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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Philly Cheesesteak Sliders

Philly Cheesesteak Sliders

appetizer· beef entrees· sandwiches & wraps· Tailgating Recipes
March 11, 2019

This post was sponsored by Kroger and The Coca-Cola Company. All opinions expressed on my site are my own.  Philly…
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Mexican Street Corn Chicken Salad

Mexican Street Corn Chicken Salad

chicken entrees· sandwiches & wraps
September 15, 2017

This post has been sponsored by The Kroger Co. Family of Stores in celebration of #HispanicHeritageMonth. As always, all opinions are…
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Mini Pesto Grilled Cheese

Mini Pesto Grilled Cheese

appetizer· sandwiches & wraps· snacks· Tailgating Recipes
August 28, 2017

Mini Pesto Grilled Cheese – Fresh basil pesto and sliced provolone cheese are sandwiched into a crusty baguette and grilled to…
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Fluffernutter Sandwich Three Ways (+giveaway!)

Fluffernutter Sandwich Three Ways (+giveaway!)

sandwiches & wraps· snacks
August 24, 2017

I received the peanut butter used in this recipe from Peanut Butter & Co. but, as always, all opinions are…
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Easy Meatball Subs

Easy Meatball Subs

beef entrees· Popular Recipes· sandwiches & wraps· Tailgating Recipes
January 12, 2017

Easy Meatball Subs – Made with hot dog buns, frozen meatballs, marinara, and provolone, these meatball subs are so simple…
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Bacon & Gruyere Sliders with Beer Caramelized Onions

Bacon & Gruyere Sliders with Beer Caramelized Onions

beef entrees· sandwiches & wraps· Summertime Favorites· Tailgating Recipes
January 9, 2017

Messaging below is intended for ages 21+ and is intended to be enjoyed responsibly, in moderation. This shop has been…
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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

angled view of cup of dirt pudding

Cup of Dirt Pudding

Apple Pie Cake

front shot of pumpkin loaf cut into slices

My Favorite Pumpkin Loaf

vinaigrette dressing being poured over a plate of Orchard Harvest Salad (Panera Copycat) from a glass bottle with a half and whole pair and cherry preserves in the background, shot from a side angle

Orchard Harvest Salad (Panera Copycat)

close up of sliced loaf of chocolate cinnamon babka with the center exposed to see the beautiful swirl of chocolate

Chocolate Cinnamon Babka

a stack of three Apple Cider Crumb Doughnuts on a cloth napkin with more doughnuts around them, shot from the front

Apple Cider Crumb Doughnuts

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

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holiday favorite

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

Mint Chocolate Fudge Cookies

close up of slice of roasted strawberry bundt cake taken from the side to show the inside of the slice

Roasted Strawberry Bundt Cake

a plate with stacked strawberry white chocolate eclairs, shot from the front

Strawberry White Chocolate Eclairs

Black & White Bundt Cake

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

Cherry Almond Soufflé

 

These Dijon Apple Pork Chops are proof that weekni These Dijon Apple Pork Chops are proof that weeknight dinners can be BOTH quick and fancy!

Perfectly cooked pork chops topped with a Dijon apple pan sauce made with fresh apples, rosemary, apple cider, and a touch of Dijon mustard. It's fall flavors at their finest, and it's ready in just 30 minutes!

Why you'll LOVE this recipe:
✨ Quick weeknight dinner (30 minutes!)
✨ Fall flavors you can enjoy all season
✨ Restaurant-quality at home
✨ Simple ingredients you probably have
✨ Pan sauce is EVERYTHING

Here's the magic: while the pork stays hot, we make the sauce first - apples sautéed with rosemary, then simmered in apple cider until tender, finished with Dijon and butter. Pour it over perfectly seared pork chops and you've got a dinner that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen!

The combination of sweet apples, fragrant rosemary, and tangy Dijon is absolutely PERFECT with pork. Serve with roasted Brussels sprouts and mashed potatoes for the ultimate fall dinner!

Pro tips:
🔸 Use pork chops that are at least 1 inch thick
🔸 Go easy on rosemary (it's powerful!)
🔸 Let pork rest 5 minutes before serving
🔸 Cook to 145°F internal temp for juicy chops

Want the full recipe? Comment PORK below and I'll send it straight to your DMs! 

#DijonApplePorkChops #PorkChops #FallDinner #WeekNightDinner #EasyDinner #PorkRecipes #FallRecipes #QuickDinner #30MinuteMeals #PanSauce #AppleRecipes #FallFlavors #DinnerIdeas #EasyRecipes #WeeknightMeals #PorkChopRecipe #FallCooking #HealthyDinner #HomeCooking #DinnerRecipe #FallFood #QuickRecipes #FoodBlogger #Rosemary #AppleCider #FamilyDinner #SeasonalCooking #ComfortFood #Foodie #DeliciousDinner
These aren't your average buttermilk pancakes! Mad These aren't your average buttermilk pancakes! Made with ground pistachios, honey, and a hint of almond extract, these fluffy pancakes are rich, nutty, and absolutely DELICIOUS. 

What makes these pancakes SPECIAL:
✨ Ground pistachios for nutty flavor (no crunch!)
✨ Honey instead of sugar (pairs perfectly with pistachios)
✨ Almond extract brings out the pistachio flavor
✨ Super fluffy texture (the secret: let the batter rest!)
✨ Unique & impressive breakfast

The ground pistachios give these pancakes an incredible flavor and that gorgeous green tint without adding any crunch to your pancakes. The almond extract enhances the pistachio flavor and creates this rich, nutty taste that's SO good! And using honey instead of regular sugar? Game changer!

