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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Peach Caprese Salad

Peach Caprese Salad

salad· sides
August 5, 2019

Peach Caprese Salad – Sweet, juicy peaches are layered with fresh mozzarella and fresh basil and then drizzled with balsamic…
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Avocado Cucumber Salad

Avocado Cucumber Salad

appetizer· Easter· salad· Summertime Favorites
May 30, 2019

Avocado Cucumber Salad – Fresh avocado and mini cucumber slices are tossed with red onion, cilantro, and homemade avocado lime…
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Avocado Egg Salad Sandwich

Avocado Egg Salad Sandwich

salad· sandwiches & wraps
April 4, 2019

Avocado Egg Salad Sandwich – Mayonnaise is replaced with creamy avocados to turn classic egg salad into a healthier treat…
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Caesar Pasta Salad

Caesar Pasta Salad

appetizer· Easter· pizza & pasta· salad· sides· Summertime Favorites
June 28, 2018

Caesar Pasta Salad – Penne pasta is tossed with your favorite Caesar salad ingredients to make for an incredible side…
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Southern Cobb Salad

Southern Cobb Salad

chicken entrees· salad· Summertime Favorites
May 7, 2018

Southern Cobb Salad – A Southern take on a Cobb salad, loaded with fried chicken tenders, fresh strawberries, grapes, Granny…
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Healthy Waldorf Salad

Healthy Waldorf Salad

appetizer· Easter· salad· sides· snacks· Summertime Favorites
April 6, 2018

Healthy Waldorf Salad – This classic salad of apples, grapes, walnuts, and celery is given a healthy makeover with the…
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Lemon Avocado Pasta Salad

Lemon Avocado Pasta Salad

appetizer· Easter· salad· Summertime Favorites
January 8, 2018

Lemon Avocado Pasta Salad – Orzo pasta is tossed with fresh cherry tomatoes, creamy avocado, basil, olive oil, and fresh…
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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

styled shot of Sparkling Apple Cider Sangria

Sparkling Apple Cider Sangria

staged shot of pumpkin cinnamon crunch muffins with sprinkled pecans and pumpkins in the background, shot from a side angle

Pumpkin Cinnamon Crunch Muffins

angled view of cup of dirt pudding

Cup of Dirt Pudding

Roasted Brussel Sprouts in a baking dish with melted butter and a spoon in it, shot from a side angle

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Honey Mustard Vinaigrette

Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes

Butterscotch Pear Turnovers on a baking sheet with parchment paper, shot from overhead

Butterscotch Pear Turnovers

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

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holiday favorite

a hand holding up a maple molasses cookie to show all the detailed cracks in the top of the cookie

Maple Molasses Cookies

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

a whisking bowl with Garlic & Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes with a wooden spoon in it, shot from overhead

Garlic & Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes

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

Cinnamon Apple Kolaches

close up angle of pumpkin cinnamon roll pancakes stacked on a white plate

Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

 

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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