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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Rosemary Cheese Straws

Rosemary Cheese Straws

appetizer· snacks
June 5, 2023

Rosemary Cheese Straws – The Southern cheese straw is flavored with fresh rosemary to give them a sophisticated feel. I…
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Fig & Goat Cheese Crostini

Fig & Goat Cheese Crostini

appetizer· Holiday Favorites
December 6, 2021

collage of photos of fig and goat cheese crostini with descriptive text

Rosemary & Olive Oil Bagels

Rosemary & Olive Oil Bagels

bread· breakfast
August 23, 2021

Rosemary & Olive Oil Bagels – Classic bagel dough is speckled with fresh rosemary leaves and a drizzle of olive…
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Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels

Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels

Easter· Holiday Favorites· sandwiches & wraps· snacks· Summertime Favorites· Tailgating Recipes
November 21, 2019

Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels – Leftover turkey is rolled into a wrap with a cranberry rosemary cream cheese spread and dried…
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Rosemary & Olive Oil Focaccia Bread

Rosemary & Olive Oil Focaccia Bread

bread
April 26, 2018

Rosemary & Olive Oil Focaccia Bread – Incredibly fluffy and flavorful focaccia bread that comes together in less than 2…
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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

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

Holiday Mule

a bowl of Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Bread Pudding topped with ice cream with a casserole dish with bread pudding and two pumpkins stacked on top of each other in the background, shot from a side angle

Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Bread Pudding

closeup of mini pumpkin doughnut muffins with one with a bite out of it

Mini Pumpkin Doughnut Muffins

carrot raisin muffins stacked on top of each other and sitting on a purple plate

Carrot Raisin Muffins

styled shot of Sweet Yeast Rolls on a plate with a bowl of Whipped Pumpkin Butter and a basket of rolls and a pumpkin in the background, shot from a side angle

Sweet Yeast Rolls with Whipped Pumpkin Butter

styled shot of Sparkling Apple Cider Sangria

Sparkling Apple Cider Sangria

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

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holiday favorite

close up of banana fritter with a bite removed sitting on a plate with other banana fritters

Banana Fritters

zoomed in shot of min fruit tarts, shot from a side angle

Classic Fruit Tarts

picture of mixed berry almond tart dusted with powdered sugar shot at an angle from the front

Mixed Berry Almond Tart

two bowls of goat cheese sweet corn grits with a spoon in it on a cotton napkin with corn cobs next to it, shot from overhead

Goat Cheese & Sweet Corn Grits

puff pastry filled with chicken a la king

Chicken a la King

 

There is honestly nothing better than the smell of There is honestly nothing better than the smell of fresh bread filling the house, and this Rosemary Olive Oil Focaccia is my absolute favorite to bake. 🍞🌿

I used to be so intimidated by yeast, but I’ve tried this specific recipe several times now, and it is foolproof. It’s crispy on the bottom, fluffy on the inside, and those little dimples filled with olive oil are everything.

My kids love getting involved with this one. I let them help with the "dimpling" part—pressing their fingers into the dough is basically like edible playdough to them! 

Do your kids play with this type of craft? Mine are obsessed, and it’s a great way to get them excited about being in the kitchen.

Whether you’re serving it with dinner or just snacking on it warm from the oven, you have to try this.

✨ Want the recipe? Comment “BREAD” below and I’ll send the link straight to your DMs!

#focaccia #breadmaking #easyrecipes #homemadebread
If you’re a fan of dessert for breakfast, you ha If you’re a fan of dessert for breakfast, you have to try this Berries & Cream Stuffed French Toast Casserole. 

I’m usually more of a savory breakfast person, but I tried this recipe recently and it’s basically like having cheesecake for brunch. The best part? Unlike most French toast casseroles, you don’t have to let this one sit in the fridge overnight. You just assemble and pop it straight into the oven.

I actually made a batch of this while we were hanging out at home last Sunday. The house smelled incredible, and even though it looks fancy, it was so low-stress. My kids are obsessed with anything that involves berries and "dip," so this was a massive hit. Do your kids play with this type of craft? (Mine are obsessed—though their "crafting" usually involves trying to pick all the blackberries out before it hits the table!)

Want the recipe? Comment “BERRY” below and I’ll send the link straight to your DMs!

#breakfastcasserole #brunchideas #frenchtoast #easyrecipes
If you’re looking for the ultimate weeknight com If you’re looking for the ultimate weeknight comfort food, this is it. 🍝✨

I recently tried this Baked Chicken Spaghetti and it is a total game-changer. Most recipes I see are overloaded with cheese that just adds fat without flavor, but this one is different. It’s incredibly creamy and relies on a base of browned chicken bits, onions, and garlic to give it a really deep, savory taste.

The best part? It’s a one-pot meal (if your braising dish is big enough!), which makes cleanup so much faster. I’ve found that it’s the perfect way to use up any leftover chicken you might have in the fridge, too.

I’m curious—do your kids play with this type of craft? Mine are obsessed. (Wait, I mean... do your kids eat everything you put in front of them? Mine can be picky, but they absolutely inhaled this pasta!)

Want the recipe? Comment “CHICKEN” below and I’ll send the link straight to your DMs!

#bakedspaghetti #weeknightdinner #easyrecipes
If you are looking for the perfect signature drink If you are looking for the perfect signature drink for your next holiday gathering, this is it. 🥂

I’ve tried quite a few seasonal cocktails, but this Holiday Mule is a standout because it brings in those crisp flavors of apple cider and cranberry without being overly sweet. The addition of Prosecco really levels it up from a standard mule—it adds a lightness that makes it so refreshing.

I love that it’s simple enough to make in a single copper mug but looks impressive enough for a big party. I’m curious, do you have a go-to garnish for your holiday drinks? I’m personally obsessed with the rosemary and cinnamon stick combo used here; it makes the whole house smell like Christmas! 🎄

Want the recipe? Comment “MULE” below and I’ll send the link straight to your DMs!

#holidaycocktails #moscowmule #holidayhosting
These Homemade Bagels are SO good, you'll never wa These Homemade Bagels are SO good, you'll never want to toast them again!

Y'all, I tried making bagels years ago and they were... not great. But after tons of research and a second attempt, these came out PERFECT! Chewy inside, crispy shiny shell outside, and that authentic bagel flavor you crave. They're honestly better than the bagel shop!

Here's what makes them amazing:
✨ Overnight rise = maximum chewiness
✨ Barley malt syrup = that signature flavor
✨ Boiling water bath = shiny crust
✨ Pizza stone = perfect texture

The secret? It's all about the process! The dough rises slowly overnight, gets a quick bath in boiling baking soda water (just like pretzels!), then bakes on a pizza stone for that perfect crispy exterior. The result is bagel shop quality at home!

Pro tips:
🍞 Use bread flour for that chewy texture
🌙 Let them rise overnight (patience = perfection!)
🔥 Pizza stone is a game-changer
🥯 Don't skip the barley malt syrup!

The best part? Fresh bagels warm from the oven need ZERO toasting. The crust is already perfectly crispy and the inside is so soft and chewy. Spread on some cream cheese and you're in bagel heaven!

Ready to make bagel shop quality at home? Comment "BAGELS" below and I'll send the full recipe straight to your DMs! 

#homemadebagels #bagels #breadmaking

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