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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Brown Sugar Cinnamon Cookie Bars

Brown Sugar Cinnamon Cookie Bars

bars and brownies· Cookies· dessert· Easter· Fall Flavors· Holiday Favorites· snacks
August 22, 2023

Brown Sugar Cinnamon Cookie Bars – Brown sugar cinnamon filing is placed between shortbread cookie layers. It all gets a…
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Crispy Peanut Butter Bars

Crispy Peanut Butter Bars

bars and brownies· snacks
June 14, 2022

Crispy Peanut Butter Bars – Marshmallow crispy rice bars with peanut butter and a chocolate layer on top Now that…
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Oatmeal Brookie Bars

Oatmeal Brookie Bars

bars and brownies· Cookies· dessert· Valentine's Day
June 6, 2022

Oatmeal Brookie Bars – Chewy brownies are topped with cinnamon oatmeal cookie dough and baked together to form a brookie!…
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Baileys Cheesecake Brownie Bites

Baileys Cheesecake Brownie Bites

bars and brownies· cake· dessert· Easter· Holiday Favorites
March 14, 2022

Baileys Cheesecake Brownie Bites – Brownie bottoms are topped with Baileys Irish Cream cheesecake and baked until set. Topped with…
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S’mores Brownies

S’mores Brownies

bars and brownies· dessert
August 12, 2021

S’mores Brownies – Chewy chocolate brownies are baked on a homemade graham cracker crust and then topped with marshmallows that…
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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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Pecan Pie Brownies

Pecan Pie Brownies

bars and brownies· dessert· Fall Flavors· Holiday Favorites
October 19, 2020

Pecan Pie Brownies – Brownies are topped with a sticky pecan pie filling to make for a chocolate dessert perfect…
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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

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

Mini Pumpkin Doughnut Muffins

oatmeal rolls sitting on a baking sheet

Oatmeal Dinner Rolls

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

Carrot Raisin Muffins

a hand holding up a maple molasses cookie to show all the detailed cracks in the top of the cookie

Maple Molasses Cookies

Cinnamon Latte Whoopie Pies

Roasted Brussel Sprouts in a baking dish with melted butter and a spoon in it, shot from a side angle

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Honey Mustard Vinaigrette

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

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holiday favorite

styled shot of Monster Cookies

Monster Cookies

Black & White Bundt Cake

plate of pecan sticky bun

Pecan Sticky Buns

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

Maple Walnut Cookies

nutella fruit waffle on a white plate with waffles and fruit in the background

Nutella Fruit Waffle

 

Grilled Bang Bang Shrimp Skewers – grilled shrim Grilled Bang Bang Shrimp Skewers – grilled shrimp covered in a spicy, creamy, sweet chili sauce!

Grilling is my FAVORITE, you guys! Those charred grill marks add SO much flavor! This is my grilled twist on the classic fried Bang Bang Shrimp from that upscale seafood restaurant – healthier and just as delicious! 

The sauce is simply mayo + sweet chili sauce + sriracha. SO easy!

Pro tip: Taste your sauce first and add more sriracha if needed – mine was too mild so I kept adding more! And soak those wooden skewers for 30 minutes so they don't catch fire!

Perfect for summer BBQs, pool parties, or anytime you want easy grilled appetizers! 

💬 Comment "BANGBANG" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for grilling season
📤 SHARE with someone who loves shrimp!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/grilled-bang-bang-shrimp-skewers

#BangBangShrimp #GrilledShrimp #ShrimpSkewers #BBQRecipes #GrilledSeafood #ShrimpRecipes #PoolPartyFood #OutdoorCooking #SummerFood
Carrot Snack Cake – a single-layer carrot cake t Carrot Snack Cake – a single-layer carrot cake topped with homemade cream cheese frosting and sprinkled with chopped pecans!