Top with butter, maple syrup, and extra crushed pistachios for the ultimate presentation!

Pro tips for FLUFFY pancakes:
🔸 Let the batter rest 15-30 minutes (don't skip this!)
🔸 Only add batter to a HOT pan
🔸 Look for bubbles on top before flipping
🔸 Use buttermilk for that classic fluffy texture

Trust me, once you try these pistachio pancakes, you'll want to make them every weekend! The flavor is incredible and they look so impressive stacked up on a plate.

Want the full recipe? Comment PANCAKES below and I'll send it straight to your DMs! 

#PistachioPancakes #PancakeRecipe #BreakfastRecipe #ButtermilkPancakes #HomemadePancakes #PistachioRecipes #WeekendBrunch #BrunchIdeas #FathersDay #FathersDayBreakfast #BreakfastGoals #FluffyPancakes #BreakfastFromScratch #BrunchRecipe #PancakeLove #PistachioLovers #SpecialBreakfast #WeekendBreakfast #HomemadeBreakfast #BreakfastIdeas #FoodBlogger #BrunchGoals #NuttyFlavors #FancyBreakfast #PancakeStack #MorningGoals #BreakfastTime #Foodie #DeliciousBreakfast
This Sweet Potato Gratin is about to steal the sho This Sweet Potato Gratin is about to steal the show at your holiday table! 

Thinly sliced sweet potatoes baked in a maple-spiced cream sauce and topped with Parmesan cheese. It's the perfect balance of sweet and savory, and honestly? It's EASIER than making mashed potatoes!

Why you'll LOVE this recipe:
✨ Sweet & savory flavor combo (maple + Parmesan!)
✨ Impressive presentation but simple to make
✨ Easier AND faster than mashed potatoes
✨ Creamy inside, crispy golden top
✨ Perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any holiday feast

Here's what makes this gratin special: the sweet potatoes are cooked in a cream sauce with maple sugar (or maple syrup), cinnamon, and nutmeg, then topped with grated Parmesan before baking. 

The result is a gorgeous layered side dish that's creamy, rich, and absolutely delicious! The texture is what sets this apart from traditional sweet potato casserole - those thinly sliced layers give you the perfect bite every time. And that crispy, golden Parmesan top? Chef's kiss 

Pro tips:
🔸 Use a mandolin slicer for perfectly even slices (be careful!)
🔸 Use GRATED Parmesan, not shredded (it melts better!)
🔸 Let it cool 15-20 minutes before serving for best texture
🔸 Can swap maple sugar for maple syrup

This is going straight on my Thanksgiving menu, and I think you should add it to yours too! It's fancy enough to impress but easy enough to not stress about. Win-win! 

Want the full recipe? https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/sweet-potato-gratin/
I combined two breakfast classics into one AMAZING I combined two breakfast classics into one AMAZING treat - fluffy homemade cinnamon rolls filled with sliced bananas, chopped walnuts, brown sugar, and cinnamon. 

These Banana Nut Cinnamon Rolls are the breakfast dream you never knew you needed!

Here's what makes them INCREDIBLE:
✨ Fluffy, gooey homemade cinnamon rolls
✨ Fresh banana slices + crunchy walnuts in every bite
✨ Cream cheese frosting with optional walnut topping
✨ Brown sugar cinnamon filling

The secret? I replaced the egg in the dough with mashed banana, which adds SO much flavor without affecting the texture. 

The rolls come out just as fluffy and soft as traditional cinnamon rolls, but with that amazing banana bread taste we all love!

Yes, homemade cinnamon rolls take time (about 3 hours total with rising), but they are SO WORTH IT. 

The keys to success:
🔸 Use fresh yeast (make sure it foams!)
🔸 Knead the dough for the full 5 minutes
🔸 Don't rush the proofing time - fluffy rolls need time to rise!

These are perfect for weekend brunch, special occasions, or any time you want to seriously impress! The combo of bananas, walnuts, and cinnamon is absolutely divine.

Pro tip: You can prep these the night before! Let them do the second rise in the fridge overnight, then bake fresh in the morning. Your house will smell AMAZING! 

Want the full recipe? https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/banana-nut-cinnamon-rolls/
This Pumpkin Crumb Cake is everything you love abo This Pumpkin Crumb Cake is everything you love about coffeehouse crumb cake, but with cozy pumpkin spice vibes! Dense, moist pumpkin cake topped with the most incredible crispy cinnamon sugar crumbs. It's the perfect fall treat!

What makes this crumb cake SO good:
✨ Whole can of pumpkin puree for maximum flavor
✨ Pumpkin pie spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves)
✨ Super moist, slightly dense texture (in the best way!)
✨ Crispy, buttery cinnamon crumb topping
✨ Perfect with your morning coffee or afternoon tea

This is one of my all-time favorite coffeehouse treats, and the pumpkin version is PERFECT for fall! The cake is incredibly moist thanks to the pumpkin puree, and those crispy crumbs on top add the most satisfying texture contrast. It's divine!

You can serve it warm or at room temperature, and it stays fresh for days (if it lasts that long!). 

Perfect for:
🍂 Fall breakfast or brunch
🎃 Thanksgiving dessert
☕ Weekend coffee date at home
🍁 Cozy autumn afternoons

Pro tip: Make the crumb topping first and chill it in the fridge while you make the batter. This helps the crumbs stay crispy during baking!

Want the full recipe? https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/pumpkin-crumb-cake/

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