holiday favorite

overhead shot of pistachio creme brulee with a few bites take out and sugar cracked

Pistachio Crème Brulee

slice of pistachio loaf on a cutting board with the rest of the loaf in the background

Pistachio Loaf

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

Honey Wheat Bread Loaves

two chocolate cherry crepes on a plate with powdered sugar dusted on top

Chocolate Cherry Crepes

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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

chicken and biscuits in a dutch oven overhead shot

Chicken and Dumplings

chicken entrees· Fall Flavors
November 2, 2022

Chicken and Dumplings – Fluffy dumplings are cooked in a pot of homemade creamy chicken soup, making for the ultimate comfort food. These Chicken and Dumplings have been a family favorite recipe every since last winter. It’s comforting, easy, and sooooo yummy. The hearty, rich soup is the perfect accompaniment to the fluff, buttery dumplings. You just can’t go wrong…
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close up of sweet potato sticky bun with marshmallow fluff

Sweet Potato Sticky Buns

dessert· doughnuts and sweet rolls· pastries
October 30, 2022

Sweet Potato Sticky Buns – Sweet dough is wrapped up with a sweet potato paste, baked in a gooey sauce, and then finished off with a homemade marshmallow fluff that get’s torched until lightly burnt on the outside. Sticky buns are a favorite of mine. I love the gooey, sticky tops and the chewy dough centers. But today I have…
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overhead shot of pumpkin churros on a plate of cinnamon sugar

Pumpkin Churros

dessert· Fall Flavors· pastries
October 23, 2022

Pumpkin Churros – Pumpkin choux dough is fried up in hot oil and then tossed in cinnamon sugar. Churros are one of those treats that taste incredible homemade. They aren’t dried out from being in a warmer all day, like they tend to be at amusement parks. When they are fresh from the fryer, they are crispy on the outside…
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close up of fried cheese curd getting dipped into homemade buttermilk ranch

Fried Cheese Curds with Buttermilk Ranch

appetizer· snacks· Tailgating Recipes
October 17, 2022

Fried Cheese Curds with Buttermilk Ranch – Cheese curds are dipped in a beer batter and fried to golden perfection. Served with a homemade buttermilk ranch made with chives, dill, and parsley. I hadn’t really made any fun homegating recipes for you this season so today’s is one you can serve for any watch party – football, baseball, basketball, heck,…
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front shot of bowl of loaded potato soup with shredded cheese and crispy bacon bits on top

Loaded Potato Soup

soup
October 13, 2022

Loaded Potato Soup – Creamy soup is loaded with chunks of potato, sour cream, cheddar cheese, and bacon. A sprinkling of diced scallions gives this soup the full loaded potato look and taste. Hello soup season! The weather has turned cool here so that means comfort food is on the stove and/or in the oven. And what’s more comforting than…
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overhead shot of slices of pear coffee cake

Pear Coffee Cake

cake· dessert· Fall Flavors· Holiday Favorites
October 10, 2022

Pear Coffee Cake – Slightly spiced coffee cake is sprinkled with fresh pears and topped with a cinnamon oatmeal streusel Pears just don’t get enough respect. Apples are the shining fruit of the fall season, but many don’t know that pears become perfectly ripe this time of year, too. I love pears but I am also guilty of not using…
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overhead shot of cheddar crusted apple pie with lattice crust

Cheddar Crusted Apple Pie

Fall Flavors· pie
October 4, 2022

Cheddar Crusted Apple Pie – A classic apple pie filling is loaded into a buttery cheddar cheese crust with a lattice pattern on top. You cannot go through fall without making a pie. It’s a must-do! This year, my family and I did some apple picking so we were primed for pie-making. I even have some apples leftover after making…
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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 hand holding up a cinnamon bun soft pretzel

Cinnamon Bun Soft Pretzels

close up of two brown sugar cinnamon cookie bars stacked on top of each other

Brown Sugar Cinnamon Cookie Bars

a baking sheet with banana bread granola and a whole banana on it, shot from a side angle

Banana Bread Granola

Maple Pecan Scones

angled view of cup of dirt pudding

Cup of Dirt Pudding

two copper mugs filled with holiday mule drinks and a pitcher in the background

Holiday Mule

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Classic Pot Roast – chuck roast slowly cooked in Classic Pot Roast – chuck roast slowly cooked in a jus made of beef broth, carrots, celery, and onions! Balsamic vinegar, thyme, and mustard give that jus a kick of flavor! 

Cold weather is in full effect, you guys! So comfort food needs to be on the menu! My husband wanted to try a good pot roast, so I used a combination of recipes to come up with the perfect one! 

The secret? Traditional aromatics (carrots, celery, onions) PLUS balsamic vinegar and Dijon mustard set this roast apart with a tangy kick!

Pro tip: Sear the roast first to give it beautiful color on the outside – if you skip this step, the meat will look almost gray when cooked in the broth!

💬 Comment "POTROAST" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for comfort meals
📤 SHARE with someone who loves pot roast!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/classic-pot-roast/
Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Sage Browned Butter – Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Sage Browned Butter – fluffy pillows of sweet potato dumplings tossed in a sage and browned butter sauce for a comforting pasta dish you didn't know you needed! 

This gnocchi was inspired by a dish I had at a local restaurant years ago, you guys! I was skeptical about sweet potato gnocchi with just butter and sage – no cream? no tomato? But MAN, was I wrong! 

The sweet potato gnocchi is even MORE flavorful than the original! It shines on its own with little help from a heavy sauce – that's why it pairs so perfectly with a light toss in sage and browned butter!

Pro tip: Use a potato ricer to break up the sweet potatoes – don't use a food processor or it will make the gnocchi gummy and pasty! The ricer makes it super fluffy!

Perfect for fall dinners, Thanksgiving, date nights, or anytime you want restaurant-quality comfort food at home! 

💬 Comment "GNOCCHI" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for fall cooking
📤 SHARE with someone who loves pasta!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/sweet-potato-gnocchi-with-sage-browned-butter/
Sour Cream Doughnuts – dense and crispy on the o Sour Cream Doughnuts – dense and crispy on the outside, moist and cakey on the inside! Your favorite old-fashioned cake doughnuts ready in half the time as yeast doughnuts!

These are also known as old-fashioned doughnuts, you guys! They're bulky, firm on the outside, but oh-so-moist on the inside! The BEST combination of textures – crunchy yet chewy, dense yet moist! 

I fell in love with these at a local bakery, and now my husband surprises me with them from time to time! Do I have a great man or what?!

Pro tip: Don't roll the dough too thin or the doughnuts will turn to hockey pucks when you fry them! You're better off making the dough too thick than too thin!

Perfect for weekend breakfast, Easter morning, brunch, or anytime you want homemade doughnuts without the wait! 

💬 Comment "DOUGHNUTS" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for weekend baking
📤 SHARE with someone who loves doughnuts!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/sour-cream-doughnuts
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

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