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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Parfaits

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Parfaits

dessert· Fall Flavors· pie· Summertime Favorites
June 1, 2018

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and Conagra Brands. All opinions are mine alone. #StarsofSummer #CollectiveBias Salted…
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Sweet Potato Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

Sweet Potato Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

cake· Fall Flavors
November 20, 2017

Sweet Potato Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting – Super moist and perfectly spiced sweet potato cupcakes are topped with…
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Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Bread Pudding

Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Bread Pudding

dessert· Fall Flavors· Holiday Favorites
November 9, 2017

This post has been sponsored by High Road Ice Cream. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Bread…
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Sweet Yeast Rolls with Whipped Pumpkin Butter

Sweet Yeast Rolls with Whipped Pumpkin Butter

appetizer· bread· Fall Flavors· Holiday Favorites
November 6, 2017

Sweet Yeast Rolls with Whipped Pumpkin Butter – The fluffiest yeast rolls you’ve ever had with a hint of sweetness…
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Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cookies· Fall Flavors
November 2, 2017

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies – Soft and fluffy pumpkin cookies sprinkled with chocolate chips and perfectly spiced with cinnamon Happy…
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Cinnamon Chocolate Muffins

Cinnamon Chocolate Muffins

breakfast· Fall Flavors· Holiday Favorites· muffins· Valentine's Day
October 30, 2017

Cinnamon Chocolate Muffins – Chewy triple chocolate muffins are spiced with cinnamon and topped with cinnamon sugar for the perfect…
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Salted Caramel Apple Pie Dip with Pie Crust Chips

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Dip with Pie Crust Chips

dessert· dips· Fall Flavors· Summertime Favorites· Tailgating Recipes
October 26, 2017

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Dip with Pie Crust Chips – Decadent homemade apple pie filling is combined with gooey salted…
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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

a plate of pie crust chips with a bowl of Salted Caramel Apple Pie Dip on it and a jar of caramel behind it, shot from a side angle

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Dip with Pie Crust Chips

photo of cinnamon apple kolaches with granny smith apples in the background

Cinnamon Apple Kolaches

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

Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Sage Browned Butter

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

Maple Walnut Cookies

front shot of sweet potato cornbread in a cast iron skillet

Sweet Potato Cornbread

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

Chocolate Snickerdoodles

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

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holiday favorite

cherry almond pastry cake with a wedge removed

Cherry Almond Pastry Cake

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

Cranberry Apple Sangria

two stacked Cinnamon Chocolate Muffins and one muffin cut in half next to it and a pan of cinnamon chocolate muffins, shot from a side angle

Cinnamon Chocolate Muffins

close up of potato dinner rolls on a wooden round serving platter

Potato Dinner Rolls

front shot of sweet potato cornbread in a cast iron skillet

Sweet Potato Cornbread

 

This Classic Crumb Cake is EXACTLY like the one fr This Classic Crumb Cake is EXACTLY like the one from Starbucks – maybe even better! 

Y'all know I worked at Starbucks in college, and this crumb cake was my absolute OBSESSION. Soft, moist cake (hello, sour cream!) topped with thick cinnamon crumbs that just melt in your mouth. Paired with a coffee frappuccino? Pure heaven.

Here's what makes this recipe amazing:
✨ Ready in under 1 hour (rise and bake!)
✨ Super simple ingredients you probably have at home
✨ That sour cream makes it incredibly moist
✨ Perfect crumb-to-cake ratio

The best part? You probably don't even need to make a grocery run. No supermarket visits in pajamas today! 

This is perfect for lazy weekend mornings, Christmas Day breakfast, or whenever you want something special without the fuss. My husband kept complimenting it with EVERY. SINGLE. BITE. (Not that I'm complaining!)

Pro tip: Refrigerate the crumb mixture while you make the batter – this is KEY to getting those perfect crumbs on top! If you skip this step, they'll melt into the cake and you'll lose that amazing texture.

Want the full recipe with all my tips? Comment "CRUMB" below and I'll send it straight to your DMs!

#crumbcake #coffeecake #breakfastrecipes #starbuckscopycat #brunchideas
This Cacio e Pepe Pasta Risotto changed my pasta g This Cacio e Pepe Pasta Risotto changed my pasta game forever!

After having mind-blowing cacio e pepe at Eataly in Boston, I became obsessed with recreating it at home. But here's the problem: the traditional recipe only makes small portions. So I had a lightbulb moment – what if I cooked it risotto-style to feed a crowd?!