Easter isn't the same without carrot cake, but who has time for a three-layer version anymore? Not me! This snack cake has ALL the classic flavors – cinnamon, carrot, nutmeg, brown sugar, pecans – with HALF the effort! 

Made in a 9x9 pan and you can even frost it right in the pan for extra simplicity!
Pro tip: Freshly shred your carrots – they're softer and taste SO much better than pre-shredded matchstick carrots!

Perfect for Easter, spring gatherings, potlucks, or anytime you want carrot cake without the fuss! 

💬 Comment "CARROTCAKE" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for easy baking
📤 SHARE with someone who loves carrot cake!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/carrot-snack-cake/
#CarrotCake #CarrotSnackCake #EasterDessert #SpringDesserts #EasyCake #CakeRecipes #HomemadeCake #SpringBaking #EasyDessert #SheetCake
Mixed Berry Fool – a no-bake British dessert mad Mixed Berry Fool – a no-bake British dessert made from sweetened smashed berries folded into fresh whipped cream!

I learned about this from my Great British Baking Show binges, you guys! A "fool" is just crushed fruit folded into whipped cream – SO simple! This version uses strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries for the perfect spring treat!

Everyone in my family loved this! Creamy, light, tart, and sweet all at once!
Pro tip: Chill the berries for 15 minutes but DON'T let them freeze – stir occasionally to prevent ice crystals!

Perfect for Easter, Valentine's Day, spring brunches, or anytime you need an elegant no-bake dessert! 🌸

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

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/mixed-berry-fool

#MixedBerryFool #BerryFool #NoBakeDessert #SpringDesserts #BritishDessert #EasterDessert #BerryDessert #FreshBerries #SummerDessert #BrunchDessert
Apple Pie Slider Doughnuts – rich brioche doughn Apple Pie Slider Doughnuts – rich brioche doughnuts tossed in cinnamon sugar, sliced in half, and stuffed with gooey fried apples! 

I LOVE slider doughnuts, you guys! They're stuffed with SO much filling that you can't just pump it into the center – you have to slice them like a burger bun! These fall-inspired beauties are filled with sticky, sweet, crispy fried apples!

The secret? Brioche dough chilled overnight makes them extra tender and fluffy. Don't worry when they turn super brown when frying – that's just the extra butter and eggs!

Pro tip: Use a candy thermometer to keep oil at 360°F – perfect temp for fluffy doughnuts!

Perfect for brunch or anytime you want bakery-level doughnuts at home! 

💬 Comment "APPLEPIE" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for fall baking
📤 SHARE with someone who loves doughnuts!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/apple-pie-slider-doughnuts/

#ApplePieDoughnuts #SliderDoughnuts #HomemadeDoughnuts #BriocheDoughnuts #ApplePie #DoughnutRecipes #CinnamonSugar #FallTreats #BreakfastIdeas
Garlic Parmesan Pull-Apart Bread – homemade pizz Garlic Parmesan Pull-Apart Bread – homemade pizza dough balls tossed in herb butter, garlic, and Parmesan, baked into a gorgeous loaf and served with marinara!

This is the ULTIMATE party appetizer, you guys! My husband couldn't stop eating it – he ate HALF the loaf himself!  Each fluffy ball pulls right off and it's SO fun to eat!

The secret? Baking in a Bundt pan creates the perfect round shape with a center just big enough for marinara dipping sauce!

Pro tip: Remove from the pan while it's still hot – when it cools, the grease solidifies and makes it harder to remove!

Perfect for game day, pasta night, tailgating, or anytime you need a crowd-pleasing appetizer! 

💬 Comment "BREAD" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for your next party
📤 SHARE with someone who loves garlic bread!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/garlic-parmesan-pull-apart-bread/

#GarlicBread #PullApartBread #GarlicParmesanBread #PartyAppetizers #GameDayFood #HomemadeBread #BreadRecipes #AppetizerRecipes #PizzaDough #ItalianFood #TailgatingFood #ComfortFood

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