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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Grilled Shrimp Summer Salad

Grilled Shrimp Summer Salad

salad· seafood· seafood entrees· Summertime Favorites
August 10, 2021

Grilled Shrimp Summer Salad – Grilled shrimp is placed on top of a bed of romaine lettuce, sliced avocado, and…
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Wild Rice Salad

Wild Rice Salad

appetizer· Easter· salad· sides· Summertime Favorites· Tailgating Recipes
April 15, 2021

Wild Rice Salad – Hearty wild rice is tossed in a tangy vinaigrette with dried cranberries, sliced almonds, corn, and…
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Apple Pecan Farro Salad

Apple Pecan Farro Salad

appetizer· Easter· Fall Flavors· salad· Summertime Favorites
March 29, 2021

Apple Pecan Farro Salad – Tender farro grains are tossed with a homemade apple cider vinaigrette, pecans, dried cranberries, and…
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Tomato Panzanella Salad

Tomato Panzanella Salad

appetizer· Easter· salad· snacks· Summertime Favorites· Tailgating Recipes
June 29, 2020

Tomato Panzanella Salad – Crispy bread is tossed with a homemade vinaigrette, tomatoes, red onion, basil, and cucumber to make…
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Citrus Almond Salad

Citrus Almond Salad

chicken entrees· salad· Summertime Favorites
May 11, 2020

Citrus Almond Salad – Romaine lettuce is tossed with fresh orange segments, sliced almonds, feta cheese, diced chicken, dried cranberries,…
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Honey Mustard Chopped Salad

Honey Mustard Chopped Salad

chicken entrees· salad· Summertime Favorites
April 13, 2020

Honey Mustard Chopped Salad – Chicken breast is marinated in a honey mustard vinaigrette, cooked, and then topped on a…
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Asian Zoodle Salad

Asian Zoodle Salad

salad· sides· Summertime Favorites
August 13, 2019

Asian Zoodle Salad – Zucchini noodles are tossed with cilantro, peppers, carrots, red cabbage, peanuts, and a homemade Asian dressing. …
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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

photo of cinnamon apple kolaches with granny smith apples in the background

Cinnamon Apple Kolaches

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

Banana Bread Granola

apple cinnamon monkey bread with a chunk out of it and sliced apples in front, shot from a side angle

Apple Cinnamon Monkey Bread

Candied Pecans

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

Cranberry Apple Sangria

close up of sliced loaf of chocolate cinnamon babka with the center exposed to see the beautiful swirl of chocolate

Chocolate Cinnamon Babka

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

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holiday favorite

Berry Mimosas in flutes pictured with champagne and bowl of berries

Berry Mimosas

baked brie with roasted pears and walnuts on top

Roasted Pear Baked Brie

zoomed in shot of min fruit tarts, shot from a side angle

Classic Fruit Tarts

cranberry lime mojitos with cranberries and slices of lime

Cranberry Lime Mojitos

a short glass with a gold rim filled with cherry bourbon spritz and a garnish of rosemary twig

Cherry Bourbon Spritz

 

Jelly Roll French Toast – white bread rolled wit Jelly Roll French Toast – white bread rolled with raspberry jam, dipped in egg custard, griddled, and rolled in sugar!

One of the best parts of cooking for kids is making food in fun shapes, you guys! These jelly roll french toast sticks do just that! But don't think they're only for kids – the flavor and texture is SO yummy that adults love them too!

The secret? White bread is the softest, making it easiest to flatten and roll up!
Pro tip: Don't overfill with jam or the rolls could unravel while cooking! And roll them in sugar while they're still hot so it sticks better!

Perfect for weekend breakfast, brunch, Easter morning, or anytime you want a fun twist on French toast! 

💬 Comment "JELLYROLL" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for weekend mornings
📤 SHARE with someone who has kids!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/jelly-roll-french-toast
Berry Crumble Pie – homemade pie crust filled wi Berry Crumble Pie – homemade pie crust filled with four kinds of berries and baked with a brown sugar cinnamon crumble topping!