The result? Pure magic. By cooking short pasta (I use ditalini!) slowly in chicken broth, you get an ultra-creamy, luscious texture without any cream. Just simple Italian ingredients: Pecorino Romano cheese, fresh black pepper, butter, and good olive oil.

Here's what makes this amazing:
✨ Feeds a crowd (perfect for dinner parties!)
✨ Only 7 ingredients, but packed with flavor
✨ Takes 30 minutes but worth every second
✨ Creamy without any cream

The key? Using the BEST ingredients – fresh ground black pepper and quality extra virgin olive oil make all the difference. And cooking that pepper in the oil at the beginning? That's what gives it that signature cacio e pepe punch!

Pro tip: Dice those onions super small so they don't overpower each bite. Trust me on this one

Ready to make restaurant-quality Italian pasta at home? Comment "PASTA" below and I'll send the full recipe to your DMs! 

#cacioepepe #pastarisotto #italianfood #pastarecipes #dinnerparty
Black Forest Cupcakes are the ultimate delight! R Black Forest Cupcakes are the ultimate delight!

Rich chocolate cupcakes stuffed with amaretto-roasted cherry compote, topped with fresh whipped cream and a chocolate-dipped cherry. They're basically the fancy cupcake version of the classic German cake, and they're absolutely stunning!

Here's what you need to know:
✨ Made with FRESH cherries (it's their peak season!)
✨ Amaretto instead of Kirsch for better flavor
✨ Three delicious components: cake + filling + topping
✨ Easier than they look – just takes some time

Fun fact: The chocolate represents the Black Forest, while the red and white represent traditional colors worn by women of that region. How beautiful is that? 

These are perfect for gatherings, BBQs, or whenever you want to impress someone with an elegant dessert. Multiple people said these were devoured within 2 days – and I totally believe them!

Pro tip: Make sure everything is completely cooled before assembling, or you'll have a melty mess on your hands 

Ready to make cherry season magic? Comment "CHERRIES" below and I'll send the full recipe straight to your DMs!

#blackforestcake #cherryseason #chocolatecupcakes #summerrecipes #elegantdesserts
The secret to getting kids to eat their veggies? W The secret to getting kids to eat their veggies? Wrap them in puff pastry and cheese.

These Broccoli Cheese Pinwheels are a total game-changer in our house. My kids never want vegetables (ok, who are we kidding – NO kid does), but these? They gobble them up without a single complaint!

Here's what makes them amazing:
✨ Only 4 ingredients – puff pastry, cream cheese, broccoli, and shredded cheese
✨ Ready in 30 minutes from start to finish
✨ Perfect for snacks, lunch boxes, or appetizers
✨ Can make them meal-sized or appetizer-sized

The flaky puff pastry + creamy cheese + tender broccoli combo is chef's kiss. One follower said these were gone in SECONDS at their party and everyone wanted the recipe!

Pro tip: Add some shredded chicken to make these a complete meal!

Want the full recipe with all my tips for perfect pinwheels? Comment "PINWHEELS" below and I'll send it straight to your DMs!

#kidfriendlyrecipes #healthysnacks #puffpastry #pinwheels #hiddenveggie
Pull-apart perfection in every bite! This Apple Pull-apart perfection in every bite! 

This Apple Cinnamon Monkey Bread is the ultimate fall treat – fluffy balls of sweet dough stuffed with warm cinnamon apples, rolled in cinnamon sugar, and baked with a sticky brown sugar glaze. It's basically like a giant apple fritter you can pull apart with your hands!

Apple picking season is actually at its peak RIGHT NOW (did you think it was October too?!) so this is the perfect recipe to make with all those fresh apples 🍏

Here's what you need to know:
✨ Easier than you think – yeast dough isn't scary!
✨ 40 little dough balls = maximum pull-apart fun
✨ Each bite has warm cinnamon apples inside
✨ That brown sugar goo? Chef's kiss

Pro tip: Use a nonstick Bundt pan and grease it REALLY well. Trust me on this one.

Perfect for weekend brunch, holiday mornings, or honestly any time you want to impress your people. One follower said her 5-year-old declared this is what they're giving Santa – so you KNOW it's good!

Want the full recipe with all my tips and tricks? Comment "APPLES" below and I'll send it straight to your DMs! 

#monkeybread #applecinnamon #fallbaking #applerecipes #brunchideas

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