holiday favorite

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

Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes

Gingerbread Biscotti on parchment paper

Gingerbread Biscotti

Sweet Corn Risotto with Crispy Shrimp - Creamy, cheesy homemade risotto is taken up a notch with fresh sweet yellow corn and paired perfect with SeaPak Butterfly Shrimp and Clos du Bois Chardonnay.

Sweet Corn Risotto with Crispy Shrimp (+ wine pairing)

Black & White Bundt Cake

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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

a stack of three pumpkin oatmeal cream pies on cotton napkins with a platter behind it with more pies in the background, shot from the front

Pumpkin Oatmeal Cream Pies

Cookies· dessert· Fall Flavors· Holiday Favorites· Popular Recipes
September 6, 2018

Pumpkin Oatmeal Cream Pies – Vanilla frosting is sandwiched between two chewy pumpkin oatmeal cookies to make the perfect spiced cookie for the fall season Happy September! Labor Day has come and gone which means…Fall is coming!! Football started this past weekend, I’m already seeing pumpkins in grocery stores, and Halloween costume ideas are flooding my Pinterest feed. Man, Fall is…
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a basket lined with parchment paper Cilantro Lime Sweet Potato Fries with a bowl of ranch next to it, shot from a side angle

Cilantro Lime Sweet Potato Fries

appetizer· sides· snacks· Tailgating Recipes
August 30, 2018

Cilantro Lime Sweet Potato Fries – Sweet potatoes are tossed in garlic, lime zest, and olive oil, baked to perfection, and finished with a sprinkle of fresh chopped cilantro Alright guys – the moment you’ve been waiting for is finally here…I have some baby photos to share! We received our newborn shots of baby Luciana and I’m proud to show…
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a glass of Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie on a cloth napkin with bananas nuts and a bottle of chocolate, shot from a side angle

Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

drinks· smoothies
August 23, 2018

Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie – Chocolate, peanut butter, banana, and frozen yogurt are blended together to make a killer afternoon snack It’s officially been 2 weeks since baby girl has been home with us! It’s been a challenging two weeks but also quite rewarding. I can already tell how much she’s grown and cannot wait to watch her continue…
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No-Knead Harvest Wheat Bread in a pot with parchment paper in it on top of a cloth napkin, shot from overhead

No-Knead Harvest Wheat Bread

bread
August 16, 2018

No-Knead Harvest Wheat Bread – This chewy, rustic bread is speckled with golden raisins, dried cranberries, and walnuts and is super easy to make with this no-knead recipe. Before we get started with today’s recipe, I have an announcement – our baby girl has arrived! Luciana Elizabeth Glascoe was born last week at 7 pounds, 11 ounces and is the…
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zoomed in shot of PB&J doughnuts on a plate sprinkled with peanuts and a mug of coffee in the background, shot from the front

PB&J Doughnuts

breakfast· dessert· doughnuts and sweet rolls· Easter
August 9, 2018

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #CanYouCoffee #CollectiveBias PB&J Doughnuts – Fluffy yeast doughnuts are stuffed with strawberry jelly and covered in peanut butter glaze to make the best pairing for a hot cup of Dunkin’ Donuts coffee. We do not mess around with coffee in our house. My husband…
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collage image of the best cookie recipes with descriptive text

The Best Cookie Recipes!

Cookies· round-up
August 2, 2018

A collection of incredible cookie recipes and cookie-inspired recipes from Certified Pastry Aficionado over the years One of my favorite traditions here at CPA has been the monthly cookie recipe. It started as a way to try new cookie recipes (because who can have enough cookie recipes…) but it has turned into a fun way to rethink the flavors, textures,…
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a glass dish of Peanut Butter Hot Fudge with a spoon in it with hot fudge dripping down the side on top of a cotton napkin with chocolate chips sprinkled in front with a spoon with peanut butter on it, shot from the front

Peanut Butter Hot Fudge

candy· dessert· Valentine's Day
July 30, 2018

Peanut Butter Hot Fudge – Peanut butter and chocolate come together to make a rich hot fudge perfect for topping your ice cream or other desserts And just like that, National Ice Cream Month is coming to a close. Anyone else feel like summer just flew by?! Schools here in Atlanta are already starting back up on Wednesday. How crazy…
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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

styled shot of a stack of chocolate pecan pie cheesecake bars

Chocolate Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars

plate of Pumpkin Cheesecake Macarons with a gourd in the background, shot from the front

Pumpkin Cheesecake Macarons

a trio of gingerbread souffles on a serving platter

Gingerbread Soufflé

stacked maple walnut cookies on a red orange napkin and one cookie with a bite removed

Maple Walnut Cookies

styled shot of Sweet Yeast Rolls on a plate with a bowl of Whipped Pumpkin Butter and a basket of rolls and a pumpkin in the background, shot from a side angle

Sweet Yeast Rolls with Whipped Pumpkin Butter

Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes

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This Cacio e Pepe Pasta Risotto changed my pasta g This Cacio e Pepe Pasta Risotto changed my pasta game forever!

After having mind-blowing cacio e pepe at Eataly in Boston, I became obsessed with recreating it at home. But here's the problem: the traditional recipe only makes small portions. So I had a lightbulb moment – what if I cooked it risotto-style to feed a crowd?!

