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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

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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Steakhouse Burgers

Steakhouse Burgers

beef entrees· sandwiches & wraps· Summertime Favorites· Tailgating Recipes
May 10, 2022

Steakhouse Burgers – Beef patties are seasoned with beef bouillon and Worcestershire sauce, topped with caramelized onions and a homemade…
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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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Salami & Cheese Rolls

Salami & Cheese Rolls

bread· sandwiches & wraps
September 7, 2021

Salami & Cheese Rolls – Similar to stromboli, these rolls are stuffed with salami, mozzarella cheese, and basil but have…
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Sloppy Joes

Sloppy Joes

beef entrees· sandwiches & wraps· Tailgating Recipes
September 3, 2021

Sloppy Joes – Ground beef is slathered in a mixture of onions, green pepper, ketchup, and mustard and served on…
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Lemon Basil Chicken Salad

Lemon Basil Chicken Salad

chicken entrees· sandwiches & wraps
August 16, 2021

Lemon Basil Chicken Salad – Shredded chicken in mixed with Greek yogurt, mayo, lemon zest, and fresh basil to make…
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My Favorite Grilled Chicken Sandwich

My Favorite Grilled Chicken Sandwich

chicken entrees· sandwiches & wraps· Tailgating Recipes
May 10, 2021

My favorite grilled chicken sandwich – I love this sandwich because of it’s simple ingredients, juicy texture, and yummy flavor…
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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

Candied Pecans

a hand holding up a maple molasses cookie to show all the detailed cracks in the top of the cookie

Maple Molasses Cookies

staged shot of pumpkin cinnamon crunch muffins with sprinkled pecans and pumpkins in the background, shot from a side angle

Pumpkin Cinnamon Crunch Muffins

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

Pumpkin Cheesecake Macarons

shortcut apple strudel on a marble serving platter cut down the middle to expose the apple center with vanilla ice cream on top and a fork in the foreground

Shortcut Apple Strudel

autumn kale salad in a blue salad bowl

Autumn Kale Salad

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holiday favorite

brooklyn blackout cupcakes

Brooklyn Blackout Cupcakes

Sweet Corn Risotto with Crispy Shrimp - Creamy, cheesy homemade risotto is taken up a notch with fresh sweet yellow corn and paired perfect with SeaPak Butterfly Shrimp and Clos du Bois Chardonnay.

Sweet Corn Risotto with Crispy Shrimp (+ wine pairing)

nutella pastry rolls on a sheet of parchment paper with a spoonful of nutella next to them

Nutella Pastry Rolls

a hand holding up a maple molasses cookie to show all the detailed cracks in the top of the cookie

Maple Molasses Cookies

Candied Pecans

 

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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