holiday favorite

overhead shot of finish amaretto baba cake before slicing

Amaretto Baba Cake

a plate with a slice of stone fruit tart and slices of fruit in the background, shot from the front

Stone Fruit Tart

overhead shot of fig and goat cheese crostini on a serving platter

Fig & Goat Cheese Crostini

two stemmed glasses of Cranberry Orange Aperol Spritz with orange slices and rosemary sprigs with cramberries rosemary and half an orange on the table underneath, shot from the front

Cranberry Orange Aperol Spritz

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

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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

a baking sheet with Easy Sheet-pan Zucchini Gratin on it, shot from overhead

Easy Sheet-pan Zucchini Gratin

sides
January 17, 2019

Easy Sheet-pan Zucchini Gratin – The effort for making zucchini gratin is cut in half, thanks to this easy sheet-pan recipe, made with mozzarella, panko breadcrumbs, and Parmesan cheese.  And I’m back!! I’m sorry I’ve left you without a new recipe in more than 2 months – being a new mom has really taken a toll on my schedule. I found…
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slices of iced pumpkin scones drizzled with frosting on a wire rack on top of parchment paper, shot from overhead

Iced Pumpkin Scones

breakfast· Fall Flavors· Holiday Favorites· pastries
November 15, 2018

Iced Pumpkin Scones – Perfectly spiced pumpkin scones covered in icing to make for a sweet breakfast treat That’s right…I’ve got more pumpkin coming at ya! You can try to hate on the pumpkin fad, but the truth is, pumpkin is popular for a reason – cause it’s gosh-darn delicious! Today’s pumpkin recipe is a tribute to the first-ever pumpkin treat…
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slices of Pumpkin Banana Bread on a cotton napkin with walnuts sprinkled around and bananas in the background, shot from a side angle

Pumpkin Banana Bread

bread· cake· dessert· Fall Flavors· Popular Recipes
November 1, 2018

Pumpkin Banana Bread – Ultra-moist banana bread gets even better with the addition of pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice. Man, is it already November?! Where has this year gone?? I know I’ve said this before, but having a newborn has completely thrown off my sense of time. Can you relate?? I feel like all my time and energy has gone…
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Monster Cookie Bars cut and spread around on parchment paper with M&M's spread around, shot from a side angle

Monster Cookie Bars

bars and brownies· Cookies
October 4, 2018

Monster Cookie Bars – All the flavors of the classic monster cookie – peanut butter, oatmeal, chocolate chips, M&M’s,- but now in an easy-to-make bar! Man, this year sure has flown by, hasn’t it?! I cannot believe we are already heading into October. Before you know it, we’ll be buying a Christmas tree and decking the halls! As you are well-aware,…
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collage image of best recipes for home gating with descriptive text

The Best Recipes for Homegating

appetizer· round-up· snacks· Tailgating Recipes
September 27, 2018

Homegating – a gathering of friends and family to watch sports at someone’s home. I’ve been a fan of homegating for the last few years. Maybe I’m getting old but the process of setting up a tailgate or even going to a bar to watch a game seems so exhausting. And expensive! Therefore, I much rather spend my afternoon in…
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a whisking bowl with Garlic & Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes with a wooden spoon in it, shot from overhead

Garlic & Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes

Easter· Holiday Favorites· sides
September 20, 2018

Garlic & Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes – Rustic Yukon gold mashed potatoes made with roasted garlic and extra virgin olive oil The Fall Equinox is this week! That means, Fall officially begins on that day, September 23rd. So if you’ve been resisting the onslaught of pumpkins, fall leaves, and pictures of apple picking, then get ready…it’s about to get a…
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loaded totchos on a baking sheet with parchment paper on it drizzled with ranch tomatoes and green onions, shot from overhead

Loaded Totchos

appetizer· snacks· Tailgating Recipes
September 13, 2018

Loaded Totchos – Crispy tater tots are covered in cheddar and Monterey jack cheeses, bacon, diced tomatoes, and drizzled with sour cream. Hooray for the start of football season! We’re about two weeks in and I am loving every second of it. Even with a newborn around, we still manage to watch college games all Saturday long. However, I must…
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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

pint glass of pumpkin cream cold brew coffee with a metal straw

Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew

plate of stack of pistachio pancakes with a bite of them on a fork with pistachios sprinkled around on a cloth napkin, shot from overhead

Pistachio Pancakes

zoomed in shot of Sage & Browned Butter Hasselback Sweet Potatoes, shot from a side angle

Sage & Browned Butter Hasselback Sweet Potatoes

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

Brown Sugar Cinnamon Cookie Bars

picture of apple pecan farro salad served on a white plate

Apple Pecan Farro Salad

a hand holding up a maple molasses cookie to show all the detailed cracks in the top of the cookie

Maple Molasses Cookies

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This Cranberry Apple Crumble is my absolute favori This Cranberry Apple Crumble is my absolute favorite alternative to apple pie - and here's why you're gonna love it too!

First of all, let's be real... making pie is SUCH a process. Make dough, chill dough, roll out dough, make filling, create pretty top crust, bake. It's just too much, especially during the holidays! And don't even get me started on that first slice that NEVER comes out pretty. I usually keep it for myself to save the embarrassment 😅

But THIS? This is SO much easier! It's the same balance of fruit and carbs you crave in a pie but with like half the effort. Plus it's scoopable, so no messy slicing! Hallelujah!

The cranberries pair SO beautifully with the apples - I've been embracing cranberries a lot more this year and I'm so glad I did! The tart berries balance perfectly with the sweet apples and that buttery crumble topping.

