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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

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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Pistachio Crème Brulee

Pistachio Crème Brulee

dessert· Easter· Holiday Favorites
April 27, 2021

Pistachio Crème Brulee – Creamy, nutty, and flavorful pistachio custard is finished off with a toasted layer of caramelized sugar…
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Wild Rice Salad

Wild Rice Salad

appetizer· Easter· salad· sides· Summertime Favorites· Tailgating Recipes
April 15, 2021

Wild Rice Salad – Hearty wild rice is tossed in a tangy vinaigrette with dried cranberries, sliced almonds, corn, and…
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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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Greek Lemon Potatoes

Greek Lemon Potatoes

Easter· Holiday Favorites· sides· Summertime Favorites
April 5, 2021

Greek Lemon Potatoes – Yukon gold baby potatoes are cooked in a mixture of garlic, lemon juice, chicken broth, and…
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Carrot Raisin Muffins

Carrot Raisin Muffins

dessert· Easter· Fall Flavors· muffins
April 1, 2021

Carrot Raisin Muffins – Tall, fluffy carrot muffins are studded with golden raisins and chopped walnuts to make a hearty,…
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Apple Pecan Farro Salad

Apple Pecan Farro Salad

appetizer· Easter· Fall Flavors· salad· Summertime Favorites
March 29, 2021

Apple Pecan Farro Salad – Tender farro grains are tossed with a homemade apple cider vinaigrette, pecans, dried cranberries, 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

Butterscotch Pear Turnovers on a baking sheet with parchment paper, shot from overhead

Butterscotch Pear Turnovers

carrot raisin muffins stacked on top of each other and sitting on a purple plate

Carrot Raisin Muffins

a stack of three Apple Cider Crumb Doughnuts on a cloth napkin with more doughnuts around them, shot from the front

Apple Cider Crumb Doughnuts

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

Sweet Potato Gratin

angled view of cup of dirt pudding

Cup of Dirt Pudding

a slice of apple cinnamon stuffed french toast on a plate with powdered sugae

Apple Cinnamon Stuffed French Toast

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photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

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holiday favorite

Peppermint Shortbread Bites

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

Apple Cinnamon Monkey Bread

plate of Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Snowballs with one on top with a bite out of it and cinnamon sticks next to them, shot from the front

Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Snowballs

a hand holding up a maple molasses cookie to show all the detailed cracks in the top of the cookie

Maple Molasses Cookies

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

Chocolate Snickerdoodles

 

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/
These babies are called Peanut Butter Blossoms! T These babies are called Peanut Butter Blossoms!

The peanut butter cookie base is so soft and chewy, with just the right amount of sweetness from the sugar coating. And that Hershey Kiss on top? It's not just decoration – it's an essential part of the experience! Every bite has peanut butter AND chocolate!

Perfect for Christmas cookie trays, holiday cookie exchanges, bake sales, homemade gifts, or honestly ANY time you're craving that classic peanut butter and chocolate combo! 

Ready to make these classics? https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/peanut-butter-blossoms/
These Mint Chocolate Fudge Cookies have so many el These Mint Chocolate Fudge Cookies have so many elements that it was really hard to name them! They're chewy, chocolatey, minty, have a layer of buttercream, and a nice dollop of fudge on top. I decided 4 words were the max I could use when naming them so I settled on mint chocolate fudge cookies!

Mint cookies have long been a love of mine, whether it's a thin mint or mint cookie ice cream. I love the duo of chocolate and mint together, but it is EVEN better when the chocolate is in the form of a cookie! 

March tends to be the unofficial month of mint because of St. Patrick's Day and the Shamrock Shake at McDonald's making its annual appearance this time of year. So I had to give you a fun, new mint cookie to celebrate these flavors! 

Perfect for St. Patrick's Day parties, cookie exchanges, gifts for mint chocolate lovers, or any time you want to impress with a stunning cookie! 

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/mint-chocolate-fudge-cookies/
I present to you my Pigs in a Blanket Wreath! The I present to you my Pigs in a Blanket Wreath!

The wreath isn't hard to assemble at all! You just make the little pigs in a blanket like you normally do - using crescent dough and mini hot dogs - but just arrange them in a ring and bake. Simple as that! I added a little poppy seeds to step up the presentation a little. But if you have picky little eaters, you can leave them off!

About that dipping sauce... When serving the wreath, don't forget the dipping sauce! I love honey mustard with my hot dogs so that's what I wanted to serve with this wreath. But not just any honey mustard. No, no. This is a Dr Pepper honey mustard, guys! I make a killer Dr Pepper mustard glaze for my Thanksgiving ham so I know first-hand how well Dr Pepper pairs with the mustard flavors! 

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/pigs-in-a-blanket-wreath/
For this Roasted Tomato Mac & Cheese, I've topped For this Roasted Tomato Mac & Cheese, I've topped it with roasted tomatoes to help balance out the richness of the cheese and pasta. Because the tomatoes are roasted, they have a similar flavor you would find in a tomato soup. And we all know how incredible cheese and tomato soup go together! 

The combination of creamy, rich mac and cheese with those slightly acidic, charred roasted tomatoes is PERFECTION. It's like eating grilled cheese with tomato soup, but elevated! The tomatoes cut through the richness in the best way possible.

Perfect for cozy nights, family dinners, or potlucks! 

Ready to make this? 💌 Comment "MAC" below and I'll send you the link!

#MacAndCheese #ComfortFood #PastaRecipes

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