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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Apple Cider Caramels

Apple Cider Caramels

candy· Fall Flavors
October 20, 2016

Apple Cider Caramels – Rich, chewy caramels made with yummy apple cider and spices. And it’s so simple to make!…
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3-Ingredient Oreo Truffles

3-Ingredient Oreo Truffles

candy
August 25, 2016

3-Ingredient Oreo Truffles – A quick and easy recipe for amazing chocolate Oreo truffles, made with crushed Oreos, cream cheese, and…
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Chocolate-Covered Turtles with Bacon

Chocolate-Covered Turtles with Bacon

candy
May 21, 2012

Chocolate-Covered Turtles with Bacon – Chocolate turtles made with pecans and a special ingredient. Bacon! It’s back! After a few…
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Sea Salt Caramels

Sea Salt Caramels

candy
April 26, 2012

Sea Salt Caramels – A super simple recipe to make salted caramels at home. French cuisine has to be my…
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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

stacked maple walnut cookies on a red orange napkin and one cookie with a bite removed

Maple Walnut Cookies

close up of sliced loaf of chocolate cinnamon babka with the center exposed to see the beautiful swirl of chocolate

Chocolate Cinnamon Babka

portion of sweet potato gratin being removed from casserole dish, revealing gooey center

Sweet Potato Gratin

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

Cranberry Apple Sangria

zoomed in shot of Smashed Sweet Potatoes with cheese being shredded over them

Smashed Sweet Potatoes with Garlic Butter

closeup of mini pumpkin doughnut muffins with one with a bite out of it

Mini Pumpkin Doughnut Muffins

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

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holiday favorite

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

fingers holding a chocolate berry fritter with a wire rack with more fritters and mixed berries surrounding them, shot from a side angle

Chocolate Berry Fritters

styled shot of Chocolate Espresso Snowcaps

Chocolate Espresso Snowcaps

Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies on a baking sheet with sprinkles on top

Soft, Frosted Sugar Cookies

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

 

Mango Coconut Sticky Rice – sushi rice cooked wi Mango Coconut Sticky Rice – sushi rice cooked with coconut milk and fresh mango for a tropical side dish! 🥭

This is a SAVORY version of the sweet Thai dessert, you guys! I created this to stay in the savory spectrum so you can serve it with any entree during the week! 

The rice cooker does ALL the work! Just add everything, press start, and walk away!

Pro tip: I love the texture of mango as it cooks with the rice, but if you prefer fresh mango chunks, add them after the rice is done!

Perfect for pairing with grilled chicken, fish, tacos, or any Caribbean-inspired meal! 🌴
💬 Comment "MANGORICE" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for tropical dinners
📤 SHARE with someone who loves mango!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/mango-coconut-sticky-rice-giveaway/
Peanut Butter Banana Bites – sliced bananas topp Peanut Butter Banana Bites – sliced bananas topped with peanut butter and dipped in chocolate! A yummy, guilt-free treat that's great fresh or frozen!

I was inspired by those frozen chocolate-covered bananas from Disney World, you guys! I added peanut butter because I LOVE peanut butter, banana, and chocolate together!

Once I made these, I discovered I love them better FRESH instead of frozen! The banana flavor is way more present when they're fresh!

Pro tip: Cut your banana slices thick to make them easier to dip in chocolate – thin slices fall apart!

Perfect for satisfying chocolate cravings, healthy snacking, or anytime you want a guilt-free treat! 

💬 Comment "PBBITES" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for healthy treats
📤 SHARE with someone who loves PB + chocolate!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/peanut-butter-banana-bites/
Rice Cooker Spanish Rice – jasmine rice cooked w Rice Cooker Spanish Rice – jasmine rice cooked with chicken broth, tomatoes, onions, and spices! The rice cooker does ALL the work!

I always burned rice on the stove, you guys! No matter what I did! But since using a rice cooker almost a decade ago, my rice comes out perfectly fluffy every time!

Just throw all the ingredients in, turn it on, and walk away! The work is done for you!

Pro tip: Make sure to include some of the tomato juice when measuring – we need it to help cook the rice properly!

Perfect for taco night, burrito bowls, fajitas, or anytime you want flavorful rice without the fuss! 

💬 Comment "SPANISHRICE" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for easy dinners
📤 SHARE with someone who burns rice!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/rice-cooker-spanish-rice
Easy Ravioli Lasagna – meat sauce, cheese raviol Easy Ravioli Lasagna – meat sauce, cheese ravioli, and mozzarella layered to make the easiest baked pasta dish! 

You guys have LOVED my easy dinner recipes lately, so here's another one! This lasagna cuts prep time in half while keeping all the same flavors and textures you love! 

The genius shortcut? Frozen cheese ravioli = no boiling pasta + no mixing ricotta! The ravioli cooks in the oven and the cheese filling acts as the ricotta layer!

Pro tip: Drain the beef well after cooking before adding sauce – otherwise it'll be too greasy!

Perfect for weeknight dinners, family meals, potlucks, or anytime you want lasagna without the fuss! 

💬 Comment "RAVIOLI" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for easy dinners
📤 SHARE with someone who needs this!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/easy-ravioli-lasagna/

#Lasagna #RavioliLasagna #EasyDinner #BakedPasta #PastaRecipe #FamilyDinner #ComfortFood #ItalianFood
Easy Homemade Refrigerator Pickles – classic dil Easy Homemade Refrigerator Pickles – classic dill pickles made with garlic and dill that cure right in your fridge! No canning required!

I never thought I'd want to make my own pickles, you guys, but then I tried homemade pickles at a restaurant and was BLOWN AWAY! They were super salty but not as vinegary as store-bought, still super green, and SO crunchy!

The best part? No intimidating canning process! These refrigerator pickles cure in your fridge and are ready in just 2 days!

Pro tip: Cut the ends off your cucumbers first – the ends have enzymes that make them soft during pickling!

Perfect for Memorial Day, summer BBQs, picnics, or anytime you want restaurant-quality pickles at home! 

💬 Comment "PICKLES" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for summer entertaining
📤 SHARE with someone who loves pickles!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/easy-homemade-refrigerator-pickles/
#Pickles #HomemadePickles #RefrigeratorPickles #DillPickles #PickleRecipe

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