The result? Pure magic. By cooking short pasta (I use ditalini!) slowly in chicken broth, you get an ultra-creamy, luscious texture without any cream. Just simple Italian ingredients: Pecorino Romano cheese, fresh black pepper, butter, and good olive oil.

Here's what makes this amazing:
✨ Feeds a crowd (perfect for dinner parties!)
✨ Only 7 ingredients, but packed with flavor
✨ Takes 30 minutes but worth every second
✨ Creamy without any cream

The key? Using the BEST ingredients – fresh ground black pepper and quality extra virgin olive oil make all the difference. And cooking that pepper in the oil at the beginning? That's what gives it that signature cacio e pepe punch!

Pro tip: Dice those onions super small so they don't overpower each bite. Trust me on this one

Ready to make restaurant-quality Italian pasta at home? Comment "PASTA" below and I'll send the full recipe to your DMs! 

#cacioepepe #pastarisotto #italianfood #pastarecipes #dinnerparty
Black Forest Cupcakes are the ultimate delight! R Black Forest Cupcakes are the ultimate delight!

Rich chocolate cupcakes stuffed with amaretto-roasted cherry compote, topped with fresh whipped cream and a chocolate-dipped cherry. They're basically the fancy cupcake version of the classic German cake, and they're absolutely stunning!

Here's what you need to know:
✨ Made with FRESH cherries (it's their peak season!)
✨ Amaretto instead of Kirsch for better flavor
✨ Three delicious components: cake + filling + topping
✨ Easier than they look – just takes some time

Fun fact: The chocolate represents the Black Forest, while the red and white represent traditional colors worn by women of that region. How beautiful is that? 

These are perfect for gatherings, BBQs, or whenever you want to impress someone with an elegant dessert. Multiple people said these were devoured within 2 days – and I totally believe them!

Pro tip: Make sure everything is completely cooled before assembling, or you'll have a melty mess on your hands 

Ready to make cherry season magic? Comment "CHERRIES" below and I'll send the full recipe straight to your DMs!

#blackforestcake #cherryseason #chocolatecupcakes #summerrecipes #elegantdesserts
The secret to getting kids to eat their veggies? W The secret to getting kids to eat their veggies? Wrap them in puff pastry and cheese.

These Broccoli Cheese Pinwheels are a total game-changer in our house. My kids never want vegetables (ok, who are we kidding – NO kid does), but these? They gobble them up without a single complaint!

Here's what makes them amazing:
✨ Only 4 ingredients – puff pastry, cream cheese, broccoli, and shredded cheese
✨ Ready in 30 minutes from start to finish
✨ Perfect for snacks, lunch boxes, or appetizers
✨ Can make them meal-sized or appetizer-sized

The flaky puff pastry + creamy cheese + tender broccoli combo is chef's kiss. One follower said these were gone in SECONDS at their party and everyone wanted the recipe!

Pro tip: Add some shredded chicken to make these a complete meal!

Want the full recipe with all my tips for perfect pinwheels? Comment "PINWHEELS" below and I'll send it straight to your DMs!

#kidfriendlyrecipes #healthysnacks #puffpastry #pinwheels #hiddenveggie
Pull-apart perfection in every bite! This Apple Pull-apart perfection in every bite! 

This Apple Cinnamon Monkey Bread is the ultimate fall treat – fluffy balls of sweet dough stuffed with warm cinnamon apples, rolled in cinnamon sugar, and baked with a sticky brown sugar glaze. It's basically like a giant apple fritter you can pull apart with your hands!

Apple picking season is actually at its peak RIGHT NOW (did you think it was October too?!) so this is the perfect recipe to make with all those fresh apples 🍏

Here's what you need to know:
✨ Easier than you think – yeast dough isn't scary!
✨ 40 little dough balls = maximum pull-apart fun
✨ Each bite has warm cinnamon apples inside
✨ That brown sugar goo? Chef's kiss

Pro tip: Use a nonstick Bundt pan and grease it REALLY well. Trust me on this one.

Perfect for weekend brunch, holiday mornings, or honestly any time you want to impress your people. One follower said her 5-year-old declared this is what they're giving Santa – so you KNOW it's good!

Want the full recipe with all my tips and tricks? Comment "APPLES" below and I'll send it straight to your DMs! 

#monkeybread #applecinnamon #fallbaking #applerecipes #brunchideas
The FLUFFIEST sweet yeast rolls you'll ever make! The FLUFFIEST sweet yeast rolls you'll ever make!

These beauties are perfectly soft, subtly sweet, and paired with the most incredible whipped pumpkin butter (butter + pumpkin + cinnamon + honey = heaven!).

My husband said these are the best rolls he's ever had, and trust me—he doesn't give compliments lightly 😄

Here's why you need to make these:
✨ Easier than you think (no fancy skills needed!)
✨ Perfectly fluffy and chewy texture
✨ That whipped pumpkin butter is ADDICTIVE
✨ Make ahead and freeze for up to 2 months

Whether it's Thanksgiving, Christmas, or just a cozy family dinner, these rolls will steal the show. The secret? Scalded milk for maximum fluffiness and making sure they're touching in the pan before baking.

Want the full recipe with step-by-step instructions? Comment "ROLLS" below and I'll send it straight to your DMs! 💌
#homemadebread #yeastrolls #thanksgivingrecipes #holidaybaking #pumpkinrecipes

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