holiday favorite

a bowl of Butterscotch Vanilla Bean Sauce with a spoon in it and a bowl of brown sugar with a spoon in it on a cloth napkin, shot from a side angle

Butterscotch Vanilla Bean Sauce

Pigs in a Blanket Wreath on parchment paper with thyme sprigs and a dish of dipping sauce in the center with cans of dr pepper and plates in the background, shot from a side angle

Pigs in a Blanket Wreath

plate of Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Snowballs with one on top with a bite out of it and cinnamon sticks next to them, shot from the front

Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Snowballs

Goat Cheese Phyllo Cigars

styled shot of Monster Cookies

Monster Cookies

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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

three Cookies & Cream Cupcakes with chocolate chips spread around and a cloth napkin in the background, shot from the front

Cookies & Cream Cupcakes

cake· dessert
February 11, 2019

Cookies & Cream Cupcakes – Vanilla cake is speckled with chunks of Oreo cookies, topped with Oreo buttercream frosting, and finished with a dollop of chocolate ganache to make for the most decadent cupcake you’ve ever had Happy birthday to me! Birthdays have changed their meaning for me over the years. I used to look forward to the gifts but…
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Coconut Tres Leches on a platter with slices taken out of it, shot from the front

Coconut Tres Leches

dessert· Summertime Favorites
February 7, 2019

Coconut Tres Leches – Traditional tres leches is given a tropical makeover with the addition of coconut cream and toasted coconut. I was serious when I said I was jumping headfirst into sweets this month. First, I started with this red velvet loaf and earlier this week, I posted this dark chocolate raspberry fudge. And now I have one of the…
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Dark Chocolate Raspberry Fudge spread out on a piece of parchment paper one with a bite out of it with raspberries and chocolate chips next to them, shot from a side angle

Dark Chocolate Raspberry Fudge

candy· dessert· Valentine's Day
February 4, 2019

Dark Chocolate Raspberry Fudge – Easy, creamy dark chocolate fudge swirled with raspberry puree. Who else is struggling this morning?? Mondays are rough enough but Mondays after the Super Bowl are the WORST. It could be worse, though, a lesson I learned a couple years ago when I hosted a Super Bowl party. I will not be hosting any more,…
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slices and a load of Red Velvet Loaf on a cutting board with a striped towel under it, shot from a side angle

Red Velvet Loaf

cake· dessert· Valentine's Day
January 31, 2019

Red Velvet Loaf – Ultra-moist red velvet loaf cake topped with fluffy cream cheese frosting Okay I’m taking a break from all this healthy eating. Gimme me all the chocolate! It’s funny what one month of healthy eating will do to a person, especially a person who loves sweets as much as me! I’ve officially been on Weight Watchers for…
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a pot of Poblano Corn Chowder with a ladle in the pot on top of a striped cotton napkin, shot from overhead

Poblano Corn Chowder

soup
January 28, 2019

Poblano Corn Chowder – A creamy corn chowder loaded with poblano pepper, Yukon gold potatoes, and sharp cheddar cheese. It’s the comfort food you need on any cold night! Brrrr. Who else is feeling some of the coldest weather all season right now??? Later this week, we’re getting lows into the teens! You’ll find me huddled indoors as much as…
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Peanut Butter Banana Bites on top of a piece of parchment paper one with a bite out of it with a spoon with peanut butter and a banana in the background, shot from a side angle

Peanut Butter Banana Bites

dessert· snacks
January 24, 2019

Peanut Butter Banana Bites – Sliced bananas are topped with peanut butter and dipped in chocolate to make a yummy, guilt-free treat that is great fresh or frozen! Hello, I’m Sharon and I’m a walking cliche. Like everyone else in America, I am spending January in the healthy zone. I know, how original. But I have an excuse and she’s…
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a bowl filled with Chocolate Cinnamon Granola on a tray with granola on it and a stick of cinnamon, shot from a side angle

Chocolate Cinnamon Granola

breakfast· snacks
January 21, 2019

Chocolate Cinnamon Granola – Classic cinnamon granola is given a chocolatey makeover with the addition of cocoa powder and mini chocolate chips. You’ll be shocked at how great the cinnamon and chocolate pairs together! Granola is one of my favorite things to make at home. I never knew how easy it was to make or else I would have been 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

angled view of cup of dirt pudding

Cup of Dirt Pudding

zoomed in shot of chocolate snickerdoodles on parchment paper with a spoon in front, shot from a side angle

Chocolate Snickerdoodles

apple pie egg roll dipping in caramel sauce

Apple Pie Egg Rolls

overhead shot of partially eaten baked carrot cake oatmeal in casserole dish with serving spoon

Baked Carrot Cake Oatmeal

front shot of sweet potato cornbread in a cast iron skillet

Sweet Potato Cornbread

a bowl of Butterscotch Vanilla Bean Sauce with a spoon in it and a bowl of brown sugar with a spoon in it on a cloth napkin, shot from a side angle

Butterscotch Vanilla Bean Sauce

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Grilled Bang Bang Shrimp Skewers – grilled shrim Grilled Bang Bang Shrimp Skewers – grilled shrimp covered in a spicy, creamy, sweet chili sauce!

