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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Berry Pavlova

Berry Pavlova

cake· dessert· Holiday Favorites· Summertime Favorites· Valentine's Day
June 24, 2021

Berry Pavlova – Vanilla meringue is baked into a cake with a crispy shell exterior and creamy interior and then…
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Roasted Strawberry Bundt Cake

Roasted Strawberry Bundt Cake

cake· dessert· Easter· Holiday Favorites· Summertime Favorites· Valentine's Day
May 27, 2021

Roasted Strawberry Bundt Cake – Strawberries are roasted before adding to the cake batter in order to concentrate their flavor…
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Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Pineapple Upside Down Cake

cake· dessert· Summertime Favorites
May 24, 2021

Pineapple Upside Down Cake – Fluffy vanilla cake topped with brown sugar pineapple slices During my pregnancy last year, I…
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Orange-Scented Madeleines

Orange-Scented Madeleines

cake· Cookies· dessert· Easter· Holiday Favorites
May 6, 2021

Orange-Scented Madeleines – Little Madeleine cakes are sprinkled with orange zest to give them a hint of orange flavor Today’s…
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Victoria Sandwich Cake

Victoria Sandwich Cake

cake· dessert· Holiday Favorites· Valentine's Day
May 3, 2021

Victoria Sandwich Cake – Raspberry jam and fresh whipped cream are sandwiched between two vanilla sponge cakes and dusted with…
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French Almond Cakes (Financiers)

French Almond Cakes (Financiers)

cake· Easter· Holiday Favorites· pastries
April 12, 2021

French Almond Cakes (Financiers) – These almond flavor mini cakes aren’t quite cupcakes nor are they muffins. They’re the perfect…
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Sticky Toffee Pudding

Sticky Toffee Pudding

cake· dessert· Easter· Valentine's Day
November 30, 2020

Sticky Toffee Pudding – A brown sugar cake made with dates is soaked in a homemade toffee sauce to make…
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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 spiced carrots on a bed of whipped feta dip

Spiced Carrots with Whipped Feta

close up pork chops on a plate with Dijon apple pan sauce on top and a rosemary garnish

Dijon Apple Pork Chops

zoomed in shot of chocolate snickerdoodles on parchment paper with a spoon in front, shot from a side angle

Chocolate Snickerdoodles

zoomed in shot of a plate of stacked chocolate gingerbread truffles with one with a bite out of it, shot from a side angle

Chocolate Gingerbread Truffles

front shot of sweet potato cornbread in a cast iron skillet

Sweet Potato Cornbread

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

Baked Carrot Cake Oatmeal

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

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holiday favorite

a mug of Raspberry Hot Chocolate topped with raspberries and marshmallows on a plate with more raspberries and marshmallows surrounding it on top of a plaid tablecloth, shot from the front

Raspberry Hot Chocolate

close up of banana fritter with a bite removed sitting on a plate with other banana fritters

Banana Fritters

a plate of pistachio snowballs with one cut in half on top of the plate, shot from the front

Pistachio Snowballs

a glass dish with pumpkin cinnamon rolls in it with some missing from the center and a spatula with a pumpkin the background, shot from a side angle

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

Sausage Egg & Cheese Pastry Muffins on a platter with a sprig of rosemary, shot from a side angle

Sausage, Egg, & Cheese Pastry Muffins

 

Caesar Pasta Salad – penne pasta tossed with all Caesar Pasta Salad – penne pasta tossed with all your favorite Caesar salad ingredients! 🥗

I'm not usually a huge creamy pasta salad fan, you guys, but this one BLEW ME AWAY! The homemade Caesar dressing adds SO much bold flavor and only gets better as time goes by! 

The combo of crispy romaine, perfectly al dente pasta, juicy tomatoes, and that incredible dressing? Perfection!

Pro tip: Shred your own Parmesan cheese! Pre-shredded is too thick – freshly shredded blends into the salad SO much better!

Perfect for summer BBQs, potlucks, picnics, or anytime you need an amazing pasta salad! ☀️

💬 Comment "CAESAR" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for summer entertaining
📤 SHARE with someone who loves Caesar salad!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/caesar-pasta-salad
#PastaSalad #CaesarSalad #SummerSalad #PastaSaladRecipe #SummerSide #SummerRecipes #EasySalad #HomemadeDressing #PastaSalads #SummerFood
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

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