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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

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….
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Bourbon Peach Smash

Bourbon Peach Smash

drinks· Summertime Favorites· Tailgating Recipes
August 14, 2023

Bourbon Peach Smash – Fresh peaches are smashed with mint leaves, bourbon whiskey, and a little honey and then served…
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Pesto Cheese Rolls

Pesto Cheese Rolls

appetizer· bread· Easter· Holiday Favorites· pizza & pasta· Tailgating Recipes
August 7, 2023

Pesto Cheese Rolls – Homemade yeasted dough is rolled with mozzarella and pesto and baked until golden brown. It’s just…
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Buffalo Chicken Sliders

Buffalo Chicken Sliders

appetizer· chicken entrees· sandwiches & wraps· Tailgating Recipes
May 26, 2023

Buffalo Chicken Sliders – Buffalo chicken nuggets are loaded into soft sweet rolls and topped with homemade blue cheese sauce…
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Cheeseburger Egg Rolls

Cheeseburger Egg Rolls

appetizer· beef entrees· snacks· Tailgating Recipes
May 15, 2023

Cheeseburger Egg Rolls – Ground beef is flavored with mustard and a little Worcestershire and then stuffed into a wonton…
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Loaded French Fries

Loaded French Fries

appetizer· snacks· Tailgating Recipes
May 8, 2023

Loaded French Fries – French fries are topped with caramelized onions, American cheese, and a homemade burger sauce. The best…
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Beef Empanadas

Beef Empanadas

appetizer· beef entrees· snacks· Tailgating Recipes
May 2, 2023

Beef Empanadas – These beef empanadas are made with my classic pie dough and filled with a beef and tomato…
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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

Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes

front shot of sweet potato cornbread in a cast iron skillet

Sweet Potato Cornbread

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)

zoomed in shot of a bowl of sweet potato gnocchi, shot from a side angle

Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Sage Browned Butter

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

Carrot Raisin Muffins

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

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

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holiday favorite

two bowls of goat cheese sweet corn grits with a spoon in it on a cotton napkin with corn cobs next to it, shot from overhead

Goat Cheese & Sweet Corn Grits

close up of a slice of pumpkin crumb cake separated from the rest of the cake but not on a plate yet

Pumpkin Crumb Cake

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

Apple Cinnamon Monkey Bread

autumn kale salad in a blue salad bowl

Autumn Kale Salad

photo of two glasses of sangria with the pitcher in the background

Cranberry Apple Sangria

 

Cannoli Cones – An easy way to make a homemade c Cannoli Cones – An easy way to make a homemade cannoli without the hassle of frying cannoli shells. Made with sugar ice cream cones which are stuffed with homemade cannoli cream and dipped in your favorite cannoli toppings. 

Recipe: http://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/cannoli-cones/
Fried Onion Petals – Sweet onion is sliced into Fried Onion Petals – Sweet onion is sliced into petals, seasoned, and fried until perfectly crispy. Served with homemade horseradish sauce.

The inspiration for this snack comes from the Bloomin’ Onion at Outback Steakhouse. Making a whole onion seems so intimidating so I never thought to make it at home. But then the thought came to me – why not fried them in little petals instead? They’re also easier to dip than onion rings.

Without further ado, here are the Fried Onion Petals: https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/fried-onion-petals/
Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken – Chicken breasts ar Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken – Chicken breasts are stuffed with a garlic herb goat cheese and pan fried until they are cooked through. These are perfect for fun, yet easy weeknight dinner.

Recipe: https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/goat-cheese-stuffed-chicken/
Double Chocolate Biscotti – Chocolate cookies ar Double Chocolate Biscotti – Chocolate cookies are loaded with chocolate chips and baked twice to make them extra crispy and perfect for dunking into your favorite hot beverage.

Biscotti is the dessert I never knew I needed. I discovered them in college when I craved a snack while studying for finals. I bought a biscotti at the library coffee shop and dunked it in my coffee. The cookie that I thought was too crunchy suddenly turn soft and chewy. Yum!

Those memories inspired me to make my own biscotti. First, I made these gingerbread biscotti. And then I made this pistachio version. Now, I’m recreating the biscotti I first had many years ago – Double Chocolate Biscotti.

RECIPE: https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/double-chocolate-biscotti/
Classic Fruit Tarts – Rich vanilla pastry cream Classic Fruit Tarts – Rich vanilla pastry cream is filled into a buttery mini tart shell and covered with fresh fruit.

I decided to share a recipe that is (1) perfect to serve during the holidays and (2) absolutely gorgeous to look at. And with that, I present to you my Classic Fruit Tarts!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/classic-fruit-tarts/

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