My husband said this might be his NEW favorite pie, you guys – and apple has ALWAYS been his #1! What he loves? The sweet and tart flavors balancing each other perfectly, plus that crispy (not crunchy!) cinnamon crumble! 

The secret? Starting with a blueberry sauce creates a thick base so the filling doesn't get watery!

Pro tip: Don't cut into this pie until it's completely cooled (3 hours!) or it will fall apart everywhere!

Perfect for Thanksgiving, holidays, or anytime you want an incredible berry pie!

💬 Comment "BERRYPIE" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for pie season
📤 SHARE with someone who loves pie!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/berry-crumble-pie/
Caesar Pasta Salad – penne pasta tossed with all Caesar Pasta Salad – penne pasta tossed with all your favorite Caesar salad ingredients! 🥗

I'm not usually a huge creamy pasta salad fan, you guys, but this one BLEW ME AWAY! The homemade Caesar dressing adds SO much bold flavor and only gets better as time goes by! 

The combo of crispy romaine, perfectly al dente pasta, juicy tomatoes, and that incredible dressing? Perfection!

Pro tip: Shred your own Parmesan cheese! Pre-shredded is too thick – freshly shredded blends into the salad SO much better!

Perfect for summer BBQs, potlucks, picnics, or anytime you need an amazing pasta salad! ☀️

💬 Comment "CAESAR" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for summer entertaining
📤 SHARE with someone who loves Caesar salad!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/caesar-pasta-salad
#PastaSalad #CaesarSalad #SummerSalad #PastaSaladRecipe #SummerSide #SummerRecipes #EasySalad #HomemadeDressing #PastaSalads #SummerFood
Grilled Bang Bang Shrimp Skewers – grilled shrim Grilled Bang Bang Shrimp Skewers – grilled shrimp covered in a spicy, creamy, sweet chili sauce!

Grilling is my FAVORITE, you guys! Those charred grill marks add SO much flavor! This is my grilled twist on the classic fried Bang Bang Shrimp from that upscale seafood restaurant – healthier and just as delicious! 

The sauce is simply mayo + sweet chili sauce + sriracha. SO easy!

Pro tip: Taste your sauce first and add more sriracha if needed – mine was too mild so I kept adding more! And soak those wooden skewers for 30 minutes so they don't catch fire!

Perfect for summer BBQs, pool parties, or anytime you want easy grilled appetizers! 

💬 Comment "BANGBANG" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for grilling season
📤 SHARE with someone who loves shrimp!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/grilled-bang-bang-shrimp-skewers

#BangBangShrimp #GrilledShrimp #ShrimpSkewers #BBQRecipes #GrilledSeafood #ShrimpRecipes #PoolPartyFood #OutdoorCooking #SummerFood
Carrot Snack Cake – a single-layer carrot cake t Carrot Snack Cake – a single-layer carrot cake topped with homemade cream cheese frosting and sprinkled with chopped pecans!

Easter isn't the same without carrot cake, but who has time for a three-layer version anymore? Not me! This snack cake has ALL the classic flavors – cinnamon, carrot, nutmeg, brown sugar, pecans – with HALF the effort! 

Made in a 9x9 pan and you can even frost it right in the pan for extra simplicity!
Pro tip: Freshly shred your carrots – they're softer and taste SO much better than pre-shredded matchstick carrots!

Perfect for Easter, spring gatherings, potlucks, or anytime you want carrot cake without the fuss! 

💬 Comment "CARROTCAKE" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for easy baking
📤 SHARE with someone who loves carrot cake!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/carrot-snack-cake/
#CarrotCake #CarrotSnackCake #EasterDessert #SpringDesserts #EasyCake #CakeRecipes #HomemadeCake #SpringBaking #EasyDessert #SheetCake

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