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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Irish Beef Stew

Irish Beef Stew

beef entrees· Popular Recipes· soup
March 12, 2020

Irish Beef Stew – Beef is slow cooked with veggies and beer to make it super tender and comforting. I…
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Chicken Gyro Bowls

Chicken Gyro Bowls

chicken entrees· Popular Recipes
January 6, 2020

Chicken Gyro Bowls – Mixed greens are topped with Greek chicken, chickpeas, tomato cucumber salad, feta cheese, and a homemade…
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Classic Fruit Tarts

Classic Fruit Tarts

dessert· Easter· Holiday Favorites· pie· Popular Recipes· Valentine's Day
December 9, 2019

Classic Fruit Tarts – Rich vanilla pastry cream is filled into a buttery mini tart shell and covered with fresh…
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Chocolate Snickerdoodles

Chocolate Snickerdoodles

Cookies· dessert· Fall Flavors· Holiday Favorites· Popular Recipes· Valentine's Day
November 7, 2019

Chocolate Snickerdoodles – Chewy, rich chocolate cookies are rolled in cinnamon sugar to give them a comforting spice that is…
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Garlic Parmesan Pull-Apart Bread

Garlic Parmesan Pull-Apart Bread

appetizer· bread· pizza & pasta· Popular Recipes· Tailgating Recipes
October 10, 2019

Garlic Parmesan Pull-Apart Bread – Homemade pizza dough is tossed with herbs, butter, garlic, and Parmesan cheese, and then baked…
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Butterscotch Pear Turnovers

Butterscotch Pear Turnovers

breakfast· dessert· Fall Flavors· pastries· Popular Recipes
October 7, 2019

Butterscotch Pear Turnovers – diced pears, butterscotch sauce, and a pinch of cinnamon are stuffed into puff pastry to make…
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Potato Skin Bites

Potato Skin Bites

appetizer· Popular Recipes· Tailgating Recipes
September 3, 2019

Potato Skin Bites – Potatoes skins just got a whole lot easier to make! Russet potatoes are slices into coins,…
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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

pumpkin challah bread sliced with a knife

Pumpkin Challah Bread

Maple Pecan Scones

zoomed in shot of cut up apple cider caramels

Apple Cider Caramels

warm banana bread with a couple bites removed sitting on a plate with two scoops on butter pecan ice cream stacked on top and caramelized bananas over the top and a spoon on the side

Banana Bread Sundae

angled view of cup of dirt pudding

Cup of Dirt Pudding

close up of a slice of pumpkin crumb cake separated from the rest of the cake but not on a plate yet

Pumpkin Crumb Cake

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

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holiday favorite

baked brie with roasted pears and walnuts on top

Roasted Pear Baked Brie

a plate of Peanut Butter Blossoms and a wrapped hershey kiss next to them and a pan of more cookies and hershey kisses in the background, shot from a side angle

Peanut Butter Blossoms

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

Cinnamon Raisin Rugelach

a mug of Raspberry Hot Chocolate topped with raspberries and marshmallows on a plate with more raspberries and marshmallows surrounding it on top of a plaid tablecloth, shot from the front

Raspberry Hot Chocolate

a trio of gingerbread souffles on a serving platter

Gingerbread Soufflé

 

These Dijon Apple Pork Chops are proof that weekni These Dijon Apple Pork Chops are proof that weeknight dinners can be BOTH quick and fancy!

Perfectly cooked pork chops topped with a Dijon apple pan sauce made with fresh apples, rosemary, apple cider, and a touch of Dijon mustard. It's fall flavors at their finest, and it's ready in just 30 minutes!

Why you'll LOVE this recipe:
✨ Quick weeknight dinner (30 minutes!)
✨ Fall flavors you can enjoy all season
✨ Restaurant-quality at home
✨ Simple ingredients you probably have
✨ Pan sauce is EVERYTHING

Here's the magic: while the pork stays hot, we make the sauce first - apples sautéed with rosemary, then simmered in apple cider until tender, finished with Dijon and butter. Pour it over perfectly seared pork chops and you've got a dinner that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen!

The combination of sweet apples, fragrant rosemary, and tangy Dijon is absolutely PERFECT with pork. Serve with roasted Brussels sprouts and mashed potatoes for the ultimate fall dinner!

Pro tips:
🔸 Use pork chops that are at least 1 inch thick
🔸 Go easy on rosemary (it's powerful!)
🔸 Let pork rest 5 minutes before serving
🔸 Cook to 145°F internal temp for juicy chops

Want the full recipe? Comment PORK below and I'll send it straight to your DMs! 

#DijonApplePorkChops #PorkChops #FallDinner #WeekNightDinner #EasyDinner #PorkRecipes #FallRecipes #QuickDinner #30MinuteMeals #PanSauce #AppleRecipes #FallFlavors #DinnerIdeas #EasyRecipes #WeeknightMeals #PorkChopRecipe #FallCooking #HealthyDinner #HomeCooking #DinnerRecipe #FallFood #QuickRecipes #FoodBlogger #Rosemary #AppleCider #FamilyDinner #SeasonalCooking #ComfortFood #Foodie #DeliciousDinner
These aren't your average buttermilk pancakes! Mad These aren't your average buttermilk pancakes! Made with ground pistachios, honey, and a hint of almond extract, these fluffy pancakes are rich, nutty, and absolutely DELICIOUS. 

What makes these pancakes SPECIAL:
✨ Ground pistachios for nutty flavor (no crunch!)
✨ Honey instead of sugar (pairs perfectly with pistachios)
✨ Almond extract brings out the pistachio flavor
✨ Super fluffy texture (the secret: let the batter rest!)
✨ Unique & impressive breakfast

The ground pistachios give these pancakes an incredible flavor and that gorgeous green tint without adding any crunch to your pancakes. The almond extract enhances the pistachio flavor and creates this rich, nutty taste that's SO good! And using honey instead of regular sugar? Game changer!

