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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Cherry Almond Soufflé

Cherry Almond Soufflé

dessert· Holiday Favorites· Valentine's Day
February 10, 2023

Cherry Almond Soufflé – Light almond cake sits atop a cherry compote that makes for a lovely, balanced dessert. We…
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Chocolate Coquito

Chocolate Coquito

drinks· Easter· Holiday Favorites
February 5, 2023

Chocolate Coquito – Creamy chocolate drink with a hint of coconut flavor and spiced rum. It’s a Christmas tradition that…
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Pistachio Loaf

Pistachio Loaf

bread· breakfast· cake· dessert· Easter· Fall Flavors· Holiday Favorites· pastries· snacks
January 15, 2023

Pistachio Loaf – Real pistachios are ground and added to olive oil, eggs, sugar, flour, and a hint of almond…
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Salted Caramel Banana Cream Puffs

Salted Caramel Banana Cream Puffs

dessert· Easter· Holiday Favorites· pastries
December 29, 2022

Salted Caramel Banana Cream Puffs – Homemade choux puffs are filled with fresh whipped cream, a slice of banana and…
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Holiday Mule

Holiday Mule

drinks· Fall Flavors· Holiday Favorites
December 26, 2022

Holiday Mule – Ginger beer, cranberry juice, vodka, apple cider, and Prosecco are combined to make this perfect drink for…
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Gingerbread Soufflé

Gingerbread Soufflé

dessert· Fall Flavors· Holiday Favorites
December 5, 2022

Gingerbread Soufflé – A special holiday version of the classic dessert. This soufflé is the perfect treat to serve all…
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Blackberry Doughnut Cake

Blackberry Doughnut Cake

breakfast· cake· doughnuts and sweet rolls· Easter· Holiday Favorites· pastries
November 27, 2022

Blackberry Doughnut Cake – A dense coffee cake with a hint of nutmeg, filled with blackberry preserves, and covered in…
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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

Roasted Brussel Sprouts in a baking dish with melted butter and a spoon in it, shot from a side angle

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Honey Mustard Vinaigrette

three Sweet Potato Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting on a platter with two cupcakes on a pedestal on top of cotton napkin with whole pecans sprinkled around, shot from a side angle

Sweet Potato Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

apple pie egg roll dipping in caramel sauce

Apple Pie Egg Rolls

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

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

Butterscotch Pear Turnovers

close up of pretzel bread pudding slice on a plate in a pool of whiskey sauce

Pretzel Bread Pudding

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

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holiday favorite

zoomed in shot of a plate of sliced classic tiramisu with a glass dish of tiramisu in the background, shot from the front

Classic Tiramisu

mixed berry fool in a glass with a strawberry and mint garnish on top

Mixed Berry Fool

brooklyn blackout cupcakes

Brooklyn Blackout Cupcakes

slice of pistachio loaf on a cutting board with the rest of the loaf in the background

Pistachio Loaf

close up of cinnamon raisin rugelach to shot the spiral side and yummy filling

Cinnamon Raisin Rugelach

 

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
The FLUFFIEST sweet yeast rolls you'll ever make! The FLUFFIEST sweet yeast rolls you'll ever make!

These beauties are perfectly soft, subtly sweet, and paired with the most incredible whipped pumpkin butter (butter + pumpkin + cinnamon + honey = heaven!).

My husband said these are the best rolls he's ever had, and trust me—he doesn't give compliments lightly 😄

Here's why you need to make these:
✨ Easier than you think (no fancy skills needed!)
✨ Perfectly fluffy and chewy texture
✨ That whipped pumpkin butter is ADDICTIVE
✨ Make ahead and freeze for up to 2 months

Whether it's Thanksgiving, Christmas, or just a cozy family dinner, these rolls will steal the show. The secret? Scalded milk for maximum fluffiness and making sure they're touching in the pan before baking.

Want the full recipe with step-by-step instructions? Comment "ROLLS" below and I'll send it straight to your DMs! 💌
#homemadebread #yeastrolls #thanksgivingrecipes #holidaybaking #pumpkinrecipes

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