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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Cookies & Cream Popcorn

Cookies & Cream Popcorn

snacks· Tailgating Recipes
January 24, 2018

This post has been sponsored by Frito-Lay. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Cookies & Cream Popcorn – SMARTFOOD®…
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Fudge Striped Cookies

Fudge Striped Cookies

Cookies· Holiday Favorites· Valentine's Day
January 2, 2018

Fudge Striped Cookies – Buttery shortbread cookies sandwiched with chocolate ganache and striped with chocolate.  Happy New Year!! I hope…
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Peanut Butter Blossoms

Peanut Butter Blossoms

Cookies· dessert· Holiday Favorites
December 7, 2017

Peanut Butter Blossoms – Chewy, yet fluffy peanut butter cookies are baked and then topped with a milk chocolate Hershey Kiss. The perfect…
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Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cookies· Fall Flavors
November 2, 2017

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies – Soft and fluffy pumpkin cookies sprinkled with chocolate chips and perfectly spiced with cinnamon Happy…
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Cinnamon Chocolate Muffins

Cinnamon Chocolate Muffins

breakfast· Fall Flavors· Holiday Favorites· muffins· Valentine's Day
October 30, 2017

Cinnamon Chocolate Muffins – Chewy triple chocolate muffins are spiced with cinnamon and topped with cinnamon sugar for the perfect…
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Sea Salt Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookies

Sea Salt Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cookies· dessert· Valentine's Day
August 31, 2017

Sea Salt Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookies – Chewy chocolate chip cookies are given a gourmet makeover with the addition of…
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Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake Pops

Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake Pops

cake· Cookies· Valentine's Day
August 3, 2017

Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake Pop – The classic flavors of a chocolate chip cookies smashed into a mini cake pop. Made…
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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

close up of pretzel bread pudding slice on a plate in a pool of whiskey sauce

Pretzel Bread Pudding

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

Banana Bread Granola

overhead shot of quinoa harvest salad on a plate

Quinoa Harvest Salad

zoomed in shot of cut up apple cider caramels

Apple Cider Caramels

pumpkin cinnamon pull apart loaf with a center slice visable

Pumpkin Cinnamon Pull Apart Loaf

overhead shot of Parmesan & Thyme Potatoes Au Gratin in a baking dish

Parmesan & Thyme Potatoes Au Gratin

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

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holiday favorite

two copper mugs filled with holiday mule drinks and a pitcher in the background

Holiday Mule

photo of two glasses of sangria with the pitcher in the background

Cranberry Apple Sangria

a short glass with a gold rim filled with cherry bourbon spritz and a garnish of rosemary twig

Cherry Bourbon Spritz

apple cinnamon charlotte sitting on a plate with cinnamon sabayon sliced in half to reveal the apples in the center

Apple Cinnamon Charlotte

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

Powdered Sugar Doughnuts

 

Who else has mall food court nostalgia?! This Foo Who else has mall food court nostalgia?!

This Food Court Bourbon Chicken is an EXACT replica of that sweet, sticky chicken you used to get at the mall! Tender chicken thighs in a glossy bourbon sauce that's perfectly balanced between sweet and savory. And the best part? It's ready in under 30 minutes and everything cooks in ONE POT!

Here's why you need this:
✨ Tastes just like the mall version (maybe better!)
✨ Ready in under 30 minutes
✨ One pot = easy cleanup
✨ Perfect over white rice

Remember walking through the mall, getting that free sample, and immediately getting in line? This is that chicken! The sauce is made with brown sugar, soy sauce, bourbon, ginger, and garlic – it becomes this incredible sticky, syrupy glaze that coats every piece of chicken perfectly.

Pro tips:
🍗 Use dark meat chicken (stays tender!)
🍳 Let it brown before stirring (builds flavor!)
🥃 The alcohol cooks out, leaving just the flavor
🌾 Serve over rice with extra sauce!

Perfect for:
🥡 Weeknight dinners
🍱 Meal prep
😋 When you're craving takeout
🏠 Nostalgic food court memories

Honestly, this is so much better than having to go to the mall (no crowds, no parking hassles!). Just pure delicious chicken in that signature sweet bourbon sauce you remember.

Ready to bring the food court home? Comment "BOURBON" below and I'll send the full recipe straight to your DMs! 

#bourbonchicken #copycatrecipes #easydinner
This Mocha Trifle is the ultimate show-stopping de This Mocha Trifle is the ultimate show-stopping dessert that's surprisingly easy to make. Layers of dark chocolate cake, coffee-infused vanilla pudding, and fresh whipped cream, all topped with crushed almond biscotti for that perfect crunch. 

It's elegant, impressive, and absolutely delicious!

