• Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Recipes
  • Cookbooks
  • Work With Me
  • Contact

CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Spiced Carrots with Whipped Feta

Spiced Carrots with Whipped Feta

appetizer· Easter· Fall Flavors· sides· snacks
March 15, 2024

Spiced Carrots with Whipped Feta – Organic small carrots are tossed with cumin, paprika and cinnamon and then roasted to…
Read More

Everything Focaccia

Everything Focaccia

bread· snacks
January 9, 2024

Everything Focaccia – Homemade focaccia dough is topped with everything seasoning (salt, poppyseeds, sesame seeds, and onion) and baked to…
Read More

Monte Cristo Pinwheels

Monte Cristo Pinwheels

appetizer· sandwiches & wraps· snacks· Tailgating Recipes
January 5, 2024

Monte Cristo Pinwheels – Puff pastry dough is rolled with black forest ham and Swiss cheese and baked to perfection….
Read More

Grown-up Chocolate Chip Cookies

Grown-up Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cookies· dessert· snacks
October 9, 2023

Grown-up Chocolate Chip Cookies – Chocolate chip cookies loaded with finely chopped pistachios, walnuts, and dried cherries. A sprinkle of…
Read More

Goat Cheese Phyllo Cigars

Goat Cheese Phyllo Cigars

appetizer· Easter· Holiday Favorites· snacks· Valentine's Day
September 4, 2023

Goat Cheese Phyllo Cigars – Thin phyllo dough is filled with goat cheese and herb filling, rolled into cigars, and…
Read More

Brown Sugar Cinnamon Cookie Bars

Brown Sugar Cinnamon Cookie Bars

bars and brownies· Cookies· dessert· Easter· Fall Flavors· Holiday Favorites· snacks
August 22, 2023

Brown Sugar Cinnamon Cookie Bars – Brown sugar cinnamon filing is placed between shortbread cookie layers. It all gets a…
Read More

Fried Onion Petals

Fried Onion Petals

appetizer· snacks
June 8, 2023

Fried Onion Petals – Sweet onion is sliced into petals, seasoned, and fried until perfectly crispy. Served with homemade horseradish…
Read More

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 11
  • Next Page »

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 apple pie slide doughnut sitting on a tray with other doughnuts

Apple Pie Slider Doughnuts

carrot raisin muffins stacked on top of each other and sitting on a purple plate

Carrot Raisin Muffins

zoomed in shot of cut up apple cider caramels

Apple Cider Caramels

autumn kale salad in a blue salad bowl

Autumn Kale Salad

apple cinnamon charlotte sitting on a plate with cinnamon sabayon sliced in half to reveal the apples in the center

Apple Cinnamon Charlotte

overhead shot of spiced carrots on a bed of whipped feta dip

Spiced Carrots with Whipped Feta

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

Breakfast
Appetizers
Entrees
Salads
Sides
Drinks
Desserts
Roundups
Holidays

Browse by Date

  • Home
  • About Me
  • Contact Me
  • Privacy Policy

holiday favorite

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

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

a trio of gingerbread souffles on a serving platter

Gingerbread Soufflé

berry pavlova sitting on a baking sheet with parchment paper

Berry Pavlova

fingers holding a chocolate berry fritter with a wire rack with more fritters and mixed berries surrounding them, shot from a side angle

Chocolate Berry Fritters

 

Creamy Poblano Enchiladas – tortillas stuffed wi Creamy Poblano Enchiladas – tortillas stuffed with shredded chicken, covered in a creamy poblano sauce and cheese, then baked until creamy perfection! 

I'm more of a green enchiladas fan than red, you guys! While this sauce isn't traditional green enchilada sauce, it's got similar flavor notes! Plus, with the added milk, it's super creamy and decadent! 

The secret? A roux makes the sauce ultra creamy without needing tons of heavy cream!

Pro tip: Don't skip the lime juice! It's KEY to balancing out the flavors – this is NOT an optional ingredient!

Perfect for Cinco de Mayo, dinner parties, family dinners, or anytime you want creamy enchiladas! 🎉

💬 Comment "POBLANO" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for Cinco de Mayo
📤 SHARE with someone who loves enchiladas!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/creamy-poblano-enchiladas/
Beef Empanadas – flaky pie dough filled with cum Beef Empanadas – flaky pie dough filled with cumin-spiced beef and tomato mixture!

These are perfect for Cinco de Mayo, you guys! Small party-perfect size (makes about 20!) with super flavorful filling that's NOT spicy – everyone will love them! 😍

Made with my classic pie dough for the flakiest crust, then filled with seasoned beef, onions, and tomatoes!

Pro tip: Make sure to chill the dough before rolling it out – this lets it rest and firm up so it gets nice and flaky while baking!

Perfect for Cinco de Mayo parties, game day, meal prep, or anytime you want delicious hand-held snacks!

💬 Comment "EMPANADAS" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for party planning
📤 SHARE with someone who loves empanadas!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/beef-empanadas
Apple Pie Sundae – cinnamon crumble ice cream to Apple Pie Sundae – cinnamon crumble ice cream topped with caramelized cinnamon apples, pie crust chips, and caramel sauce to make a fun way to eat your favorite pie! 

You guys, this is apple pie DECONSTRUCTED! All the flavors you love but in sundae form! 

I was inspired by a restaurant dessert but knew I could take it up a few notches! I added crispy pie crust chips and caramel sauce (because apples + caramel = perfection!), and the result is INCREDIBLE!

Pro tip: Use a cast-iron skillet to caramelize the apples – it gives them better color and flavor than a non-stick pan! And cook them just 8-10 minutes so they still have bite and aren't mushy!

Perfect for National Ice Cream Month, summer treats, fall desserts, or anytime you want apple pie without baking a whole pie! 🥧

💬 Comment "APPLESUNDAE" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for dessert inspiration
📤 SHARE with ice cream lovers!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/apple-pie-sundae/
Chocolate Cream Pie – flaky pie crust baked to p Chocolate Cream Pie – flaky pie crust baked to perfection, filled with chocolate pudding, and topped with fresh whipped cream that won't wilt!

This is THE pie to make if you're trying to switch up your holiday traditions, you guys! Sometimes you need a break from pumpkin pie and pecan pie!

The genius secret? Unflavored gelatin in the whipped cream makes it stable so it won't wilt or melt – you can make this ahead!

Pro tip: Add the hot milk to the eggs VERY slowly or the eggs will scramble and the pudding will get lumpy!

Perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine's Day, Easter, or anytime you want chocolate cream perfection! 

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/chocolate-cream-pie

💬 Comment "CHOCPIE" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for holiday desserts
📤 SHARE with someone who loves chocolate pie!
Banana Bread Granola – oats tossed with pecans, Banana Bread Granola – oats tossed with pecans, walnuts, banana puree, honey, and cinnamon to make a crunchy snack that tastes (and smells!) just like banana bread! 🍌

I never thought homemade granola would be worth the effort, you guys! But the effort is minimal and the end result is SO worth it! 

My favorite part? The SMELL! When it bakes, the banana and cinnamon create an aroma almost exactly like baking banana bread – it's intoxicating!

Pro tip: You MUST use super ripe bananas for this recipe – they have more sugar so you don't need tons of honey!

Perfect for breakfast bowls, yogurt topping, snacking, or anytime you want banana bread in granola form! 

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/banana-bread-granola/

💬 Comment "GRANOLA" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for breakfast ideas
📤 SHARE with someone who loves banana bread!

Copyright © 2026 Certified Pastry Aficionado · Web Design by Viva la Violet