Top with butter, maple syrup, and extra crushed pistachios for the ultimate presentation!

Pro tips for FLUFFY pancakes:
🔸 Let the batter rest 15-30 minutes (don't skip this!)
🔸 Only add batter to a HOT pan
🔸 Look for bubbles on top before flipping
🔸 Use buttermilk for that classic fluffy texture

Trust me, once you try these pistachio pancakes, you'll want to make them every weekend! The flavor is incredible and they look so impressive stacked up on a plate.

Want the full recipe? Comment PANCAKES below and I'll send it straight to your DMs! 

#PistachioPancakes #PancakeRecipe #BreakfastRecipe #ButtermilkPancakes #HomemadePancakes #PistachioRecipes #WeekendBrunch #BrunchIdeas #FathersDay #FathersDayBreakfast #BreakfastGoals #FluffyPancakes #BreakfastFromScratch #BrunchRecipe #PancakeLove #PistachioLovers #SpecialBreakfast #WeekendBreakfast #HomemadeBreakfast #BreakfastIdeas #FoodBlogger #BrunchGoals #NuttyFlavors #FancyBreakfast #PancakeStack #MorningGoals #BreakfastTime #Foodie #DeliciousBreakfast
This Sweet Potato Gratin is about to steal the sho This Sweet Potato Gratin is about to steal the show at your holiday table! 

Thinly sliced sweet potatoes baked in a maple-spiced cream sauce and topped with Parmesan cheese. It's the perfect balance of sweet and savory, and honestly? It's EASIER than making mashed potatoes!

Why you'll LOVE this recipe:
✨ Sweet & savory flavor combo (maple + Parmesan!)
✨ Impressive presentation but simple to make
✨ Easier AND faster than mashed potatoes
✨ Creamy inside, crispy golden top
✨ Perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any holiday feast

Here's what makes this gratin special: the sweet potatoes are cooked in a cream sauce with maple sugar (or maple syrup), cinnamon, and nutmeg, then topped with grated Parmesan before baking. 

The result is a gorgeous layered side dish that's creamy, rich, and absolutely delicious! The texture is what sets this apart from traditional sweet potato casserole - those thinly sliced layers give you the perfect bite every time. And that crispy, golden Parmesan top? Chef's kiss 

Pro tips:
🔸 Use a mandolin slicer for perfectly even slices (be careful!)
🔸 Use GRATED Parmesan, not shredded (it melts better!)
🔸 Let it cool 15-20 minutes before serving for best texture
🔸 Can swap maple sugar for maple syrup

This is going straight on my Thanksgiving menu, and I think you should add it to yours too! It's fancy enough to impress but easy enough to not stress about. Win-win! 

Want the full recipe? https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/sweet-potato-gratin/
I combined two breakfast classics into one AMAZING I combined two breakfast classics into one AMAZING treat - fluffy homemade cinnamon rolls filled with sliced bananas, chopped walnuts, brown sugar, and cinnamon. 

These Banana Nut Cinnamon Rolls are the breakfast dream you never knew you needed!

Here's what makes them INCREDIBLE:
✨ Fluffy, gooey homemade cinnamon rolls
✨ Fresh banana slices + crunchy walnuts in every bite
✨ Cream cheese frosting with optional walnut topping
✨ Brown sugar cinnamon filling

The secret? I replaced the egg in the dough with mashed banana, which adds SO much flavor without affecting the texture. 

The rolls come out just as fluffy and soft as traditional cinnamon rolls, but with that amazing banana bread taste we all love!

Yes, homemade cinnamon rolls take time (about 3 hours total with rising), but they are SO WORTH IT. 

The keys to success:
🔸 Use fresh yeast (make sure it foams!)
🔸 Knead the dough for the full 5 minutes
🔸 Don't rush the proofing time - fluffy rolls need time to rise!

These are perfect for weekend brunch, special occasions, or any time you want to seriously impress! The combo of bananas, walnuts, and cinnamon is absolutely divine.

Pro tip: You can prep these the night before! Let them do the second rise in the fridge overnight, then bake fresh in the morning. Your house will smell AMAZING! 

Want the full recipe? https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/banana-nut-cinnamon-rolls/
This Pumpkin Crumb Cake is everything you love abo This Pumpkin Crumb Cake is everything you love about coffeehouse crumb cake, but with cozy pumpkin spice vibes! Dense, moist pumpkin cake topped with the most incredible crispy cinnamon sugar crumbs. It's the perfect fall treat!

What makes this crumb cake SO good:
✨ Whole can of pumpkin puree for maximum flavor
✨ Pumpkin pie spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves)
✨ Super moist, slightly dense texture (in the best way!)
✨ Crispy, buttery cinnamon crumb topping
✨ Perfect with your morning coffee or afternoon tea

This is one of my all-time favorite coffeehouse treats, and the pumpkin version is PERFECT for fall! The cake is incredibly moist thanks to the pumpkin puree, and those crispy crumbs on top add the most satisfying texture contrast. It's divine!

You can serve it warm or at room temperature, and it stays fresh for days (if it lasts that long!). 

Perfect for:
🍂 Fall breakfast or brunch
🎃 Thanksgiving dessert
☕ Weekend coffee date at home
🍁 Cozy autumn afternoons

Pro tip: Make the crumb topping first and chill it in the fridge while you make the batter. This helps the crumbs stay crispy during baking!

Want the full recipe? https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/pumpkin-crumb-cake/

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