Grilling is my FAVORITE, you guys! Those charred grill marks add SO much flavor! This is my grilled twist on the classic fried Bang Bang Shrimp from that upscale seafood restaurant – healthier and just as delicious! 

The sauce is simply mayo + sweet chili sauce + sriracha. SO easy!

Pro tip: Taste your sauce first and add more sriracha if needed – mine was too mild so I kept adding more! And soak those wooden skewers for 30 minutes so they don't catch fire!

Perfect for summer BBQs, pool parties, or anytime you want easy grilled appetizers! 

💬 Comment "BANGBANG" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for grilling season
📤 SHARE with someone who loves shrimp!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/grilled-bang-bang-shrimp-skewers

#BangBangShrimp #GrilledShrimp #ShrimpSkewers #BBQRecipes #GrilledSeafood #ShrimpRecipes #PoolPartyFood #OutdoorCooking #SummerFood
Carrot Snack Cake – a single-layer carrot cake t Carrot Snack Cake – a single-layer carrot cake topped with homemade cream cheese frosting and sprinkled with chopped pecans!

Easter isn't the same without carrot cake, but who has time for a three-layer version anymore? Not me! This snack cake has ALL the classic flavors – cinnamon, carrot, nutmeg, brown sugar, pecans – with HALF the effort! 

Made in a 9x9 pan and you can even frost it right in the pan for extra simplicity!
Pro tip: Freshly shred your carrots – they're softer and taste SO much better than pre-shredded matchstick carrots!

Perfect for Easter, spring gatherings, potlucks, or anytime you want carrot cake without the fuss! 

💬 Comment "CARROTCAKE" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for easy baking
📤 SHARE with someone who loves carrot cake!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/carrot-snack-cake/
#CarrotCake #CarrotSnackCake #EasterDessert #SpringDesserts #EasyCake #CakeRecipes #HomemadeCake #SpringBaking #EasyDessert #SheetCake
Mixed Berry Fool – a no-bake British dessert mad Mixed Berry Fool – a no-bake British dessert made from sweetened smashed berries folded into fresh whipped cream!

I learned about this from my Great British Baking Show binges, you guys! A "fool" is just crushed fruit folded into whipped cream – SO simple! This version uses strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries for the perfect spring treat!

Everyone in my family loved this! Creamy, light, tart, and sweet all at once!
Pro tip: Chill the berries for 15 minutes but DON'T let them freeze – stir occasionally to prevent ice crystals!

Perfect for Easter, Valentine's Day, spring brunches, or anytime you need an elegant no-bake dessert! 🌸

💬 Comment "BERRYFOOL" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for spring entertaining
📤 SHARE with someone who loves berries

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/mixed-berry-fool

#MixedBerryFool #BerryFool #NoBakeDessert #SpringDesserts #BritishDessert #EasterDessert #BerryDessert #FreshBerries #SummerDessert #BrunchDessert
Apple Pie Slider Doughnuts – rich brioche doughn Apple Pie Slider Doughnuts – rich brioche doughnuts tossed in cinnamon sugar, sliced in half, and stuffed with gooey fried apples! 

I LOVE slider doughnuts, you guys! They're stuffed with SO much filling that you can't just pump it into the center – you have to slice them like a burger bun! These fall-inspired beauties are filled with sticky, sweet, crispy fried apples!

The secret? Brioche dough chilled overnight makes them extra tender and fluffy. Don't worry when they turn super brown when frying – that's just the extra butter and eggs!

Pro tip: Use a candy thermometer to keep oil at 360°F – perfect temp for fluffy doughnuts!

Perfect for brunch or anytime you want bakery-level doughnuts at home! 

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

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/apple-pie-slider-doughnuts/

#ApplePieDoughnuts #SliderDoughnuts #HomemadeDoughnuts #BriocheDoughnuts #ApplePie #DoughnutRecipes #CinnamonSugar #FallTreats #BreakfastIdeas
Garlic Parmesan Pull-Apart Bread – homemade pizz Garlic Parmesan Pull-Apart Bread – homemade pizza dough balls tossed in herb butter, garlic, and Parmesan, baked into a gorgeous loaf and served with marinara!

This is the ULTIMATE party appetizer, you guys! My husband couldn't stop eating it – he ate HALF the loaf himself!  Each fluffy ball pulls right off and it's SO fun to eat!

The secret? Baking in a Bundt pan creates the perfect round shape with a center just big enough for marinara dipping sauce!

Pro tip: Remove from the pan while it's still hot – when it cools, the grease solidifies and makes it harder to remove!

Perfect for game day, pasta night, tailgating, or anytime you need a crowd-pleasing appetizer! 

💬 Comment "BREAD" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for your next party
📤 SHARE with someone who loves garlic bread!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/garlic-parmesan-pull-apart-bread/

#GarlicBread #PullApartBread #GarlicParmesanBread #PartyAppetizers #GameDayFood #HomemadeBread #BreadRecipes #AppetizerRecipes #PizzaDough #ItalianFood #TailgatingFood #ComfortFood

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