts on a purple plate with more doughnuts in the background

Banana Bread Doughnuts

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

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holiday favorite

zoomed in shot of a Rum Cake surrounded with raspberries on top of a cloth napkin, shot from the front

Rum Cake

pumpkin cinnamon pull apart loaf with a center slice visable

Pumpkin Cinnamon Pull Apart Loaf

berry pavlova sitting on a baking sheet with parchment paper

Berry Pavlova

front shot of sweet potato cornbread in a cast iron skillet

Sweet Potato Cornbread

overhead shot of fig and goat cheese crostini on a serving platter

Fig & Goat Cheese Crostini

 

Creamy Skillet Corn Dip – fresh corn mixed with Creamy Skillet Corn Dip – fresh corn mixed with jalapeños, cream cheese, sour cream, and melty Monterrey Jack cheese! 🌽🧀

This is THE ultimate party dip, you guys! Sweet fresh corn + hint of spice + THREE creamy cheeses = pure heaven! Plus you cook AND serve it in the same skillet. Talk about a dream come true! 

The secret? FRESH corn kernels! They have a bite and sweetness you just don't get from canned or frozen. Trust me on this one!

Pro tip: Mix everything in a separate bowl first – way easier than trying to stir in the hot skillet!

Perfect for game day, summer BBQs, taco night, or honestly anytime you need a crowd-pleasing dip! 

💬 Comment "CORNDIP" for the recipe
💾 SAVE this for your next gathering
📤 SHARE with someone who loves dip!

#CreamySkilletCornDip #CornDip #PartyDip #GameDayFood #SummerAppetizers #FreshCorn #MonterreyJack #JalapenoDip #SkilletRecipes #CreamCheeseDip #TailgatingFood #BBQAppetizers #CrowdPleasers #DipRecipes #EasyAppetizers
Authentic Spanish Ham & Cheese Croquettes (Croquet Authentic Spanish Ham & Cheese Croquettes (Croquetas) – crispy fried dumplings with prosciutto, Manchego cheese, and a creamy bechamel base!

These are the ultimate party appetizer and taste exactly like what you'd get at a tapas bar in Madrid! Crispy golden exterior meets gooey, cheesy center. That cheese pull is UNREAL!

Perfect for tapas night, game day, or any party. Frying tips included so don't be scared – just heat your oil for 10+ minutes and don't overcrowd the pan!

Pro tip: Chill the dough for 2+ hours before frying or it'll fall apart!

💬 Comment "CROQUETA" for the full recipe
💾 SAVE this for your next party
📤 SHARE with someone who loves Spanish food!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/ham-cheese-croquettes-croquetas/

#HamCheeseCroquettes #Croquetas #SpanishFood
3-Ingredient Oreo Truffles 😍 One of my favorit 3-Ingredient Oreo Truffles 😍

One of my favorite go-to recipes! I inherited this from my old roommate back in college. She made them for me once and they suddenly took over my life, you guys! I seriously ate like 10 in one sitting. It was that day that I discovered what heartburn was! 

THE RECIPE (makes 48 truffles):

Ingredients:
-1 package Oreos (36 cookies)
-1 package (12 oz) chocolate chips
-1 package (8 oz) cream cheese

Instructions:
1️⃣ Take cream cheese out of fridge to warm slightly (NOT room temp!)
2️⃣ Crush Oreos into crumbs in food processor. Save 1/4 cup for topping
3️⃣ Mix Oreo crumbs + cream cheese with your HANDS until it forms a dough
4️⃣ Roll into balls using teaspoon or melon baller
5️⃣ Chill 10 minutes
6️⃣ Melt chocolate chips in microwave (30-sec increments)
7️⃣ Dip balls in chocolate, let excess drip off
8️⃣ Sprinkle with reserved Oreo crumbs
9️⃣ Chill 1 hour before serving
🔟 Store in fridge!

Save & Share!

#oreotruffles #easydesserts #oreorecipes #nobakedesserts 

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/3-ingredient-oreo-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/

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