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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

The Best Recipes for Homegating

The Best Recipes for Homegating

appetizer· round-up· snacks· Tailgating Recipes
September 27, 2018

Homegating – a gathering of friends and family to watch sports at someone’s home. I’ve been a fan of homegating…
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The Best Cookie Recipes!

The Best Cookie Recipes!

Cookies· round-up
August 2, 2018

A collection of incredible cookie recipes and cookie-inspired recipes from Certified Pastry Aficionado over the years One of my favorite…
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Best Recipes of 2017

Best Recipes of 2017

round-up
December 28, 2017

And just like that, another year is coming to an end. This year was definitely one of my most creative,…
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72 Incredible Ways to Celebrate Spring

72 Incredible Ways to Celebrate Spring

round-up
May 5, 2017

Surprise! I usually only give you guys a couple posts a week. But this week, we’re celebrating Spring in the…
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30 Irresistible Springtime Sweets

30 Irresistible Springtime Sweets

Easter· round-up
April 6, 2017

Easter is next week, people! Next. Week. Are you panicking yet?? Have no fear! I am here to help you…
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Best Recipes of 2016

Best Recipes of 2016

round-up
December 27, 2016

Man, what a year! 2016 sure has been a memorable one, that’s for sure. As you remember, I started this…
Read More

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

zoomed in shot of Sage & Browned Butter Hasselback Sweet Potatoes, shot from a side angle

Sage & Browned Butter Hasselback Sweet Potatoes

zoomed in shot of a plate of stacked chocolate gingerbread truffles with one with a bite out of it, shot from a side angle

Chocolate Gingerbread Truffles

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

Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Sage Browned Butter

two mugs of Cinnamon Maple Latte topped with whipped cream and sprinkled with pecans with dunkin donuts creamer and a stack of pumpkins on top of a cloth napkin, shot from a side angle

Cinnamon Maple Latte

pint glass of pumpkin cream cold brew coffee with a metal straw

Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

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holiday favorite

close up of chocolate coquito with a dollop of whipped cream on top and a dust of cinnamon and cocoa powder

Chocolate Coquito

photo of creme brulee doughnuts stacked together with the top doughnut missing a bite

Crème Brûlée Doughnuts

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

Cranberry Apple Sangria

close up of banana fritter with a bite removed sitting on a plate with other banana fritters

Banana Fritters

a slice of chocolate cream pie with a bite out of it on a plate with more pie in the background, shot from the front

Chocolate Cream Pie

 

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
Restaurant-Quality Sirloin at Home! This sirloin Restaurant-Quality Sirloin at Home! 

This sirloin with creamy onion blue cheese sauce is EVERYTHING! Tender grilled steak topped with a rich, savory sauce made from caramelized onions, heavy cream, Worcestershire, and blue cheese crumbles. It tastes like a fancy steakhouse dinner but you can make it at home!

Why you'll LOVE this recipe:
✨ Restaurant-quality results
✨ Only 6 simple ingredients
✨ That sauce is INCREDIBLE
✨ Perfect for grilling season
✨ Date night or special occasions
✨ Can grill OR cook indoors

Here's what makes this special: the sauce! 

It's made with just 4 ingredients - butter, onions, cream, Worcestershire, and blue cheese. The onions get caramelized until they're sweet and slightly charred, then you add cream and let it thicken, finish with blue cheese crumbles that melt into the most incredible creamy, savory sauce! 

I love ordering steak at fancy steakhouses, but with this recipe, I can recreate that experience at home! Sirloin is more affordable than filet but still tender and delicious. And that sauce? It takes it to the NEXT level! 

Pro tips:
🔸 Use a meat thermometer (no guessing!)
🔸 Bring steak to room temp before cooking
🔸 Let steak rest 5-10 min before slicing
🔸 Lower heat before adding cream
🔸 Not a blue cheese fan? Use half the amount!

This is perfect for Father's Day, date night at home, or any time you want to treat yourself to something special! Serve it sliced on a platter for elegant presentation or as individual steaks. Either way, that sauce is EVERYTHING! 

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

#SirloinSteak #BlueCheeseSauce #SteakDinner #GrillingRecipes #SteakRecipes #FancyDinner

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