holiday favorite

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

overhead shot of slices of pear coffee cake

Pear Coffee Cake

cranberry lime mojitos with cranberries and slices of lime

Cranberry Lime Mojitos

a bowl of Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Bread Pudding topped with ice cream with a casserole dish with bread pudding and two pumpkins stacked on top of each other in the background, shot from a side angle

Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Bread Pudding

picture of mixed berry almond tart dusted with powdered sugar shot at an angle from the front

Mixed Berry Almond Tart

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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

two Peanut Butter Chocolate Ice Cream Whoopie Pies stacked together with a bowl of ice cream and two pints of ice cream behind it, shot from the front

Peanut Butter Chocolate Ice Cream Whoopie Pies

Cookies· dessert· ice cream· National Ice Cream Month· Summertime Favorites
July 2, 2018

This post has been sponsored by High Road Ice Cream. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Peanut Butter Chocolate Ice Cream Whoopie Pies – The classic whoopie pie is stuffed with incredible High Road Peanut Butter Chocolate ice cream to make for a delicious ice cream sandwich. Happy July, everyone! 4th of July is only 2 short days away….
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Caesar Pasta Salad in a glass bowl with a wooden spoon next to it, shot from overhead

Caesar Pasta Salad

appetizer· Easter· pizza & pasta· salad· sides· Summertime Favorites
June 28, 2018

Caesar Pasta Salad – Penne pasta is tossed with your favorite Caesar salad ingredients to make for an incredible side dish for any occasion Summer is the season for pasta salads. Why is that? Maybe because we all love to get our pasta fix but also want something cool and refreshing?? Yeah, that sounds about right! I’ve never been a…
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a platter of Red, White, and Blue Pie Bars with slices of pie bars next to it on parchment paper, shot from overhead

Red, White, and Blue Pie Bars

bars and brownies· pie· Summertime Favorites
June 25, 2018

Red, White, and Blue Pie Bars – Cherry and blueberry pie filling are loaded into a soft, cakey bar that is finished with a gorgeous white glaze. The next holiday is upon us, folks – 4th of July is almost a week away! I am, of course, ready to bring you a patriotic treat to serve all your guests during…
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Mango Coconut Sticky Rice in a dish on top of a cloth napkin with shredded coconut sprinkled around with a rice cooker in the background, shot from a side angle

Mango Coconut Sticky Rice (+giveaway!)

sides
June 21, 2018

I received the Rice and Hot Cereal Cooker used in this recipe from Hamilton Beach but, as always, all opinions are my own.  Mango Coconut Sticky Rice – Short-grain rice is cooked with coconut milk and fresh mango to give this side dish a tropical feel! Produce season is in full swing and I’m showing no signs of stopping when…
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zoomed in shot of sour cream doughnuts and donut holes on a cloth napkin, shot from a side angle

Sour Cream Doughnuts

breakfast· doughnuts and sweet rolls· Easter· Holiday Favorites· pastries
June 18, 2018

Sour Cream Doughnuts – Dense and crispy on the outside, moist and cakey on the inside, these sour cream doughnuts are your favorite cake doughnuts that are ready in half the time as yeast doughnuts! Doughnuts have always been a weakness of mine. Some of my happiest memories are when my dad would surprise us with a dozen doughnuts on…
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three Chicken Ranch Wraps stacked on top of each other on a plate and sprinkled with cilantro with a jar of ranch in the background, shot from the front

Chicken Ranch Wraps

appetizer· chicken entrees· snacks
June 14, 2018

Chicken Ranch Wraps – Flour tortillas are stuffed with grilled chicken, Monterrey jack cheese, ranch dressing, and chopped cilantro and then grilled to heat through and seal. Perfect for snacks, dinner, or parties! Easy dinners never get old. And with a baby on the way, I’m gonna need a whole lot more of these to get me through those hectic…
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a bowl of Blueberry Crème Brûlée with a spoon in it and three blueberries and mint on top of a cloth napkin with more blueberries surrounding the bowl, shot from a side angle

Blueberry Crème Brûlée

dessert· Easter· Summertime Favorites· Valentine's Day
June 11, 2018

Blueberry Crème Brûlée  – This classic French dessert takes a refreshing, summer turn with the addition of plump blueberries. It’s the perfect way to enjoy this rich dessert in the summer! Before we get into the recipe for today, let me welcome you to the new and improved Certified Pastry Aficionado blog. I am so in love with this new design…
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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

