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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Spiced Carrots with Whipped Feta

Spiced Carrots with Whipped Feta

appetizer· Easter· Fall Flavors· sides· snacks
March 15, 2024

Spiced Carrots with Whipped Feta – Organic small carrots are tossed with cumin, paprika and cinnamon and then roasted to…
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Air Fryer Buffalo Brussel Sprouts

Air Fryer Buffalo Brussel Sprouts

appetizer· sides
November 3, 2023

Air Fryer Buffalo Brussel Sprouts – Air fried Brussel sprouts are tossed in buffalo sauce and then sprinkled with blue…
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Rice Cooker Spanish Rice

Rice Cooker Spanish Rice

sides
April 28, 2023

Rice Cooker Spanish Rice – Jasmine rice is cooked with chicken broth, onions, tomatoes, and spices to make it super…
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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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Broccoli Cheese Pinwheels

Broccoli Cheese Pinwheels

appetizer· sides· snacks· Tailgating Recipes
December 1, 2022

Broccoli Cheese Pinwheels – Puff pastry is rolled up with cream cheese, broccoli, and shredded cheese. They’re sliced into pinwheels…
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Sweet Potato Gratin

Sweet Potato Gratin

Fall Flavors· sides
November 6, 2022

Sweet Potato Gratin – Thinly sliced sweet potatoes are baked with cream and covered in Parmesan cheese to make for…
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Mexican Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Mexican Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

sides
April 25, 2022

Mexican Stuffed Sweet Potatoes – Baked sweet potatoes are stuffed with seasoned black beans, fresh white onion, cilantro and finished…
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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 cinnamon pull apart loaf with a center slice visable

Pumpkin Cinnamon Pull Apart Loaf

a stack of three pumpkin oatmeal cream pies on cotton napkins with a platter behind it with more pies in the background, shot from the front

Pumpkin Oatmeal Cream Pies

angled view of cup of dirt pudding

Cup of Dirt Pudding

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

Mini Pumpkin Doughnut Muffins

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

a hand holding up a cinnamon bun soft pretzel

Cinnamon Bun Soft Pretzels

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

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holiday favorite

cherry almond pastry cake with a wedge removed

Cherry Almond Pastry Cake

Sausage Egg & Cheese Pastry Muffins on a platter with a sprig of rosemary, shot from a side angle

Sausage, Egg, & Cheese Pastry Muffins

apple cinnamon charlotte sitting on a plate with cinnamon sabayon sliced in half to reveal the apples in the center

Apple Cinnamon Charlotte

a plate with stacked strawberry white chocolate eclairs, shot from the front

Strawberry White Chocolate Eclairs

Fudge Striped Cookies on a wire rack drizzled chocolate, shot from a side angle

Fudge Striped Cookies

 

Creamy Skillet Corn Dip – fresh corn mixed with Creamy Skillet Corn Dip – fresh corn mixed with jalapeños, cream cheese, sour cream, and melty Monterrey Jack cheese! 🌽🧀

This is THE ultimate party dip, you guys! Sweet fresh corn + hint of spice + THREE creamy cheeses = pure heaven! Plus you cook AND serve it in the same skillet. Talk about a dream come true! 

The secret? FRESH corn kernels! They have a bite and sweetness you just don't get from canned or frozen. Trust me on this one!

Pro tip: Mix everything in a separate bowl first – way easier than trying to stir in the hot skillet!

Perfect for game day, summer BBQs, taco night, or honestly anytime you need a crowd-pleasing dip! 

💬 Comment "CORNDIP" for the recipe
💾 SAVE this for your next gathering
📤 SHARE with someone who loves dip!

