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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Peanut Butter Explosion Milkshake

Peanut Butter Explosion Milkshake

dessert· drinks· ice cream· National Ice Cream Month
July 31, 2023

Peanut Butter Explosion Milkshake – A homemade milkshake loaded with peanut butter and decorated with Reese’s Pieces and Reese’s Peanut…
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Tiramisu Sundae

Tiramisu Sundae

ice cream· National Ice Cream Month
July 24, 2023

Tiramisu Sundae – Vanilla bean ice cream is placed on top of coffee-soaked lady fingers and finished with mascarpone whipped…
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Chili Mango Sorbet

Chili Mango Sorbet

ice cream· National Ice Cream Month
July 21, 2023

Chili Mango Sorbet – Fresh mango, lime juice, lime zest, and a little chili powder are blended together and then…
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Blackberry Vanilla Ice Cream

Blackberry Vanilla Ice Cream

ice cream· National Ice Cream Month
July 17, 2023

Blackberry Vanilla Ice Cream – Homemade vanilla ice cream is given a fruity addition of fresh blackberries. Happy belated National…
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Banana Split Parfait

Banana Split Parfait

dessert· ice cream· National Ice Cream Month
July 14, 2023

Banana Split Parfait – The classic banana split goes vertical! Strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate ice creams are topped with homemade…
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Strawberry Pound Cake Sundae

Strawberry Pound Cake Sundae

cake· dessert· ice cream· National Ice Cream Month· Summertime Favorites· Valentine's Day
July 6, 2023

Strawberry Pound Cake Sundae – A slice of buttery pound cake is grilled and then topped with vanilla bean ice…
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Bananas Foster Ice Cream

Bananas Foster Ice Cream

ice cream· National Ice Cream Month
July 3, 2023

Bananas Foster Ice Cream – Homemade vanilla ice cream is swirled with caramelized bananas with a hint of cinnamon July…
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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

overhead shot of slices of pear coffee cake

Pear Coffee Cake

close up pork chops on a plate with Dijon apple pan sauce on top and a rosemary garnish

Dijon Apple Pork Chops

a hand holding up a cinnamon bun soft pretzel

Cinnamon Bun Soft Pretzels

two pints of high road ice cream stacked on top of each other with glass dishes of apple pie sundaes next to them and an apple slice and a apple cut in half in front, shot from the front

Apple Pie Sundae

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

Sweet Potato Gratin

a trio of gingerbread souffles on a serving platter

Gingerbread Soufflé

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holiday favorite

picture of fried goat cheese balls stacked on an appetizer plate with honey drizzling over the top

Fried Goat Cheese Balls

salted caramel banana cream puffs on a round serving plate with bananas in the background

Salted Caramel Banana Cream Puffs

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

Potato Dinner Rolls

stacked and spread out butter pecan macarons with crushed pecans spread around them, shot from a side angle

Butter Pecan Macarons

Pigs in a Blanket Wreath on parchment paper with thyme sprigs and a dish of dipping sauce in the center with cans of dr pepper and plates in the background, shot from a side angle

Pigs in a Blanket Wreath

 

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
These Cornbread Cookies are my new sweet and salty These Cornbread Cookies are my new sweet and salty obsession, you guys! They start out sweet and chewy, much like any other brown sugar cookie. But they finish with a hint of salty cornbread taste. And with the drizzle of honey on top, there is no mistaking that similarity to cornbread! 

These are SO versatile too! Perfect with morning coffee, amazing alongside chili or soup, delicious with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or honestly just slathered with butter! They're like the cookie version of cornbread muffins, but better! 🌟

The sweet and salty combination is absolutely addictive. My family couldn't stop eating them, and I bet yours won't be able to either!

Ready to try these? https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/cornbread-cookies/

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