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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

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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Greek Lemon Potatoes

Greek Lemon Potatoes

Easter· Holiday Favorites· sides· Summertime Favorites
April 5, 2021

Greek Lemon Potatoes – Yukon gold baby potatoes are cooked in a mixture of garlic, lemon juice, chicken broth, and…
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Sage & Brown Butter Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Sage & Brown Butter Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Fall Flavors· Holiday Favorites· sides
November 23, 2020

Sage & Brown Butter Mashed Sweet Potatoes – Sweet Potatoes are mashed together with chopped sage and browned butter. Thanksgiving…
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Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes

Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes

Fall Flavors· Holiday Favorites· sides
October 8, 2020

Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes – The filling from baked sweet potatoes is added to maple syrup, butter, spices, and cream…
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Bourbon Brown Sugar Bacon

Bourbon Brown Sugar Bacon

appetizer· breakfast· pork entrees· sides
June 18, 2020

Bourbon Brown Sugar Bacon – Oven-baked bacon is topped with bourbon and brown sugar to give you a yummy sweet…
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Twice Baked Potatoes

Twice Baked Potatoes

appetizer· sides· Summertime Favorites
April 27, 2020

Twice Baked Potatoes – Russet potatoes are baked to soften them up and then the filling is mixed with cheese,…
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Roasted Garlic Mushrooms

Roasted Garlic Mushrooms

Holiday Favorites· sides
December 23, 2019

Roasted Garlic Mushrooms – Cremini mushrooms are loaded with garlic, olive oil, and butter, roasted until cooked through, 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

styled shot of pumpkin snickerdoodles

Pumpkin Snickerdoodles

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

Mini Pumpkin Doughnut Muffins

Pumpkin Tres Leches

close up of apple pie slide doughnut sitting on a tray with other doughnuts

Apple Pie Slider Doughnuts

overhead shot of slices of pear coffee cake

Pear Coffee Cake

zoomed in shot of a bowl of sweet potato gnocchi, shot from a side angle

Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Sage Browned Butter

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

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holiday favorite

a plate with a slice of stone fruit tart and slices of fruit in the background, shot from the front

Stone Fruit Tart

nutella pastry rolls on a sheet of parchment paper with a spoonful of nutella next to them

Nutella Pastry Rolls

close up of a split bun with cream & jam

Split Buns with Cream and Jam

Honey Wheat Bread Loaves

close up of cherry almond couffle with a spoonful exposing the center

Cherry Almond Soufflé

 

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/
These babies are called Peanut Butter Blossoms! T These babies are called Peanut Butter Blossoms!

The peanut butter cookie base is so soft and chewy, with just the right amount of sweetness from the sugar coating. And that Hershey Kiss on top? It's not just decoration – it's an essential part of the experience! Every bite has peanut butter AND chocolate!

Perfect for Christmas cookie trays, holiday cookie exchanges, bake sales, homemade gifts, or honestly ANY time you're craving that classic peanut butter and chocolate combo! 

Ready to make these classics? https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/peanut-butter-blossoms/
These Mint Chocolate Fudge Cookies have so many el These Mint Chocolate Fudge Cookies have so many elements that it was really hard to name them! They're chewy, chocolatey, minty, have a layer of buttercream, and a nice dollop of fudge on top. I decided 4 words were the max I could use when naming them so I settled on mint chocolate fudge cookies!

Mint cookies have long been a love of mine, whether it's a thin mint or mint cookie ice cream. I love the duo of chocolate and mint together, but it is EVEN better when the chocolate is in the form of a cookie! 

March tends to be the unofficial month of mint because of St. Patrick's Day and the Shamrock Shake at McDonald's making its annual appearance this time of year. So I had to give you a fun, new mint cookie to celebrate these flavors! 

Perfect for St. Patrick's Day parties, cookie exchanges, gifts for mint chocolate lovers, or any time you want to impress with a stunning cookie! 

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/mint-chocolate-fudge-cookies/
I present to you my Pigs in a Blanket Wreath! The I present to you my Pigs in a Blanket Wreath!

The wreath isn't hard to assemble at all! You just make the little pigs in a blanket like you normally do - using crescent dough and mini hot dogs - but just arrange them in a ring and bake. Simple as that! I added a little poppy seeds to step up the presentation a little. But if you have picky little eaters, you can leave them off!

About that dipping sauce... When serving the wreath, don't forget the dipping sauce! I love honey mustard with my hot dogs so that's what I wanted to serve with this wreath. But not just any honey mustard. No, no. This is a Dr Pepper honey mustard, guys! I make a killer Dr Pepper mustard glaze for my Thanksgiving ham so I know first-hand how well Dr Pepper pairs with the mustard flavors! 

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/pigs-in-a-blanket-wreath/
For this Roasted Tomato Mac & Cheese, I've topped For this Roasted Tomato Mac & Cheese, I've topped it with roasted tomatoes to help balance out the richness of the cheese and pasta. Because the tomatoes are roasted, they have a similar flavor you would find in a tomato soup. And we all know how incredible cheese and tomato soup go together! 

The combination of creamy, rich mac and cheese with those slightly acidic, charred roasted tomatoes is PERFECTION. It's like eating grilled cheese with tomato soup, but elevated! The tomatoes cut through the richness in the best way possible.

Perfect for cozy nights, family dinners, or potlucks! 

Ready to make this? 💌 Comment "MAC" below and I'll send you the link!

#MacAndCheese #ComfortFood #PastaRecipes

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