Apple Pie Cake

two pints of high road ice cream stacked on top of each other with glass dishes of apple pie sundaes next to them and an apple slice and a apple cut in half in front, shot from the front

Apple Pie Sundae

oatmeal rolls sitting on a baking sheet

Oatmeal Dinner Rolls

Roasted Brussel Sprouts in a baking dish with melted butter and a spoon in it, shot from a side angle

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Honey Mustard Vinaigrette

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

Pumpkin Cheesecake Macarons

three Sweet Potato Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting on a platter with two cupcakes on a pedestal on top of cotton napkin with whole pecans sprinkled around, shot from a side angle

Sweet Potato Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

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These Dijon Apple Pork Chops are proof that weekni These Dijon Apple Pork Chops are proof that weeknight dinners can be BOTH quick and fancy!

Perfectly cooked pork chops topped with a Dijon apple pan sauce made with fresh apples, rosemary, apple cider, and a touch of Dijon mustard. It's fall flavors at their finest, and it's ready in just 30 minutes!

Why you'll LOVE this recipe:
✨ Quick weeknight dinner (30 minutes!)
✨ Fall flavors you can enjoy all season
✨ Restaurant-quality at home
✨ Simple ingredients you probably have
✨ Pan sauce is EVERYTHING

Here's the magic: while the pork stays hot, we make the sauce first - apples sautéed with rosemary, then simmered in apple cider until tender, finished with Dijon and butter. Pour it over perfectly seared pork chops and you've got a dinner that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen!

The combination of sweet apples, fragrant rosemary, and tangy Dijon is absolutely PERFECT with pork. Serve with roasted Brussels sprouts and mashed potatoes for the ultimate fall dinner!

Pro tips:
🔸 Use pork chops that are at least 1 inch thick
🔸 Go easy on rosemary (it's powerful!)
🔸 Let pork rest 5 minutes before serving
🔸 Cook to 145°F internal temp for juicy chops

Want the full recipe? Comment PORK below and I'll send it straight to your DMs! 

#DijonApplePorkChops #PorkChops #FallDinner #WeekNightDinner #EasyDinner #PorkRecipes #FallRecipes #QuickDinner #30MinuteMeals #PanSauce #AppleRecipes #FallFlavors #DinnerIdeas #EasyRecipes #WeeknightMeals #PorkChopRecipe #FallCooking #HealthyDinner #HomeCooking #DinnerRecipe #FallFood #QuickRecipes #FoodBlogger #Rosemary #AppleCider #FamilyDinner #SeasonalCooking #ComfortFood #Foodie #DeliciousDinner
These aren't your average buttermilk pancakes! Mad These aren't your average buttermilk pancakes! Made with ground pistachios, honey, and a hint of almond extract, these fluffy pancakes are rich, nutty, and absolutely DELICIOUS. 

What makes these pancakes SPECIAL:
✨ Ground pistachios for nutty flavor (no crunch!)
✨ Honey instead of sugar (pairs perfectly with pistachios)
✨ Almond extract brings out the pistachio flavor
✨ Super fluffy texture (the secret: let the batter rest!)
✨ Unique & impressive breakfast

The ground pistachios give these pancakes an incredible flavor and that gorgeous green tint without adding any crunch to your pancakes. The almond extract enhances the pistachio flavor and creates this rich, nutty taste that's SO good! And using honey instead of regular sugar? Game changer!

Top with butter, maple syrup, and extra crushed pistachios for the ultimate presentation!

Pro tips for FLUFFY pancakes:
🔸 Let the batter rest 15-30 minutes (don't skip this!)
🔸 Only add batter to a HOT pan
🔸 Look for bubbles on top before flipping
🔸 Use buttermilk for that classic fluffy texture

Trust me, once you try these pistachio pancakes, you'll want to make them every weekend! The flavor is incredible and they look so impressive stacked up on a plate.

Want the full recipe? Comment PANCAKES below and I'll send it straight to your DMs! 

#PistachioPancakes #PancakeRecipe #BreakfastRecipe #ButtermilkPancakes #HomemadePancakes #PistachioRecipes #WeekendBrunch #BrunchIdeas #FathersDay #FathersDayBreakfast #BreakfastGoals #FluffyPancakes #BreakfastFromScratch #BrunchRecipe #PancakeLove #PistachioLovers #SpecialBreakfast #WeekendBreakfast #HomemadeBreakfast #BreakfastIdeas #FoodBlogger #BrunchGoals #NuttyFlavors #FancyBreakfast #PancakeStack #MorningGoals #BreakfastTime #Foodie #DeliciousBreakfast
This Sweet Potato Gratin is about to steal the sho This Sweet Potato Gratin is about to steal the show at your holiday table! 

