holiday favorite

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

Maple Molasses Cookies

nutella fruit waffle on a white plate with waffles and fruit in the background

Nutella Fruit Waffle

plate of mini ham and cheese quiche with caramelized onions and a plan of quiche in the back

Mini Ham & Cheese Quiche with Caramelized Onions

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

Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew

Maple Pecan Scones

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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

shot of fresh broccoli salad with crispy bacon in a bowl with a wooden spoon

Fresh Broccoli Salad with Crispy Bacon

appetizer· Easter· salad· sides· Summertime Favorites
January 3, 2017

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #LeanCuisine #CollectiveBias Fresh Broccoli Salad with Crispy Bacon – Crispy raw broccoli, Spanish peanuts, golden raisins, and crispy bacon are mixed together with a creamy Greek yogurt dressing to make the best broccoli salad you will ever try. Great as a salad or…
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a Pretzel Bite being dipped into a bowl of Beer Cheese Dip

Pretzel Bites and Beer Cheese Dip

appetizer· Popular Recipes· snacks· Tailgating Recipes
December 29, 2016

Pretzel Bites and Beer Cheese Dip – The perfect snack for your party and tailgate needs. You won’t be able to resist these soft & chewy pretzel bites and creamy beer cheese dip. The last few days have been glorious, ya’ll. I’m on vacation all week with no plans at all. So all I’ve been doing is blogging, coloring in my…
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collage image of best recipes of 2016 with descriptive text

Best Recipes of 2016

round-up
December 27, 2016

Man, what a year! 2016 sure has been a memorable one, that’s for sure. As you remember, I started this blog back up again in July 2016. And it’s been one of my best decisions all year. Food is such a passion of mine and I am so blessed to have a means to share that passion with you all….
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overhead shot of baked pita chips

Sage and Browned Butter Pita Chips

snacks
December 22, 2016

Sage and Browned Butter Pita Chips – The perfect harmony of sage and browned butter come together with pita chips to take this snack to the next level. Ready in less than 20 minutes! Three days until Christmas?! Who’s ready?! I have one final gift coming tomorrow and then I’m all set. I know, this is last minute but I…
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overhead shot of Cinnamon Roll Wreath

Cinnamon Roll Wreath

breakfast· doughnuts and sweet rolls· Easter· Holiday Favorites
December 19, 2016

Cinnamon Roll Wreath – A fun, new way to serve a plate of cinnamon rolls for breakfast or brunch. Your guests will go crazy for the presentation, as well as the taste of these cinnamon rolls! I typically plan out the recipes I share with you all pretty far in advance. I have a list of favorite recipes and they’re all…
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styled shot of Chocolate Espresso Snowcaps

Chocolate Espresso Snowcaps

Cookies· Holiday Favorites· Valentine's Day
December 15, 2016

Chocolate Espresso Snowcaps – A chewy, chocolate cookie with a hint of espresso and then rolled in powdered sugar. They’ll remind you of little bites of brownie but with a little wintery snow on top. We’re getting closer to Christmas, guys!! What?! Where did this month go??? I feel like I’ve barely dipped my feet into the pool of holiday cheer…
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Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate styled with a spoon being dipped into it

Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate

drinks· Holiday Favorites
December 12, 2016

Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate – A yummy, comforting hot chocolate, with a special new addition: creamy peanut butter! Ready in less than 10 minutes. Ya,’ll, guess what?! It’s finally cold here! Woohoo! Remember last month when I was complaining about the 80-degree temps? No longer! Yesterday it was a high of 40 degrees. Yessssss! And, of course, I busted out…
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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

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

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

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

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

photo of cinnamon apple kolaches with granny smith apples in the background

Cinnamon Apple Kolaches

a cinnamon stick being dipped into a mug of mulled wine with another mug of mulled wine and a glass dish of mulled spices in the background, shot from a side angle

Slow Cooker Mulled Wine

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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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