holiday favorite

cherry almond pastry cake with a wedge removed

Cherry Almond Pastry Cake

raspberry lime macaron sandwich on a white plate with lime zest garnish

Raspberry Lime Macaron Sandwich

side shot of banana bread doughnuts on a purple plate with more doughnuts in the background

Banana Bread Doughnuts

raspberry chocolate molten cake on a plate with bites removed to reveal the center

Raspberry Chocolate Molten Cakes

two powdered sugar doughnuts on a wood plate with more doughnuts in the background

Powdered Sugar Doughnuts

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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

S’mores Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cookies
February 19, 2012

Did I mention that I’m kind of obsessed with s’mores? S’mores in a jar, s’mores pop tarts, s’mores cupcakes, s’mores brownies…I’ve made them all. So when I had an itch to bake a couple Sundays ago, I went searching through my recipe folders to see what I had bookmarked lately. And there it was…this amazing recipe for s’mores cookies.  Even…
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Homemade Pop Tarts

pastries
February 16, 2012

Homemade Pop Tarts – Flaky pastry filled with your favorite flavors: strawberry jam, brown sugar cinnamon, or s’mores. For this week’s baked good, I decided to make homemade pop tarts. I got the idea from my boss, who told me that he eats them every morning for breakfast. So, I thought, why not make him one from scratch? I’d definitely…
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Aussie Sausage Rolls

appetizer· Tailgating Recipes
January 22, 2012

Aussie Sausage Rolls – A mixture of sausage, diced onions, and spices are rolled in puff pastry and baked to perfection. The perfect appetizer for any event! I’ve been getting requests from every which way, especially from people at work. This week’s request was for a pastry with meat in it…? I’ve never made such a thing but it’s not…
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Cheesecakes!

cake
January 3, 2012

Cheesecakes! – A duo recipe with cappuccino chocolate cheesecake and white chocolate raspberry cheesecake. The first “difficult” thing I learned to make was cheesecake when I was about 14 years old. It was a pretty awesome triple chocolate cheesecake recipe from one of the first cookbooks I ever received. I haven’t made a cheesecake since then. There’s really no reason…
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Peppermint Shortbread Bites

Holiday Favorites
December 31, 2011

Peppermint Shortbread Bites – Super easy peppermint shortbread, slices into mini squares and covered with vanilla icing and crushed peppermint pieces.  This year, I got inspired to make Christmas cookie tins for the family. I kept seeing so many awesome recipes that I wanted to try, so why not share them with everyone? Now, I’ve never made cookie tins before,…
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Parmesan and Gruyere Cheese Souffle

appetizer
December 13, 2011

Parmesan & Gruyere Cheese Souffle – Fluffy eggs are mixed with rich Gruyere cheese and baked into perfectly airy and light cheese souffle This week marks the return of the Recipe Challenge, after a couple-week hiatus (you can blame Thanksgiving, work, and numerous holiday parties for that). Last week, I attempted the #1 hardest thing to make, according to this list:…
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Story behind the blog

Uncategorized
November 6, 2011

At work, we get these AMAZING doughnuts from Sublime Doughnuts every Friday. And when I say amazing, I mean ah-may-zing. If you live in the Atlanta area, and haven’t tried these yet, don’t talk to me until you do. I mean it. Anywho, the reason why I bring this up is because, last Friday, someone decided that they didn’t want…
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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

a baking sheet with banana bread granola and a whole banana on it, shot from a side angle

Banana Bread Granola

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

Pumpkin Tres Leches

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

Brown Sugar Cinnamon Cookie Bars

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

styled shot of of Salted Caramel Ice Cream in a glass dish with an ice cream scooper with sugar cones and a full ice cream cone next to it and a jar and spoon of caramel sauce

Salted Caramel Ice Cream

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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! 

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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/
All your favorite breakfast foods in ONE dish - ba All your favorite breakfast foods in ONE dish - bacon, sausage, eggs, cheese, and CRISPY tater tots on top! This Cheesy Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole is about to become your family's new favorite weekend breakfast.

Here's what makes it AMAZING:
✨ Feeds 8-10 people (perfect for gatherings!)
✨ Crispy golden tater tots on top (not mushy!)
✨ Packed with bacon AND sausage
✨ Sharp cheddar makes it extra cheesy
✨ Easy to customize with your favorites

The tater tots get perfectly crispy and golden on top while everything underneath becomes this incredible cheesy, savory heaven. My husband (who is OBSESSED with breakfast food) said this was one of the best breakfast dishes I've ever made. 

Pro tips:
🔸 Keep tots frozen until you add them to the casserole
🔸 Shred your own cheese for the best melt
🔸 Hot sausage adds flavor without being too spicy
🔸 Let it rest 10 minutes before serving

This is PERFECT for Christmas morning, Easter brunch, Mother's Day, or literally any weekend when you want to treat your family to something special! Plus, the leftovers reheat beautifully for easy breakfasts all week.

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

What do you usually make for family breakfasts? Let me know! 👇

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