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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Croissant French Toast

Croissant French Toast

breakfast· breakfast casseroles· Holiday Favorites· Valentine's Day
March 7, 2022

Croissant French Toast – Mini croissants are dipped in a rich custard and fried until crisp on the outside and…
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Orange Vanilla Scones

Orange Vanilla Scones

breakfast· dessert· Easter· snacks· Summertime Favorites
March 3, 2022

Orange Vanilla Scones – Light, sweet scones are flavored with orange zest and vanilla bean to make for a perfect…
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Beignets

Beignets

breakfast· dessert· doughnuts and sweet rolls· Easter· Holiday Favorites
February 28, 2022

Beignets – Traditional New Orleans fried dough covered in powdered sugar and served fresh from the fryer. These chewy, yet…
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Cranberry Orange Overnight Oats

Cranberry Orange Overnight Oats

breakfast· Easter· Summertime Favorites
February 21, 2022

Cranberry Orange Overnight Oats – Rolled oats and chia seeds are soaked in milk, vanilla Greek yogurt, orange zest, and…
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Easy Ham & Cheese Pastry Rolls

Easy Ham & Cheese Pastry Rolls

breakfast· Easter· pastries
December 30, 2021

Easy Ham & Cheese Pastry Rolls – Puff pastry is layered with Dijon mustard, ham, and cheddar cheese, rolled and…
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Split Buns with Cream and Jam

Split Buns with Cream and Jam

bread· breakfast· dessert· doughnuts and sweet rolls· Holiday Favorites· pastries
December 17, 2021

Split Buns with Cream and Jam – Soft, enriched buns are split in half and stuffed with raspberry jam and…
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Chocolate Cinnamon Babka

Chocolate Cinnamon Babka

bread· breakfast· dessert· doughnuts and sweet rolls· Fall Flavors· Holiday Favorites
November 8, 2021

Chocolate Cinnamon Babka – Brioche dough is braided with a swirl of chocolate and cinnamon and baked to perfection to…
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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

overhead shot of partially eaten baked carrot cake oatmeal in casserole dish with serving spoon

Baked Carrot Cake Oatmeal

slice of pistachio loaf on a cutting board with the rest of the loaf in the background

Pistachio Loaf

a slice of chocolate pecan pie on a plate with another plate of pie in the background, shot from a side angle

Chocolate Pecan Pie

pint glass of pumpkin cream cold brew coffee with a metal straw

Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew

close up of pretzel bread pudding slice on a plate in a pool of whiskey sauce

Pretzel Bread Pudding

photo of two glasses of sangria with the pitcher in the background

Cranberry Apple Sangria

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

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holiday favorite

mixed berry fool in a glass with a strawberry and mint garnish on top

Mixed Berry Fool

close up of a mint chocolate fudge cookie surrounded by chocolate chips

Mint Chocolate Fudge Cookies

a slice of texas sheet cake sitting on a white plate

Texas Sheet Cake

Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes

a plate with stacked strawberry white chocolate eclairs, shot from the front

Strawberry White Chocolate Eclairs

 

Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Sage Browned Butter – Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Sage Browned Butter – fluffy pillows of sweet potato dumplings tossed in a sage and browned butter sauce for a comforting pasta dish you didn't know you needed! 

This gnocchi was inspired by a dish I had at a local restaurant years ago, you guys! I was skeptical about sweet potato gnocchi with just butter and sage – no cream? no tomato? But MAN, was I wrong! 

The sweet potato gnocchi is even MORE flavorful than the original! It shines on its own with little help from a heavy sauce – that's why it pairs so perfectly with a light toss in sage and browned butter!

Pro tip: Use a potato ricer to break up the sweet potatoes – don't use a food processor or it will make the gnocchi gummy and pasty! The ricer makes it super fluffy!

Perfect for fall dinners, Thanksgiving, date nights, or anytime you want restaurant-quality comfort food at home! 

💬 Comment "GNOCCHI" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for fall cooking
📤 SHARE with someone who loves pasta!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/sweet-potato-gnocchi-with-sage-browned-butter/
Sour Cream Doughnuts – dense and crispy on the o Sour Cream Doughnuts – dense and crispy on the outside, moist and cakey on the inside! Your favorite old-fashioned cake doughnuts ready in half the time as yeast doughnuts!

These are also known as old-fashioned doughnuts, you guys! They're bulky, firm on the outside, but oh-so-moist on the inside! The BEST combination of textures – crunchy yet chewy, dense yet moist! 

I fell in love with these at a local bakery, and now my husband surprises me with them from time to time! Do I have a great man or what?!

Pro tip: Don't roll the dough too thin or the doughnuts will turn to hockey pucks when you fry them! You're better off making the dough too thick than too thin!

Perfect for weekend breakfast, Easter morning, brunch, or anytime you want homemade doughnuts without the wait! 

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

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/sour-cream-doughnuts
Creamy Poblano Enchiladas – tortillas stuffed wi Creamy Poblano Enchiladas – tortillas stuffed with shredded chicken, covered in a creamy poblano sauce and cheese, then baked until creamy perfection! 

I'm more of a green enchiladas fan than red, you guys! While this sauce isn't traditional green enchilada sauce, it's got similar flavor notes! Plus, with the added milk, it's super creamy and decadent! 

The secret? A roux makes the sauce ultra creamy without needing tons of heavy cream!

Pro tip: Don't skip the lime juice! It's KEY to balancing out the flavors – this is NOT an optional ingredient!

Perfect for Cinco de Mayo, dinner parties, family dinners, or anytime you want creamy enchiladas! 🎉

💬 Comment "POBLANO" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for Cinco de Mayo
📤 SHARE with someone who loves enchiladas!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/creamy-poblano-enchiladas/
Beef Empanadas – flaky pie dough filled with cum Beef Empanadas – flaky pie dough filled with cumin-spiced beef and tomato mixture!

These are perfect for Cinco de Mayo, you guys! Small party-perfect size (makes about 20!) with super flavorful filling that's NOT spicy – everyone will love them! 😍

Made with my classic pie dough for the flakiest crust, then filled with seasoned beef, onions, and tomatoes!

Pro tip: Make sure to chill the dough before rolling it out – this lets it rest and firm up so it gets nice and flaky while baking!

Perfect for Cinco de Mayo parties, game day, meal prep, or anytime you want delicious hand-held snacks!

💬 Comment "EMPANADAS" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for party planning
📤 SHARE with someone who loves empanadas!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/beef-empanadas
Apple Pie Sundae – cinnamon crumble ice cream to Apple Pie Sundae – cinnamon crumble ice cream topped with caramelized cinnamon apples, pie crust chips, and caramel sauce to make a fun way to eat your favorite pie! 

You guys, this is apple pie DECONSTRUCTED! All the flavors you love but in sundae form! 

I was inspired by a restaurant dessert but knew I could take it up a few notches! I added crispy pie crust chips and caramel sauce (because apples + caramel = perfection!), and the result is INCREDIBLE!

Pro tip: Use a cast-iron skillet to caramelize the apples – it gives them better color and flavor than a non-stick pan! And cook them just 8-10 minutes so they still have bite and aren't mushy!

Perfect for National Ice Cream Month, summer treats, fall desserts, or anytime you want apple pie without baking a whole pie! 🥧

💬 Comment "APPLESUNDAE" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for dessert inspiration
📤 SHARE with ice cream lovers!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/apple-pie-sundae/

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