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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Cuban Sandwiches

Cuban Sandwiches

pork entrees· sandwiches & wraps· Summertime Favorites
September 3, 2020

Cuban Sandwiches – my take on the classic Cuban, made with ham, Mojo pork, Swiss cheese, and a homemade garlic…
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Club Sandwiches

Club Sandwiches

sandwiches & wraps
August 17, 2020

Club Sandwiches – A classic representation of the layered club sandwich, made with turkey, ham, and bacon between slices of…
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PB&J Tacos

PB&J Tacos

sandwiches & wraps· snacks
August 3, 2020

PB&J Tacos – Round pieces of white bread are layered with peanut butter, raspberry jam, and fresh berries to make…
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Turkey Apple Melt

Turkey Apple Melt

sandwiches & wraps
January 13, 2020

Turkey Apple Melt – A classic turkey melt is taken up a notch with the addition of granny smith apples…
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Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels

Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels

Easter· Holiday Favorites· sandwiches & wraps· snacks· Summertime Favorites· Tailgating Recipes
November 21, 2019

Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels – Leftover turkey is rolled into a wrap with a cranberry rosemary cream cheese spread and dried…
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Pork Gouda Burgers

Pork Gouda Burgers

entrees· pork entrees· sandwiches & wraps· Summertime Favorites
May 13, 2019

Pork Gouda Burgers – Burgers made from ground pork and topped with smoked gouda cheese, caramelized onions, and homemade garlic…
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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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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

slices of iced pumpkin scones drizzled with frosting on a wire rack on top of parchment paper, shot from overhead

Iced Pumpkin Scones

styled shot of Sparkling Apple Cider Sangria

Sparkling Apple Cider Sangria

a glass dish with pumpkin cinnamon rolls in it with some missing from the center and a spatula with a pumpkin the background, shot from a side angle

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

front shot of pumpkin loaf cut into slices

My Favorite Pumpkin Loaf

overhead shot of partially eaten baked carrot cake oatmeal in casserole dish with serving spoon

Baked Carrot Cake Oatmeal

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

Mini Pumpkin Doughnut Muffins

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

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holiday favorite

overhead zoomed in shot of cranberry cookies with white chocolate drizzle

Cranberry Cookies with White Chocolate Drizzle

overhead shot of Cinnamon Roll Wreath

Cinnamon Roll Wreath

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

Fried Goat Cheese Balls

a slice of bread being dipped into the butter in a dish of roasted garlic mushrooms with a loaf of bread in the background, shot from a side angle

Roasted Garlic Mushrooms

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

Garlic & Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes

 

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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