#CreamySkilletCornDip #CornDip #PartyDip #GameDayFood #SummerAppetizers #FreshCorn #MonterreyJack #JalapenoDip #SkilletRecipes #CreamCheeseDip #TailgatingFood #BBQAppetizers #CrowdPleasers #DipRecipes #EasyAppetizers
Authentic Spanish Ham & Cheese Croquettes (Croquet Authentic Spanish Ham & Cheese Croquettes (Croquetas) – crispy fried dumplings with prosciutto, Manchego cheese, and a creamy bechamel base!

These are the ultimate party appetizer and taste exactly like what you'd get at a tapas bar in Madrid! Crispy golden exterior meets gooey, cheesy center. That cheese pull is UNREAL!

Perfect for tapas night, game day, or any party. Frying tips included so don't be scared – just heat your oil for 10+ minutes and don't overcrowd the pan!

Pro tip: Chill the dough for 2+ hours before frying or it'll fall apart!

💬 Comment "CROQUETA" for the full recipe
💾 SAVE this for your next party
📤 SHARE with someone who loves Spanish food!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/ham-cheese-croquettes-croquetas/

#HamCheeseCroquettes #Croquetas #SpanishFood
3-Ingredient Oreo Truffles 😍 One of my favorit 3-Ingredient Oreo Truffles 😍

One of my favorite go-to recipes! I inherited this from my old roommate back in college. She made them for me once and they suddenly took over my life, you guys! I seriously ate like 10 in one sitting. It was that day that I discovered what heartburn was! 

THE RECIPE (makes 48 truffles):

Ingredients:
-1 package Oreos (36 cookies)
-1 package (12 oz) chocolate chips
-1 package (8 oz) cream cheese

Instructions:
1️⃣ Take cream cheese out of fridge to warm slightly (NOT room temp!)
2️⃣ Crush Oreos into crumbs in food processor. Save 1/4 cup for topping
3️⃣ Mix Oreo crumbs + cream cheese with your HANDS until it forms a dough
4️⃣ Roll into balls using teaspoon or melon baller
5️⃣ Chill 10 minutes
6️⃣ Melt chocolate chips in microwave (30-sec increments)
7️⃣ Dip balls in chocolate, let excess drip off
8️⃣ Sprinkle with reserved Oreo crumbs
9️⃣ Chill 1 hour before serving
🔟 Store in fridge!

Save & Share!

#oreotruffles #easydesserts #oreorecipes #nobakedesserts 

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/3-ingredient-oreo-truffles
Well, if you're struggling this morning like I am, Well, if you're struggling this morning like I am, I have the perfect treat to get you moving and grooving!

Almond croissants are, by-far, my favorite pastry, you guys! I love the rich almond filling and the crunch you get from the sliced almonds on top. 

The secret to easy almond croissants? We're using store-bought croissants! Because the filling takes its own time to make, I see no benefit in making these more complicated by making your own croissants, as well. But if that's what you wanna do, you definitely can. I'm just here to assure you that it's definitely not necessary!

Perfect for impressing brunch guests, treating yourself on a lazy Sunday, or bringing bakery vibes into your own kitchen!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/almond-croissants/
The Pumpkin Cheesecake Macaron! Pumpkin butter i The Pumpkin Cheesecake Macaron! 

Pumpkin butter is just like apple butter – a spreadable puree of deliciousness with tons of spices – but made with pumpkin puree instead of apple (duh). I've seen pumpkin butter sold in stores (near the jams and jellies) but it wasn't available at my store yet. 

So I just made my own using a recipe from Skinnytaste. I only made a half-batch and it was more than enough!

Side note: I've been using the leftover pumpkin butter to flavor my coffee in the mornings. Just a teaspoon goes a long way! 

Why these are special: These macarons are so delicate, yet chewy and BEYOND flavorful, you guys! Move over, pumpkin spice latte, there's a new favorite pumpkin treat in town! 

These are restaurant-quality French cookies you can make at home! Yes, they take some practice and attention to detail, but they're SO worth it! The "wow" factor alone is incredible, and they taste even better than they look!

RECIPE: https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/pumpkin-cheesecake-macarons/

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