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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Pork Tomatillo Soup

Pork Tomatillo Soup

pork entrees· soup
November 13, 2023

Pork Tomatillo Soup – Soup made with tomatillos, poblanos, jalapenos, hatch chiles, spices, and slow-cooked pork. Served with Oaxaca cheese….
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Dijon Apple Pork Chops

Dijon Apple Pork Chops

Fall Flavors· pork entrees
November 20, 2022

Dijon Apple Pork Chops – Pork chops are cooked to perfection and then topped with a Dijon apple pan sauce…
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Pulled Pork Tacos with Avocado Salsa

Pulled Pork Tacos with Avocado Salsa

pork entrees· sandwiches & wraps
May 13, 2022

Pulled Pork Tacos with Avocado Salsa – Pork shoulder is slow-cooked, pulled and then placed in a flour tortilla, along…
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Crispy Pork Medallions

Crispy Pork Medallions

pork entrees
February 24, 2022

Crispy Pork Medallions – Pork tenderloin is sliced into round medallions, covered in panko breadcrumbs, and lightly fried until golden…
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Cuban Pulled Pork Sliders

Cuban Pulled Pork Sliders

appetizer· pork entrees· sandwiches & wraps· Tailgating Recipes
January 31, 2022

Cuban Pulled Pork Sliders – Traditional ingredients of a Cuban sandwich are placed between dinner rolls to make perfectly-sized sliders….
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Smothered Pork Chops

Smothered Pork Chops

pork entrees
September 23, 2021

Smothered Pork Chops – Bone-in pork chops are lightly fried and then smothered in a creamy onion pan sauce to…
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Chinese BBQ Pork Tenderloin

Chinese BBQ Pork Tenderloin

pork entrees
September 16, 2021

Chinese BBQ Pork Tenderloin – Pork tenderloin is marinated in a sweet Chinese BBQ sauce and then roasted in the…
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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

overhead shot of slices of pear coffee cake

Pear Coffee Cake

overhead shot of pumpkin churros on a plate of cinnamon sugar

Pumpkin Churros

two mugs of Cinnamon Maple Latte topped with whipped cream and sprinkled with pecans with dunkin donuts creamer and a stack of pumpkins on top of a cloth napkin, shot from a side angle

Cinnamon Maple Latte

apple cinnamon monkey bread with a chunk out of it and sliced apples in front, shot from a side angle

Apple Cinnamon Monkey Bread

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

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder 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

close up of a piece of chocolate hzelnut toffee with chopped hazelnuts sitting beside it

Chocolate Hazelnut Toffee

Gingerbread Biscotti on parchment paper

Gingerbread Biscotti

picture of mixed berry almond tart dusted with powdered sugar shot at an angle from the front

Mixed Berry Almond Tart

a short glass with a gold rim filled with cherry bourbon spritz and a garnish of rosemary twig

Cherry Bourbon Spritz

 

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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