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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Snickerdoodle Biscotti

Snickerdoodle Biscotti

breakfast· dessert· snacks
September 16, 2022

Snickerdoodle Biscotti – Crispy vanilla biscotti covered in cinnamon sugar and dipped in white chocolate. The perfect accompaniment to a…
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Cookie Dough Easter Eggs with M&M’S®

Cookie Dough Easter Eggs with M&M’S®

candy· Easter
February 22, 2018

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser, Mars Wrigley Confectionery US, LLC. All opinions are…
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30 Irresistible Springtime Sweets

30 Irresistible Springtime Sweets

Easter· round-up
April 6, 2017

Easter is next week, people! Next. Week. Are you panicking yet?? Have no fear! I am here to help you…
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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

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

angled view of cup of dirt pudding

Cup of Dirt Pudding

stacked maple walnut cookies on a red orange napkin and one cookie with a bite removed

Maple Walnut Cookies

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

Cinnamon Apple Kolaches

close up of two brown sugar cinnamon cookie bars stacked on top of each other

Brown Sugar Cinnamon Cookie Bars

Butterscotch Pear Turnovers on a baking sheet with parchment paper, shot from overhead

Butterscotch Pear Turnovers

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photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

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holiday favorite

close up of chocolate coquito with a dollop of whipped cream on top and a dust of cinnamon and cocoa powder

Chocolate Coquito

a corner shot of a plate of Raspberry Almond Linzer Cookies with a shaker of powdered sugar in the background, shot from a side angle

Raspberry Almond Linzer Cookies

brooklyn blackout cupcakes

Brooklyn Blackout Cupcakes

shortcut apple strudel on a marble serving platter cut down the middle to expose the apple center with vanilla ice cream on top and a fork in the foreground

Shortcut Apple Strudel

two copper mugs with Pomegranate Rosemary Moscow Mule with thyme sprigs in them and on a table with cloth napkins and a bottle of Schweppes in the background, shot from a side angle

Pomegranate Rosemary Moscow Mule

 

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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