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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Classic Pot Roast

Classic Pot Roast

beef entrees· entrees
November 18, 2021

Classic Pot Roast – Chuck roast is slowly roasted in a jus made of beef broth, carrots, celery, and onions….
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My Favorite Meatloaf

My Favorite Meatloaf

beef entrees· entrees
June 28, 2021

My Favorite Meatloaf – This recipe for meatloaf is lean yet flavorful and uses ingredients that you already have available!…
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Mongolian Beef

Mongolian Beef

beef entrees· entrees
May 18, 2020

Mongolian Beef – Tender strips of beef and vegetables are cooked in a sweet and savory soy sauce and served…
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The Easiest Thai Chicken Curry

The Easiest Thai Chicken Curry

chicken entrees· entrees
May 8, 2020

The Easiest Thai Chicken Curry – This red curry chicken is so simple but oh so flavorful. And with the…
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Orange Chicken

Orange Chicken

chicken entrees· entrees· Valentine's Day
January 2, 2020

Orange Chicken – Chicken is fried in tempura batter and then tossed in a homemade sticky orange sauce to make…
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Cacio e Pepe Pasta Risotto

Cacio e Pepe Pasta Risotto

entrees· pizza & pasta· Valentine's Day
October 14, 2019

Cacio e Pepe Pasta Risotto – This classic Italian pasta dish made with fresh ground pepper and Pecorino Romano cheese,…
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Pork Gouda Burgers

Pork Gouda Burgers

entrees· pork entrees· sandwiches & wraps· Summertime Favorites
May 13, 2019

Pork Gouda Burgers – Burgers made from ground pork and topped with smoked gouda cheese, caramelized onions, and homemade garlic…
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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

front shot of sweet potato cornbread in a cast iron skillet

Sweet Potato Cornbread

styled shot of a stack of chocolate pecan pie cheesecake bars

Chocolate Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars

styled shot of Sparkling Apple Cider Sangria

Sparkling Apple Cider Sangria

slice of carrot snack cake on a pink plate

Carrot Snack Cake

close up of two brown sugar cinnamon cookie bars stacked on top of each other

Brown Sugar Cinnamon Cookie Bars

zoomed in shot of cut up apple cider caramels

Apple Cider Caramels

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

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holiday favorite

overhead zoomed in shot of cranberry cookies with white chocolate drizzle

Cranberry Cookies with White Chocolate Drizzle

angled shot of french almond cakes sitting on a white plate

French Almond Cakes (Financiers)

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

Rum Cake

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

Soft, Frosted Sugar Cookies

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

 

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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