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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Chilled Strawberry Bisque

Chilled Strawberry Bisque

appetizer· Easter· soup· Summertime Favorites· Valentine's Day
February 3, 2022

Chilled Strawberry Bisque – Real strawberries are blended with cream, milk, and a hint of sugar to make for a…
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Healthy Greek Nachos

Healthy Greek Nachos

appetizer· Summertime Favorites· Tailgating Recipes
January 20, 2022

Healthy Greek Nachos – English cucumbers are sliced and topped with a mixture of tomatoes, Kalamata olives, feta, and Greek…
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Blackberry Skillet Pound Cake

Blackberry Skillet Pound Cake

cake· dessert· Summertime Favorites
August 26, 2021

Blackberry Skillet Pound Cake – Vanilla pound cake is loaded with fresh blackberries, sprinkled with a sugar crust and baked…
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Grilled Shrimp Summer Salad

Grilled Shrimp Summer Salad

salad· seafood· seafood entrees· Summertime Favorites
August 10, 2021

Grilled Shrimp Summer Salad – Grilled shrimp is placed on top of a bed of romaine lettuce, sliced avocado, and…
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Shrimp & Crab Cake

Shrimp & Crab Cake

appetizer· Easter· seafood· seafood entrees· Summertime Favorites
August 6, 2021

Shrimp & Crab Cake – Lump crab is mixed with pieces of shrimp and breadcrumbs and pan fried to make…
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Wedding Cake Ice Cream

Wedding Cake Ice Cream

cake· ice cream· National Ice Cream Month· Summertime Favorites
July 29, 2021

Wedding Cake Ice Cream – Almond ice cream is loaded with real pieces of white cake and swirls of cream…
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Mint Cookie Ice Cream Cake

Mint Cookie Ice Cream Cake

cake· ice cream· National Ice Cream Month· Summertime Favorites
July 26, 2021

Mint Cookie Ice Cream Cake – This delicious ice cream cake is assembled with mint chocolate chip ice cream, buttery…
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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

a stack of Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies and individual cookies on a sheet pan with chocolate chips around them and a stack of pumpkins in the background, shot from a side angle

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

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

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

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)

photo of cinnamon apple kolaches with granny smith apples in the background

Cinnamon Apple Kolaches

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

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holiday favorite

photo of creme brulee doughnuts stacked together with the top doughnut missing a bite

Crème Brûlée Doughnuts

raspberry chocolate molten cake on a plate with bites removed to reveal the center

Raspberry Chocolate Molten Cakes

overhead shot of slices of pear coffee cake

Pear Coffee Cake

Maple Pecan Scones

styled shot of Traditional English Trifle

Traditional English Trifle

 

This Cacio e Pepe Pasta Risotto changed my pasta g This Cacio e Pepe Pasta Risotto changed my pasta game forever!

After having mind-blowing cacio e pepe at Eataly in Boston, I became obsessed with recreating it at home. But here's the problem: the traditional recipe only makes small portions. So I had a lightbulb moment – what if I cooked it risotto-style to feed a crowd?!

The result? Pure magic. By cooking short pasta (I use ditalini!) slowly in chicken broth, you get an ultra-creamy, luscious texture without any cream. Just simple Italian ingredients: Pecorino Romano cheese, fresh black pepper, butter, and good olive oil.

Here's what makes this amazing:
✨ Feeds a crowd (perfect for dinner parties!)
✨ Only 7 ingredients, but packed with flavor
✨ Takes 30 minutes but worth every second
✨ Creamy without any cream

The key? Using the BEST ingredients – fresh ground black pepper and quality extra virgin olive oil make all the difference. And cooking that pepper in the oil at the beginning? That's what gives it that signature cacio e pepe punch!

Pro tip: Dice those onions super small so they don't overpower each bite. Trust me on this one

Ready to make restaurant-quality Italian pasta at home? Comment "PASTA" below and I'll send the full recipe to your DMs! 

#cacioepepe #pastarisotto #italianfood #pastarecipes #dinnerparty
Black Forest Cupcakes are the ultimate delight! R Black Forest Cupcakes are the ultimate delight!

