holiday favorite

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

Cherry Almond Soufflé

cranberry lime mojitos with cranberries and slices of lime

Cranberry Lime Mojitos

zoomed in shot of a plate of stacked chocolate gingerbread truffles with one with a bite out of it, shot from a side angle

Chocolate Gingerbread Truffles

Pecan Pie Brownies

zoomed in shot of sour cream doughnuts and donut holes on a cloth napkin, shot from a side angle

Sour Cream Doughnuts

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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

zoomed in shot of citrus almond salad on a trivet, shot from a side angle

Citrus Almond Salad

chicken entrees· salad· Summertime Favorites
May 11, 2020

Citrus Almond Salad – Romaine lettuce is tossed with fresh orange segments, sliced almonds, feta cheese, diced chicken, dried cranberries, and a homemade citrus vinaigrette. The weather is finally warming up and I am all about the fresh produce now. I’ve been making homemade grapefruit soda, eating oranges nonstop, and even whipping up a peach cobbler because I was craving…
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plate of Thai chicken curry on rice with a fork on it with another plate of curry and a cloth napkin in the background, shot from overhead

The Easiest Thai Chicken Curry

chicken entrees· entrees
May 8, 2020

The Easiest Thai Chicken Curry – This red curry chicken is so simple but oh so flavorful. And with the secret ingredient of peanut butter, it’ll take the sauce to the next level! Thai food is some of my favorite. I first had it when eating out with coworkers and I am so happy they encouraged me to try it!…
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two shrimp ceviche tostadas with slices of avocado on top and cucumbers tomatoes and onions spread around on a platter on a cloth napkin, shot from overhead

Shrimp Ceviche Tostadas

appetizer· seafood· seafood entrees· Summertime Favorites
May 4, 2020

Shrimp Ceviche Tostadas – Poached shrimp tossed with a citrus vinaigrette, cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions and placed on top of homemade tostada shells. Cinco de Mayo is tomorrow and let’s face it – it’s just not going to be the same. We’re all going to be enjoying our Mexican treats from home this year, whether you order takeout from your…
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zoomed in show of a bowl of Mexican street corn queso topped with corn and jalapenos with tortilla chips next to the bowl, shot from a side angle

Mexican Street Corn Queso

appetizer· dips· snacks· Summertime Favorites· Tailgating Recipes
April 30, 2020

Mexican Street Corn Queso – Creamy white queso is cooked with green chiles and roasted corn to make for a yummy twist on the classic cheese dip. Who else is snacking wayyyyy more than they like to admit while stuck at home? It’s so hard to stay away from the pantry when you’re home 24/7. I’ve been trying to eat…
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Twice Baked Potatoes

appetizer· sides· Summertime Favorites
April 27, 2020

Twice Baked Potatoes – Russet potatoes are baked to soften them up and then the filling is mixed with cheese, sour cream, and bacon and stuffed back into the potato skins to make a side dish suitable for any event! Who else is in dire need of new recipes to switch thing sup at home? *Raises hand* After weeks of…
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Baked Pesto Eggs

breakfast· Easter
April 20, 2020

Baked Pesto Eggs – Baked eggs are cooked in a individual bowls with cream, milk, and yummy basil pesto to make for a unique and easy breakfast. Today’s recipe is a great way to spice up a weekday breakfast without much hassle at all. It stems from my love of over-easy eggs and pesto. But sometimes I don’t have the…
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a slice of cinnamon swirl doughnut bread with a fork cutting it in with the other half of the bread next to it on a piece of parchment paper and a cloth napkin, shot from a side angle

Cinnamon Swirl Doughnut Loaf

breakfast· cake· doughnuts and sweet rolls· Easter· Holiday Favorites
April 17, 2020

Cinnamon Swirl Doughnut Loaf – A yummy loaf cake that has the texture of cake doughnuts and cinnamon flavor swirled throughout. I decided to use this extra time at home to work through saved recipes that I’ve been meaning to try but just never did. You know what I’m talking about… we all have these recipes. For one reason or…
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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 slice of apple cinnamon stuffed french toast on a plate with powdered sugae

Apple Cinnamon Stuffed French Toast

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

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

a slice of chocolate pecan pie on a plate with another plate of pie in the background, shot from a side angle

Chocolate Pecan Pie

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

Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Sage Browned Butter

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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