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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Bakery-Style Chocolate Chip Muffins

Bakery-Style Chocolate Chip Muffins

breakfast· cake· dessert· Easter· muffins
March 29, 2024

Bakery-style Chocolate Chip Muffins – Sky-high muffins are loaded with mini chocolate chips, a perfect round dome on top, and…
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Brooklyn Blackout Cupcakes

Brooklyn Blackout Cupcakes

cake· dessert· Holiday Favorites· Uncategorized· Valentine's Day
March 5, 2024

Brooklyn Blackout Cupcakes – Rich chocolate cupcakes are filled with homemade chocolate pudding and topped with fudge icing and cake…
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Strawberry Tres Leches

Strawberry Tres Leches

cake· dessert· Easter· Valentine's Day
February 19, 2024

Strawberry Tres Leches – Vanilla cake is soaked with strawberry milk and topped with fresh strawberries and freshly whipped cream….
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Chocolate Mousse Cake

Chocolate Mousse Cake

cake· dessert
January 24, 2024

Chocolate Mousse Cake – Rich chocolate cake is topped with homemade chocolate mousse and chocolate ganache to make for a…
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Cherry Almond Pastry Cake

Cherry Almond Pastry Cake

cake· doughnuts and sweet rolls· Easter· Holiday Favorites· pastries
October 16, 2023

Cherry Almond Pastry Cake – Cherry almond cream is rolled into puff pastry and formed into a cake and baked…
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Apple Cider Bundt Cake

Apple Cider Bundt Cake

cake
September 22, 2023

Apple Cider Bundt Cake – A perfectly spiced Bundt cake sweetened with apple cider Pumpkin tends to steal the show…
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My Favorite Pumpkin Loaf

My Favorite Pumpkin Loaf

bread· cake· dessert· Fall Flavors
September 11, 2023

My Favorite Pumpkin Loaf – The most moist, perfectly spiced pumpkin loaf. I make this every year and freeze extra…
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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

front shot of sweet potato cornbread in a cast iron skillet

Sweet Potato Cornbread

overhead shot of quinoa harvest salad on a plate

Quinoa Harvest Salad

overhead shot of cheddar crusted apple pie with lattice crust

Cheddar Crusted Apple Pie

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

Pistachio Loaf

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

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

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holiday favorite

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

angled shot of french almond cakes sitting on a white plate

French Almond Cakes (Financiers)

a pie plate of berry crumble pie, shot from overhead

Berry Crumble Pie

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

Holiday Mule

Sweet Corn Risotto with Crispy Shrimp - Creamy, cheesy homemade risotto is taken up a notch with fresh sweet yellow corn and paired perfect with SeaPak Butterfly Shrimp and Clos du Bois Chardonnay.

Sweet Corn Risotto with Crispy Shrimp (+ wine pairing)

 

Creamy Skillet Corn Dip – fresh corn mixed with Creamy Skillet Corn Dip – fresh corn mixed with jalapeños, cream cheese, sour cream, and melty Monterrey Jack cheese! 🌽🧀

This is THE ultimate party dip, you guys! Sweet fresh corn + hint of spice + THREE creamy cheeses = pure heaven! Plus you cook AND serve it in the same skillet. Talk about a dream come true! 

The secret? FRESH corn kernels! They have a bite and sweetness you just don't get from canned or frozen. Trust me on this one!

Pro tip: Mix everything in a separate bowl first – way easier than trying to stir in the hot skillet!

Perfect for game day, summer BBQs, taco night, or honestly anytime you need a crowd-pleasing dip! 

💬 Comment "CORNDIP" for the recipe
💾 SAVE this for your next gathering
📤 SHARE with someone who loves dip!

