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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Salmon Rice Bowls

Salmon Rice Bowls

seafood· seafood entrees
February 17, 2022

Salmon Rice Bowls – Pan fried salmon is covered in spices, honey, and a pinch of parsley and layered in…
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Creamy Dill Salmon

Creamy Dill Salmon

seafood entrees
May 23, 2019

Creamy Dill Salmon – The easiest, most delicious salmon you’ll ever make! Pan fried salmon covered in a creamy, lemon…
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Sweet Corn Risotto with Crispy Shrimp (+ wine pairing)

Sweet Corn Risotto with Crispy Shrimp (+ wine pairing)

Easter· Holiday Favorites· seafood· seafood entrees· Summertime Favorites· Valentine's Day
March 2, 2018

This post has been sponsored by Clos du Bois and SeaPak. All thoughts and opinions are my own. The following…
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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

Cinnamon Latte Whoopie Pies

sweet potato biscuits on parchment paper with butter to the side and a cast iron pan of more biscuits in it, shot from a side angle

Sweet Potato Biscuits

two mugs of Cinnamon Maple Latte topped with whipped cream and sprinkled with pecans with dunkin donuts creamer and a stack of pumpkins on top of a cloth napkin, shot from a side angle

Cinnamon Maple Latte

slices of iced pumpkin scones drizzled with frosting on a wire rack on top of parchment paper, shot from overhead

Iced Pumpkin Scones

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

a plate of pie crust chips with a bowl of Salted Caramel Apple Pie Dip on it and a jar of caramel behind it, shot from a side angle

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Dip with Pie Crust Chips

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

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holiday favorite

autumn kale salad in a blue salad bowl

Autumn Kale Salad

Pigs in a Blanket Wreath on parchment paper with thyme sprigs and a dish of dipping sauce in the center with cans of dr pepper and plates in the background, shot from a side angle

Pigs in a Blanket Wreath

plate of Pumpkin Cheesecake Macarons with a gourd in the background, shot from the front

Pumpkin Cheesecake Macarons

a purple plate with 4 churro waffles

Churro Waffles

angled shot of french almond cakes sitting on a white plate

French Almond Cakes (Financiers)

 

Garlic Parmesan Orzo – orzo pasta cooked in chic Garlic Parmesan Orzo – orzo pasta cooked in chicken broth with sautéed garlic, finished with heavy cream and finely shaved Parmesan!

Orzo is becoming my new favorite pasta, you guys! It's SO versatile! This garlic parmesan version is creamy, garlicky, and ready in just 20 minutes! Perfect for busy weeknights!

The secret? Cooking the orzo in chicken broth instead of water deepens the flavor SO much. Plus adding the Parmesan slowly ensures it melts smoothly!
Pro tip: Once it cools, the sauce thickens – just add a little milk when reheating to loosen it up!

Perfect as a side dish OR main course! Pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, steak, or roasted vegetables! 

💬 Comment "ORZO" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for weeknight dinners
📤 SHARE with someone who loves pasta!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/garlic-parmesan-orzo/

#OrzoRecipes #PastaRecipes #EasyDinner #CreamyPasta #GarlicParmesan #OnePanMeal #QuickDinner #PastaSide #DinnerIdeas #EasyRecipes #ItalianFood #ComfortFood
Cookie Dough Flautas – chocolate chip cookie dou Cookie Dough Flautas – chocolate chip cookie dough wrapped in flour tortillas, air fried until crispy outside and gooey inside, served with chocolate sauce!

I've been OBSESSED with these since college, you guys! A local taco place made them and I was hooked! Now that I have an air fryer, there's no excuse not to make them at home – and they're SO EASY!

The secret? Chill them for an hour before air frying so they hold their shape perfectly. The result? Crispy, fluffy flautas with lava-like cookie dough in the center!
Pro tip: Let them cool for 5-10 minutes before eating – that cookie dough turns into LAVA in the air fryer!

Perfect for dessert night, parties, taco night twist, or anytime you want something FUN and different! 

💬 Comment "FLAUTAS" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for your next air fryer dessert
📤 SHARE with someone who loves cookie dough!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/cookie-dough-flautas/ 
#CookieDoughFlautas #AirFryerDesserts #CookieDough #AirFryerRecipes #EasyDesserts #CookieDoughRecipes #ChocolateChipCookieDough #QuickDesserts
The Best Waffles – buttery, sweet waffles with c The Best Waffles – buttery, sweet waffles with crispy exteriors and fluffy interiors made from scratch!

I'm team waffles over pancakes ALL the way, you guys! Those syrup-holding nooks? The crispy-fluffy texture balance? Pure perfection! These are SO much better than frozen Eggos! 

The secret? Whipped egg whites folded into the batter make them incredibly light and fluffy. Plus MORE sugar and butter than pancake batter = that crispy exterior!
Pro tip: Make sure your waffle iron is fully preheated before adding batter – this is KEY for crispy waffles!

Perfect for weekend breakfast, holiday brunch, or anytime you want breakfast to feel special!

💬 Comment "WAFFLES" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for your next brunch
📤 SHARE with someone who loves waffles!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/the-best-waffles/

#HomemadeWaffles #WaffleRecipe #BreakfastRecipes #BrunchIdeas #WeekendBreakfast #WaffleLover #BrunchRecipes #HomemadeBreakfast
Dark Chocolate Caramel Cupcakes – rich dark choc Dark Chocolate Caramel Cupcakes – rich dark chocolate cupcakes with salted caramel filling, dark chocolate frosting, caramel drizzle, and flaky sea salt!

Chocolate + caramel doesn't get enough praise, you guys! This combo deserves WAY more love! These cupcakes are RICH, decadent, and perfectly balanced by that salted caramel center and drizzle!

The secret? Hot coffee in the batter deepens the chocolate flavor without any coffee taste. Plus homemade salted caramel is easier than you think!
Pro tip: Watch your caramel closely - it can burn in seconds! And use flaky sea salt (like Maldon) for the best finish!

Perfect for birthdays, celebrations, dessert parties, or anytime you need to impress chocolate lovers!

💬 Comment "CARAMEL" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for your next baking day
📤 SHARE with someone who loves chocolate!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/dark-chocolate-caramel-cupcakes/

#DarkChocolateCupcakes #CaramelCupcakes #ChocolateDesserts #SaltedCaramel #HomemadeCupcakes #CupcakeRecipes
Lemon Blueberry Shortcakes – buttery, flaky shor Lemon Blueberry Shortcakes – buttery, flaky shortcakes with lemon zest, topped with fresh whipped cream and sweet blueberries tossed in lemon juice!

Strawberry shortcakes are great, but blueberries deserve their moment too! These are SO much better, you guys! The lemon zest in the shortcake + fresh lemon juice on the berries = the perfect spring dessert! 

The secret? A folding technique (roll, fold, turn, repeat 5x) gives you those gorgeous flaky layers. Plus sour cream in the whipped cream adds the BEST tangy flavor!

Pro tip: Let the shortcakes cool to room temp before assembling or the whipped cream will melt everywhere!

Perfect for Easter brunch, Mother's Day, tea parties, or anytime you need an elegant spring dessert! 🌸

💬 Comment "LEMON" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for spring entertaining
📤 SHARE with someone who loves blueberries

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/lemon-blueberry-shortcakes

#LemonBlueberryShortcakes #Shortcakes #BlueberryDessert #SpringDesserts #EasterDessert #LemonDesserts #HomemadeBiscuits #BlueberryRecipes #BrunchDessert #SpringBaking  #MothersDayDessert

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