A few tips that will help you:
1️⃣ Slice the apples, don't dice them - better apple to cranberry ratio
2️⃣ Fresh or frozen cranberries work! DO NOT use dried
3️⃣ Let the crumb mixture chill for at least 10 minutes so it hardens up
4️⃣ Granny Smith apples hold their texture perfectly when baked

This crumble is warm, comforting, and absolutely irresistible. The only thing that can make it better is that generous scoop of vanilla ice cream melting on top! 🤤
Perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or honestly any time you want something delicious without all the pie stress!

Want the full recipe? 💌 Comment "CRUMBLE" below and I'll send you the link!

#AppleCrumble #HolidayBaking #EasyDesserts #AppleDesserts #CranberryDessert  #DessertRecipes #ComfortFood #AppleRecipes
Okay so I need to talk to you about these Salami & Okay so I need to talk to you about these Salami & Cheese Rolls because they're basically my new obsession! 

I've been on a serious bread-making kick lately (there's just something about that smell, you know?!) and these rolls are EVERYTHING. They're kinda like stromboli but with way more bread, which honestly is exactly how I like it!

Here's what makes them SO good:
🔥 Light on the filling, HEAVY on that chewy bread
🔥 Stuffed with salami, mozzarella, and fresh basil
🔥 Topped with cherry tomatoes and rosemary
🔥 Served with a parmesan herb dipping oil that will BLOW YOUR MIND

Guys, about that dipping oil... I'm telling you right now it's NOT optional. That spicy, garlicky, herby goodness takes these rolls to a whole other level. Trust me on this!

The best part? These are surprisingly easy to make! You can even use store-bought pizza dough if you're short on time (though I give you my homemade recipe too because that fresh bread smell is unbeatable).

Perfect for game day, parties, or honestly just because it's Tuesday and you deserve something delicious!

Want the full recipe? Comment 'ROLLS' and I'll send you the link!

#SalamiCheeseRolls #HomemadeBread #BreadRecipe #Stromboli #GameDayFood #AppetizersRecipe #ItalianFood
These Strawberry White Chocolate Eclairs are WAY e These Strawberry White Chocolate Eclairs are WAY easier to make than you'd think!

I know what you're thinking - "Sharon, those look fancy and complicated!" But hear me out! Pâte à choux (that's the fancy French pastry dough) is literally just water, butter, flour, and eggs. That's IT!

I first made this dough for my white chocolate cream puffs and had SO much fun that I decided to level up with éclairs. But classic just isn't my style, so I made them STRAWBERRY WHITE CHOCOLATE! 🍓

Here's what makes these so good:
✨ Homemade strawberry pastry cream (thick, custardy, and SO pink!)
✨ Light and airy pâte à choux shells
✨ White chocolate ganache on top
✨ Dusted with freeze-dried strawberry powder
✨ Perfect for Valentine's Day, bridal showers, or anytime you want something impressive!

The filling process is actually kinda therapeutic - you just pipe the cream into each end until they're nice and full. And that white chocolate dip? Chef's kiss

Critical tips:
🎯 Keep the oven closed for the first 20 min or they'll deflate!
🎯 Use white chocolate BARS, not chips (they won't melt right)
🎯 The shells should be golden brown with NO foaming on top
🎯 Find freeze-dried strawberries in the produce or dried fruit section

These are perfect for impressing your friends, date night at home, or just treating yourself because you deserve it! The strawberry and white chocolate combo is absolutely heavenly.

Want to try them? 💌 Comment 'ECLAIRS' below and I'll send you the link to the full recipe!

#StrawberryWhiteChocolateEclairs #Eclairs #HomemadeEclairs #PateAChoux #FrenchPastry #ValentinesDayDesserts
Sliders are becoming my go-to burger and I'm SO ex Sliders are becoming my go-to burger and I'm SO excited to share these Italian Cheeseburger Sliders with you! 

Here's why you'll LOVE these:
✨ Smaller than regular burgers (less mess, more fun!)
✨ Crispy, juicy patties using the SMASH technique
✨ Balsamic caramelized onions that are SO simple but SO flavorful
✨ Fresh mozzarella + peppery arugula + Italian seasoning
✨ Adorable ciabatta rolls

The best part? These cook WAY faster than regular burgers because they're smaller! Perfect for when you're hungry NOW.

Fun fact: The colors actually match the Italian flag - red onions, green arugula, white mozzarella! How cute is that?! 

I used the smash burger technique instead of grilling and WOW. The patties get super crispy on the outside while staying juicy inside. Game. Changer.

Want the full recipe? 💌 Comment 'SLIDERS' below and I'll send you the link!

#ItalianCheeseburgerSliders #SliderRecipe #SmashBurgers #BurgerRecipe #GameDayFood #TailgatingRecipes #EasyDinner
Raspberry and chocolate is a match made in heaven! Raspberry and chocolate is a match made in heaven! I just love how the juicy, tart raspberries balance out even the darkest chocolate. This combo is hard to beat, especially around this time of year!

I took my favorite molten chocolate cake recipe and made it even BETTER by adding fresh raspberry puree and a fresh raspberry in the center. The result? Pure indulgence!

These mini molten cakes are:
🍫 The perfect individual serving size (no more giant cakes!)
🍓 Light yet completely decadent
💕 Romantic and festive with those gorgeous colors
⚡ Ready in just 35 minutes total

The best part? That gooey, molten center with the surprise raspberry inside! Every bite is heaven.

Want the complete recipe? Comment 'MOLTEN' below and I'll send you the link!

#RaspberryChocolateMoltenCake #MoltenCake #ChocolateLavaCake #ValentinesDayDessert #RaspberryChocolate

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