Thinly sliced sweet potatoes baked in a maple-spiced cream sauce and topped with Parmesan cheese. It's the perfect balance of sweet and savory, and honestly? It's EASIER than making mashed potatoes!

Why you'll LOVE this recipe:
✨ Sweet & savory flavor combo (maple + Parmesan!)
✨ Impressive presentation but simple to make
✨ Easier AND faster than mashed potatoes
✨ Creamy inside, crispy golden top
✨ Perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any holiday feast

Here's what makes this gratin special: the sweet potatoes are cooked in a cream sauce with maple sugar (or maple syrup), cinnamon, and nutmeg, then topped with grated Parmesan before baking. 

The result is a gorgeous layered side dish that's creamy, rich, and absolutely delicious! The texture is what sets this apart from traditional sweet potato casserole - those thinly sliced layers give you the perfect bite every time. And that crispy, golden Parmesan top? Chef's kiss 

Pro tips:
🔸 Use a mandolin slicer for perfectly even slices (be careful!)
🔸 Use GRATED Parmesan, not shredded (it melts better!)
🔸 Let it cool 15-20 minutes before serving for best texture
🔸 Can swap maple sugar for maple syrup

This is going straight on my Thanksgiving menu, and I think you should add it to yours too! It's fancy enough to impress but easy enough to not stress about. Win-win! 

Want the full recipe? https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/sweet-potato-gratin/
I combined two breakfast classics into one AMAZING I combined two breakfast classics into one AMAZING treat - fluffy homemade cinnamon rolls filled with sliced bananas, chopped walnuts, brown sugar, and cinnamon. 

These Banana Nut Cinnamon Rolls are the breakfast dream you never knew you needed!

Here's what makes them INCREDIBLE:
✨ Fluffy, gooey homemade cinnamon rolls
✨ Fresh banana slices + crunchy walnuts in every bite
✨ Cream cheese frosting with optional walnut topping
✨ Brown sugar cinnamon filling

The secret? I replaced the egg in the dough with mashed banana, which adds SO much flavor without affecting the texture. 

The rolls come out just as fluffy and soft as traditional cinnamon rolls, but with that amazing banana bread taste we all love!

Yes, homemade cinnamon rolls take time (about 3 hours total with rising), but they are SO WORTH IT. 

The keys to success:
🔸 Use fresh yeast (make sure it foams!)
🔸 Knead the dough for the full 5 minutes
🔸 Don't rush the proofing time - fluffy rolls need time to rise!

These are perfect for weekend brunch, special occasions, or any time you want to seriously impress! The combo of bananas, walnuts, and cinnamon is absolutely divine.

Pro tip: You can prep these the night before! Let them do the second rise in the fridge overnight, then bake fresh in the morning. Your house will smell AMAZING! 

Want the full recipe? https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/banana-nut-cinnamon-rolls/
This Pumpkin Crumb Cake is everything you love abo This Pumpkin Crumb Cake is everything you love about coffeehouse crumb cake, but with cozy pumpkin spice vibes! Dense, moist pumpkin cake topped with the most incredible crispy cinnamon sugar crumbs. It's the perfect fall treat!

What makes this crumb cake SO good:
✨ Whole can of pumpkin puree for maximum flavor
✨ Pumpkin pie spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves)
✨ Super moist, slightly dense texture (in the best way!)
✨ Crispy, buttery cinnamon crumb topping
✨ Perfect with your morning coffee or afternoon tea

This is one of my all-time favorite coffeehouse treats, and the pumpkin version is PERFECT for fall! The cake is incredibly moist thanks to the pumpkin puree, and those crispy crumbs on top add the most satisfying texture contrast. It's divine!

You can serve it warm or at room temperature, and it stays fresh for days (if it lasts that long!). 

Perfect for:
🍂 Fall breakfast or brunch
🎃 Thanksgiving dessert
☕ Weekend coffee date at home
🍁 Cozy autumn afternoons

Pro tip: Make the crumb topping first and chill it in the fridge while you make the batter. This helps the crumbs stay crispy during baking!

Want the full recipe? https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/pumpkin-crumb-cake/

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