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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Pumpkin Cinnamon Pull Apart Loaf

Pumpkin Cinnamon Pull Apart Loaf

bread· breakfast· dessert· doughnuts and sweet rolls· Fall Flavors· Holiday Favorites· pastries
October 22, 2021

Pumpkin Cinnamon Pull Apart Loaf – Pumpkin spiced dough is covered in a cinnamon brown sugar, cut into squares, and…
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Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

breakfast· Fall Flavors· Holiday Favorites
October 14, 2021

Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Pancakes – Fluffy pumpkin buttermilk pancakes are swirled with cinnamon brown sugar and then topped with a…
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Cinnamon Apple Kolaches

Cinnamon Apple Kolaches

doughnuts and sweet rolls· Easter· Fall Flavors· Holiday Favorites
September 20, 2021

Cinnamon Apple Kolaches – Fluffy sweet rolls are topped with cinnamon apples, baked to perfection, and finished with sweet icing….
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Snickerdoodle Ice Cream Sandwiches

Snickerdoodle Ice Cream Sandwiches

bars and brownies· Cookies· dessert· ice cream· National Ice Cream Month· Summertime Favorites
July 1, 2021

Snickerdoodle Ice Cream Sandwiches – Vanilla ice cream is sandwiched between two soft cinnamon sugar cookies Happy National Ice Cream…
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Churros with Mexican Chocolate Sauce

Churros with Mexican Chocolate Sauce

dessert· snacks· Valentine's Day
April 29, 2021

Churros with Mexican Chocolate Sauce – Chewy homemade churros are dusted in sugar and dipped in a thick chocolate sauce…
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Carrot Raisin Muffins

Carrot Raisin Muffins

dessert· Easter· Fall Flavors· muffins
April 1, 2021

Carrot Raisin Muffins – Tall, fluffy carrot muffins are studded with golden raisins and chopped walnuts to make a hearty,…
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Apple Pie Cake

Apple Pie Cake

cake· dessert· Easter· Fall Flavors· Holiday Favorites· pie
November 2, 2020

Apple Pie Cake – Half pie, half cake, lots of delicious apples. During this pandemic, many have chosen to spend…
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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

styled shot of a stack of chocolate pecan pie cheesecake bars

Chocolate Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars

a trio of gingerbread souffles on a serving platter

Gingerbread Soufflé

chicken and biscuits in a dutch oven overhead shot

Chicken and Dumplings

vinaigrette dressing being poured over a plate of Orchard Harvest Salad (Panera Copycat) from a glass bottle with a half and whole pair and cherry preserves in the background, shot from a side angle

Orchard Harvest Salad (Panera Copycat)

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

a slice of apple cinnamon stuffed french toast on a plate with powdered sugae

Apple Cinnamon Stuffed French Toast

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

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holiday favorite

The Best Waffles

Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes

photo of creme brulee doughnuts stacked together with the top doughnut missing a bite

Crème Brûlée Doughnuts

Almond Butter Chocolate Tarts on a platter with a spoon of almond butter on it, shot from a side angle

Almond Butter Chocolate Tarts

zoomed in shot of orange-scented madelines on a white plate

Orange-Scented Madeleines

 

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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