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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Monster Cookie Bars

Monster Cookie Bars

bars and brownies· Cookies
October 4, 2018

Monster Cookie Bars – All the flavors of the classic monster cookie – peanut butter, oatmeal, chocolate chips, M&M’s,- but now…
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Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

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…
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The Best Cookie Recipes!

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…
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Peanut Butter Hot Fudge

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…
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Mint Cookie Ice Cream

Mint Cookie Ice Cream

dessert· ice cream· National Ice Cream Month· Summertime Favorites
July 26, 2018

Mint Cookie Ice Cream – Fresh mint ice cream is loaded with crushed Oreo cookies and swirls of fudge to make…
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Peanut Butter Chocolate Ice Cream Whoopie Pies

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…
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Oreo Chocolate Chip Cookies

Oreo Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cookies· dessert
June 4, 2018

Oreo Chocolate Chip Cookies – Classic chocolate chip cookies are mixed with crushed Oreos to make for a mega cookie…
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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

overhead shot of pumpkin churros on a plate of cinnamon sugar

Pumpkin Churros

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

Parmesan & Thyme Potatoes Au Gratin

a slice of peach upside down cake on a white plate with the rest of the cake in the background

Peach Upside-down Cake

overhead shot of slices of pear coffee cake

Pear Coffee Cake

a slice of chocolate pecan pie on a plate with another plate of pie in the background, shot from a side angle

Chocolate Pecan Pie

picture of apple pecan farro salad served on a white plate

Apple Pecan Farro Salad

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

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holiday favorite

styled shot of Chocolate Espresso Snowcaps

Chocolate Espresso Snowcaps

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

Cinnamon Apple Kolaches

close up of a phyllo triangle sitting on a platter drizzled with honey and chopped walnuts

Goat Cheese & Honey Phyllo Triangles

nutella pastry rolls on a sheet of parchment paper with a spoonful of nutella next to them

Nutella Pastry Rolls

overhead shot of slices of pear coffee cake

Pear Coffee Cake

 

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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