Rich chocolate cupcakes stuffed with amaretto-roasted cherry compote, topped with fresh whipped cream and a chocolate-dipped cherry. They're basically the fancy cupcake version of the classic German cake, and they're absolutely stunning!

Here's what you need to know:
✨ Made with FRESH cherries (it's their peak season!)
✨ Amaretto instead of Kirsch for better flavor
✨ Three delicious components: cake + filling + topping
✨ Easier than they look – just takes some time

Fun fact: The chocolate represents the Black Forest, while the red and white represent traditional colors worn by women of that region. How beautiful is that? 

These are perfect for gatherings, BBQs, or whenever you want to impress someone with an elegant dessert. Multiple people said these were devoured within 2 days – and I totally believe them!

Pro tip: Make sure everything is completely cooled before assembling, or you'll have a melty mess on your hands 

Ready to make cherry season magic? Comment "CHERRIES" below and I'll send the full recipe straight to your DMs!

#blackforestcake #cherryseason #chocolatecupcakes #summerrecipes #elegantdesserts
The secret to getting kids to eat their veggies? W The secret to getting kids to eat their veggies? Wrap them in puff pastry and cheese.

These Broccoli Cheese Pinwheels are a total game-changer in our house. My kids never want vegetables (ok, who are we kidding – NO kid does), but these? They gobble them up without a single complaint!

Here's what makes them amazing:
✨ Only 4 ingredients – puff pastry, cream cheese, broccoli, and shredded cheese
✨ Ready in 30 minutes from start to finish
✨ Perfect for snacks, lunch boxes, or appetizers
✨ Can make them meal-sized or appetizer-sized

The flaky puff pastry + creamy cheese + tender broccoli combo is chef's kiss. One follower said these were gone in SECONDS at their party and everyone wanted the recipe!

Pro tip: Add some shredded chicken to make these a complete meal!

Want the full recipe with all my tips for perfect pinwheels? Comment "PINWHEELS" below and I'll send it straight to your DMs!

#kidfriendlyrecipes #healthysnacks #puffpastry #pinwheels #hiddenveggie
Pull-apart perfection in every bite! This Apple Pull-apart perfection in every bite! 

This Apple Cinnamon Monkey Bread is the ultimate fall treat – fluffy balls of sweet dough stuffed with warm cinnamon apples, rolled in cinnamon sugar, and baked with a sticky brown sugar glaze. It's basically like a giant apple fritter you can pull apart with your hands!

Apple picking season is actually at its peak RIGHT NOW (did you think it was October too?!) so this is the perfect recipe to make with all those fresh apples 🍏

Here's what you need to know:
✨ Easier than you think – yeast dough isn't scary!
✨ 40 little dough balls = maximum pull-apart fun
✨ Each bite has warm cinnamon apples inside
✨ That brown sugar goo? Chef's kiss

Pro tip: Use a nonstick Bundt pan and grease it REALLY well. Trust me on this one.

Perfect for weekend brunch, holiday mornings, or honestly any time you want to impress your people. One follower said her 5-year-old declared this is what they're giving Santa – so you KNOW it's good!

Want the full recipe with all my tips and tricks? Comment "APPLES" below and I'll send it straight to your DMs! 

#monkeybread #applecinnamon #fallbaking #applerecipes #brunchideas
The FLUFFIEST sweet yeast rolls you'll ever make! The FLUFFIEST sweet yeast rolls you'll ever make!

These beauties are perfectly soft, subtly sweet, and paired with the most incredible whipped pumpkin butter (butter + pumpkin + cinnamon + honey = heaven!).

My husband said these are the best rolls he's ever had, and trust me—he doesn't give compliments lightly 😄

Here's why you need to make these:
✨ Easier than you think (no fancy skills needed!)
✨ Perfectly fluffy and chewy texture
✨ That whipped pumpkin butter is ADDICTIVE
✨ Make ahead and freeze for up to 2 months

Whether it's Thanksgiving, Christmas, or just a cozy family dinner, these rolls will steal the show. The secret? Scalded milk for maximum fluffiness and making sure they're touching in the pan before baking.

Want the full recipe with step-by-step instructions? Comment "ROLLS" below and I'll send it straight to your DMs! 💌
#homemadebread #yeastrolls #thanksgivingrecipes #holidaybaking #pumpkinrecipes

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