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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Autumn Kale Salad

Autumn Kale Salad

appetizer· Fall Flavors· Holiday Favorites· salad
December 15, 2023

Autumn Kale Salad – Chopped kale with roasted sweet potato, pearl couscous, pecans, dried cranberries, and sliced onion, all tossed…
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Chicken Caesar Wrap

Chicken Caesar Wrap

chicken entrees· salad· sandwiches & wraps· Summertime Favorites
June 30, 2023

Chicken Caesar Wrap – Romaine lettuce is tossed with homemade Caesar dressing, grilled chicken, Parmesan cheese, and croutons and then…
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Georgia Peach Salad

Georgia Peach Salad

chicken entrees· salad· Summertime Favorites
June 26, 2023

Georgia Peach Salad – Mixed greens are tossed with grilled chicken, fresh Georgia peaches, pecans, goat cheese crumbles, grape tomatoes,…
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Quinoa Harvest Salad

Quinoa Harvest Salad

Fall Flavors· salad· Summertime Favorites
January 8, 2023

Quinoa Harvest Salad – Spring mix is tossed with roasted sweet potatoes, goat cheese, roasted pepitas, dried cranberries, and quinoa…
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Greek Pasta Salad

Greek Pasta Salad

appetizer· Easter· pizza & pasta· salad· sides
January 1, 2023

Greek Pasta Salad – Orzo pasta is tossed with Greek dressing, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, garbanzo beans, cucumbers and feta cheese,…
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Chopped Strawberry Spinach Salad

Chopped Strawberry Spinach Salad

appetizer· salad· Summertime Favorites
May 19, 2022

Chopped Strawberry Spinach Salad – Baby spinach is chopped and tossed with chopped cucumbers, toasted walnuts, strawberries, chives, and a…
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BBQ Chicken Salad

BBQ Chicken Salad

chicken entrees· salad· Summertime Favorites
April 5, 2022

BBQ Chicken Salad – Green lettuce is topped with BBQ chicken, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, pickled red onions, and…
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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 Tres Leches

overhead shot of Parmesan & Thyme Potatoes Au Gratin in a baking dish

Parmesan & Thyme Potatoes Au Gratin

closeup of mini pumpkin doughnut muffins with one with a bite out of it

Mini Pumpkin Doughnut Muffins

apple pie egg roll dipping in caramel sauce

Apple Pie Egg Rolls

autumn kale salad in a blue salad bowl

Autumn Kale Salad

a baking sheet with banana bread granola and a whole banana on it, shot from a side angle

Banana Bread Granola

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

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holiday favorite

a slice of victoria sandwich cake with a bite remove and a few crumbs on the plate

Victoria Sandwich Cake

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

Chocolate Coquito

Apple Pie Cake

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

Fried Goat Cheese Balls

close up of slice of roasted strawberry bundt cake taken from the side to show the inside of the slice

Roasted Strawberry Bundt Cake

 

Fried Onion Petals – Sweet onion is sliced into Fried Onion Petals – Sweet onion is sliced into petals, seasoned, and fried until perfectly crispy. Served with homemade horseradish sauce.

The inspiration for this snack comes from the Bloomin’ Onion at Outback Steakhouse. Making a whole onion seems so intimidating so I never thought to make it at home. But then the thought came to me – why not fried them in little petals instead? They’re also easier to dip than onion rings.

Without further ado, here are the Fried Onion Petals: https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/fried-onion-petals/
Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken – Chicken breasts ar Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken – Chicken breasts are stuffed with a garlic herb goat cheese and pan fried until they are cooked through. These are perfect for fun, yet easy weeknight dinner.

Recipe: https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/goat-cheese-stuffed-chicken/
Double Chocolate Biscotti – Chocolate cookies ar Double Chocolate Biscotti – Chocolate cookies are loaded with chocolate chips and baked twice to make them extra crispy and perfect for dunking into your favorite hot beverage.

Biscotti is the dessert I never knew I needed. I discovered them in college when I craved a snack while studying for finals. I bought a biscotti at the library coffee shop and dunked it in my coffee. The cookie that I thought was too crunchy suddenly turn soft and chewy. Yum!

Those memories inspired me to make my own biscotti. First, I made these gingerbread biscotti. And then I made this pistachio version. Now, I’m recreating the biscotti I first had many years ago – Double Chocolate Biscotti.

RECIPE: https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/double-chocolate-biscotti/
Classic Fruit Tarts – Rich vanilla pastry cream Classic Fruit Tarts – Rich vanilla pastry cream is filled into a buttery mini tart shell and covered with fresh fruit.

I decided to share a recipe that is (1) perfect to serve during the holidays and (2) absolutely gorgeous to look at. And with that, I present to you my Classic Fruit Tarts!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/classic-fruit-tarts/
Rosemary Cheese Straws – The Southern cheese str Rosemary Cheese Straws – The Southern cheese straw is flavored with fresh rosemary to give them a sophisticated feel.

I am a snacker, through and through. Before meeting my husband and living together, my meals were not planned out and mostly consisted of a lot of small snacks throughout the day. 

Over time, I learned it’s very hard to coordinate meals and get togethers with others when I’m not super hungry so I learned to adapt. But in my core, I am still a snack lover!

Today’s recipe is my newest snack obsession – Rosemary Cheese Straws

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/rosemary-cheese-straws/

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