#CreamySkilletCornDip #CornDip #PartyDip #GameDayFood #SummerAppetizers #FreshCorn #MonterreyJack #JalapenoDip #SkilletRecipes #CreamCheeseDip #TailgatingFood #BBQAppetizers #CrowdPleasers #DipRecipes #EasyAppetizers
Authentic Spanish Ham & Cheese Croquettes (Croquet Authentic Spanish Ham & Cheese Croquettes (Croquetas) – crispy fried dumplings with prosciutto, Manchego cheese, and a creamy bechamel base!

These are the ultimate party appetizer and taste exactly like what you'd get at a tapas bar in Madrid! Crispy golden exterior meets gooey, cheesy center. That cheese pull is UNREAL!

Perfect for tapas night, game day, or any party. Frying tips included so don't be scared – just heat your oil for 10+ minutes and don't overcrowd the pan!

Pro tip: Chill the dough for 2+ hours before frying or it'll fall apart!

💬 Comment "CROQUETA" for the full recipe
💾 SAVE this for your next party
📤 SHARE with someone who loves Spanish food!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/ham-cheese-croquettes-croquetas/

#HamCheeseCroquettes #Croquetas #SpanishFood
3-Ingredient Oreo Truffles 😍 One of my favorit 3-Ingredient Oreo Truffles 😍

One of my favorite go-to recipes! I inherited this from my old roommate back in college. She made them for me once and they suddenly took over my life, you guys! I seriously ate like 10 in one sitting. It was that day that I discovered what heartburn was! 

THE RECIPE (makes 48 truffles):

Ingredients:
-1 package Oreos (36 cookies)
-1 package (12 oz) chocolate chips
-1 package (8 oz) cream cheese

Instructions:
1️⃣ Take cream cheese out of fridge to warm slightly (NOT room temp!)
2️⃣ Crush Oreos into crumbs in food processor. Save 1/4 cup for topping
3️⃣ Mix Oreo crumbs + cream cheese with your HANDS until it forms a dough
4️⃣ Roll into balls using teaspoon or melon baller
5️⃣ Chill 10 minutes
6️⃣ Melt chocolate chips in microwave (30-sec increments)
7️⃣ Dip balls in chocolate, let excess drip off
8️⃣ Sprinkle with reserved Oreo crumbs
9️⃣ Chill 1 hour before serving
🔟 Store in fridge!

Save & Share!

#oreotruffles #easydesserts #oreorecipes #nobakedesserts 

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/3-ingredient-oreo-truffles
Well, if you're struggling this morning like I am, Well, if you're struggling this morning like I am, I have the perfect treat to get you moving and grooving!

Almond croissants are, by-far, my favorite pastry, you guys! I love the rich almond filling and the crunch you get from the sliced almonds on top. 

The secret to easy almond croissants? We're using store-bought croissants! Because the filling takes its own time to make, I see no benefit in making these more complicated by making your own croissants, as well. But if that's what you wanna do, you definitely can. I'm just here to assure you that it's definitely not necessary!

Perfect for impressing brunch guests, treating yourself on a lazy Sunday, or bringing bakery vibes into your own kitchen!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/almond-croissants/
The Pumpkin Cheesecake Macaron! Pumpkin butter i The Pumpkin Cheesecake Macaron! 

Pumpkin butter is just like apple butter – a spreadable puree of deliciousness with tons of spices – but made with pumpkin puree instead of apple (duh). I've seen pumpkin butter sold in stores (near the jams and jellies) but it wasn't available at my store yet. 

So I just made my own using a recipe from Skinnytaste. I only made a half-batch and it was more than enough!

Side note: I've been using the leftover pumpkin butter to flavor my coffee in the mornings. Just a teaspoon goes a long way! 

Why these are special: These macarons are so delicate, yet chewy and BEYOND flavorful, you guys! Move over, pumpkin spice latte, there's a new favorite pumpkin treat in town! 

These are restaurant-quality French cookies you can make at home! Yes, they take some practice and attention to detail, but they're SO worth it! The "wow" factor alone is incredible, and they taste even better than they look!

RECIPE: https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/pumpkin-cheesecake-macarons/

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