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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Coconut Cream Cake

Coconut Cream Cake

cake· dessert· Easter· Summertime Favorites
February 20, 2020

Coconut Cream Cake – White cake with a hint of coconut, layered with homemade coconut cream on the inside, and…
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Chocolate Raspberry Cake Roll

Chocolate Raspberry Cake Roll

cake· dessert· Valentine's Day
January 20, 2020

Chocolate Raspberry Cake Roll – Chocolate cake is spread with raspberry buttercream and rolled up into a beautiful cake roll…
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Caramel Macchiato Cupcakes

Caramel Macchiato Cupcakes

cake· dessert· Fall Flavors
October 3, 2019

Caramel Macchiato Cupcakes – Moist coffee-flavored cake is topped with caramel buttercream and a generous drizzle of salted caramel sauce….
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Mini Peanut Butter Explosion Cheesecakes

Mini Peanut Butter Explosion Cheesecakes

cake· dessert
June 17, 2019

Mini Peanut Butter Explosion Cheesecakes – Peanut butter cheesecake is speckled with crushed Butterfingers and stuffed with a peanut butter…
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Mini Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecakes

Mini Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecakes

cake· dessert
May 9, 2019

Mini Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecakes – Creamy mini cheesecakes sprinkled with mini chocolate chips and a surprise cookie dough center…
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Easy Banana Cake

Easy Banana Cake

cake· dessert· Easter· Popular Recipes
February 28, 2019

Easy Banana Cake – A moist, dense banana sheet cake topped with homemade cream cheese frosting.  Cake, cake, cake, cake,…
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Cookies & Cream Cupcakes

Cookies & Cream Cupcakes

cake· dessert
February 11, 2019

Cookies & Cream Cupcakes – Vanilla cake is speckled with chunks of Oreo cookies, topped with Oreo buttercream frosting, and…
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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

close up of a serving bowl with sage and brown butter mashed sweet potatoes

Sage & Brown Butter Mashed Sweet Potatoes

zoomed in shot of a bowl of sweet potato gnocchi, shot from a side angle

Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Sage Browned Butter

apple cinnamon monkey bread with a chunk out of it and sliced apples in front, shot from a side angle

Apple Cinnamon Monkey Bread

overhead shot of cheddar crusted apple pie with lattice crust

Cheddar Crusted Apple Pie

a stack of Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies and individual cookies on a sheet pan with chocolate chips around them and a stack of pumpkins in the background, shot from a side angle

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

warm banana bread with a couple bites removed sitting on a plate with two scoops on butter pecan ice cream stacked on top and caramelized bananas over the top and a spoon on the side

Banana Bread Sundae

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holiday favorite

strawberry brioche bun on a gray table

Strawberry Brioche Buns

a White Chocolate Cream Puff cut in half with the filling showing and a plate of cream puffs in the background and white chocolate chips around it, shot from a side angle

White Chocolate Cream Puffs

Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes

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)

zoomed in shot of portuguese egg tarts sitting on a plate

Portuguese Egg Tarts

 

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/
Chocolate Cream Pie – flaky pie crust baked to p Chocolate Cream Pie – flaky pie crust baked to perfection, filled with chocolate pudding, and topped with fresh whipped cream that won't wilt!

This is THE pie to make if you're trying to switch up your holiday traditions, you guys! Sometimes you need a break from pumpkin pie and pecan pie!

The genius secret? Unflavored gelatin in the whipped cream makes it stable so it won't wilt or melt – you can make this ahead!

Pro tip: Add the hot milk to the eggs VERY slowly or the eggs will scramble and the pudding will get lumpy!

Perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine's Day, Easter, or anytime you want chocolate cream perfection! 

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/chocolate-cream-pie

💬 Comment "CHOCPIE" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for holiday desserts
📤 SHARE with someone who loves chocolate pie!
Banana Bread Granola – oats tossed with pecans, Banana Bread Granola – oats tossed with pecans, walnuts, banana puree, honey, and cinnamon to make a crunchy snack that tastes (and smells!) just like banana bread! 🍌

I never thought homemade granola would be worth the effort, you guys! But the effort is minimal and the end result is SO worth it! 

My favorite part? The SMELL! When it bakes, the banana and cinnamon create an aroma almost exactly like baking banana bread – it's intoxicating!

Pro tip: You MUST use super ripe bananas for this recipe – they have more sugar so you don't need tons of honey!

Perfect for breakfast bowls, yogurt topping, snacking, or anytime you want banana bread in granola form! 

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/banana-bread-granola/

💬 Comment "GRANOLA" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for breakfast ideas
📤 SHARE with someone who loves banana bread!
Poblano Corn Chowder – a creamy corn chowder loa Poblano Corn Chowder – a creamy corn chowder loaded with poblano peppers, Yukon gold potatoes, and sharp cheddar cheese! 🌶️🌽

Cold weather means SOUP SEASON, you guys! And this chowder is the perfect comfort food! Made in a jiffy and super creamy without tons of heavy cream!

The secret? A roux thickens the chowder so regular milk makes it nice and creamy!
Pro tip: Don't skip the Yukon gold potatoes – they're much more tender and creamy than Russett or red potatoes!

Perfect for cold winter nights, cozy dinners, or anytime you need a warm hug in a bowl!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/poblano-corn-chowder/
💬 Comment "CHOWDER" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for soup season
📤 SHARE with someone who loves soup!

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