Here's why you need to make this:
✨ Make ahead friendly (actually gets BETTER overnight!)
✨ Serves 12 – perfect for parties
✨ Looks stunning in a trifle dish
✨ Coffee + chocolate = magical combo

The best part? The flavors blend together beautifully when it sits, so you WANT to make this the day before. Zero stress on party day! Just pull it out of the fridge and watch everyone be amazed 

Pro tips:
☕ Use cold coffee for the pudding (sets faster!)
🎂 Cool the cake completely before layering
🍰 Let it chill at least 2 hours, preferably overnight

Perfect for:
🎄 Christmas parties
🎉 Holiday gatherings
🍽️ Dinner party dessert
✨ Special occasions

The combination of smooth coffee pudding, rich chocolate cake, and fluffy whipped cream creates different textures in every bite. And that crushed almond biscotti on top? Adds the perfect nutty crunch!

Ready to make your next party memorable? Comment "MOCHA" below and I'll send the full recipe straight to your DMs! 

#mochadessert #trifle #holidaydesserts
This Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Bread Pudding combines This Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Bread Pudding combines everything you love about classic bread pudding with ALL the cozy fall flavors – pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. And that snickerdoodle cinnamon sugar crust on top? Absolute PERFECTION.

Here's what makes this amazing:
✨ Easier than pie (literally!)
✨ Make ahead friendly – prep the night before
✨ Serves 12 (perfect for holiday gatherings)
✨ Best served warm with vanilla ice cream

The secret? French bread cubes soak up all that spiced pumpkin custard overnight, then get topped with cinnamon sugar before baking. The result is a creamy, custardy center with a crispy, cookie-like top. It's basically snickerdoodles meets pumpkin pie meets bread pudding!

Pro tip: Use crusty French bread – it soaks up the custard perfectly without getting mushy. And don't skip the overnight soak – that's what makes it so incredibly creamy!

Perfect for:
🦃 Thanksgiving dessert table
🎄 Christmas gatherings
🍂 Fall entertaining
☕ Cozy dessert nights

Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream (the kind with sea salt is chef's kiss) and watch it disappear! 

Comment "PUMPKIN" below and I'll send the full recipe straight to your DMs! 

#pumpkinrecipes #breadpudding #holidaybaking
Potato skins just got SO much easier! Y'all, I lo Potato skins just got SO much easier!

Y'all, I love potato skins, but hollowing out all those potatoes? No thank you! This hack changes EVERYTHING – slice potatoes into coins, bake them, and load them up with all your favorite toppings. Takes half the time and they're just as delicious!

Here's why these are genius:
✨ No tedious hollowing out required
✨ Way faster to make (hello, game day!)
✨ Perfect finger food size
✨ All the flavor, half the work

The combo of crispy potato coins topped with melted cheddar, crispy bacon, cool sour cream, and fresh green onions? Chef's kiss

Pro tips:
🥔 Choose uniform potatoes for even cooking
🍳 Cut bacon BEFORE cooking (saves time!)
📄 Use nonstick pans for easy flipping
Perfect for:
🏈 Football season
🎉 Watch parties
🏠 Homegating
🍔 BBQs and tailgates

One follower literally said "I would make a meal out of those" and honestly? Same. These are THAT good and so addictive. Your guests will be fighting over the last one!

Ready to make game day snacking easier? Comment "POTATO" below and I'll send the full recipe straight to your DMs! 

#potatoskins #appetizers #fingerfood
These Bacon & Gruyere Sliders with Beer Caramelize These Bacon & Gruyere Sliders with Beer Caramelized Onions are about to be your new game day MVP!

Y'all, the flavor combination here is UNREAL. Salty bacon + nutty gruyere cheese + sweet beer caramelized onions = pure perfection. These are the kind of sliders that make people ask for the recipe immediately!

Here's what makes them special:
✨ Beer caramelized onions (game-changer!)
✨ Mini burgers = perfect for tasting everything
✨ Gruyere cheese adds that gourmet touch
✨ Feeds a crowd (makes 12 sliders!)

Pro tip: The caramelized onions take about an hour, but you can make them the day before and just reheat! That way, game day is stress-free and you can actually enjoy the party 

Perfect for:
🏈 Super Bowl parties
🏟️ Tailgating
🍔 BBQs and cookouts
🎊 Any time you're feeding a crowd

The best part? Using those sweet slider buns that are the perfect size and have just a hint of sweetness to balance all those savory flavors. These aren't your average burgers – they're loaded with flavor in every single bite!

Ready to win game day with these sliders?  Comment "SLIDERS" below and I'll send the full recipe straight to your DMs! 

#sliders #gamedayfood #burgerrecipes

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