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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Red Velvet Loaf

Red Velvet Loaf

cake· dessert· Valentine's Day
January 31, 2019

Red Velvet Loaf – Ultra-moist red velvet loaf cake topped with fluffy cream cheese frosting Okay I’m taking a break…
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Pumpkin Banana Bread

Pumpkin Banana Bread

bread· cake· dessert· Fall Flavors· Popular Recipes
November 1, 2018

Pumpkin Banana Bread – Ultra-moist banana bread gets even better with the addition of pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice. Man,…
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Tiramisu Cupcakes

Tiramisu Cupcakes

cake· dessert
May 14, 2018

Tiramisu Cupcakes – A mini, easy-to-eat version of the classic Italian dessert. Made with vanilla cupcakes brushed with espresso and…
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Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake

Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake

cake· dessert· Easter
March 8, 2018

Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake – An incredibly moist, streusel coffee cake is loaded with semisweet chocolate chips and a hint…
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Vanilla Bean Cheesecake

Vanilla Bean Cheesecake

cake· dessert· Easter· Holiday Favorites· Valentine's Day
February 26, 2018

Vanilla Bean Cheesecake – Cheesecake made with vanilla beans and then layered with a vanilla bean white chocolate mousse. The…
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Rum Cake

Rum Cake

cake· dessert· Easter· Holiday Favorites
February 22, 2018

Rum Cake – A delicious bundt cake made from scratch and then soaked with a butter-rum syrup. Not for the…
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Chocolate Peanut Butter Souffles

Chocolate Peanut Butter Souffles

cake· dessert· Valentine's Day
February 5, 2018

Chocolate Peanut Butter Souffles – Rich chocolate souffles are filled with a creamy peanut butter center to make for an…
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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

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

close up of apple pie slide doughnut sitting on a tray with other doughnuts

Apple Pie Slider Doughnuts

apple cinnamon charlotte sitting on a plate with cinnamon sabayon sliced in half to reveal the apples in the center

Apple Cinnamon Charlotte

a stack of three pumpkin oatmeal cream pies on cotton napkins with a platter behind it with more pies in the background, shot from the front

Pumpkin Oatmeal Cream Pies

a bowl of Butterscotch Vanilla Bean Sauce with a spoon in it and a bowl of brown sugar with a spoon in it on a cloth napkin, shot from a side angle

Butterscotch Vanilla Bean Sauce

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

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holiday favorite

a whisking bowl with Garlic & Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes with a wooden spoon in it, shot from overhead

Garlic & Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes

cranberry lime mojitos with cranberries and slices of lime

Cranberry Lime Mojitos

overhead shot of pistachio creme brulee with a few bites take out and sugar cracked

Pistachio Crème Brulee

zoomed in shot of a Rum Cake surrounded with raspberries on top of a cloth napkin, shot from the front

Rum Cake

Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels on a plate with sprigs of herbs in between the pinwheels, shot from overhead

Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels

 

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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