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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Honey Mustard Vinaigrette

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Honey Mustard Vinaigrette

Fall Flavors· sides
November 14, 2019

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Honey Mustard Vinaigrette – Brussels sprouts are oven roasted and then tossed in a honey mustard…
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Bacon Corn Casserole

Bacon Corn Casserole

Holiday Favorites· sides
November 4, 2019

Bacon Corn Casserole – Corn casserole is like corn bread but with a fluffy, moist texture unlike any cornbread you’ve…
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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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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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Asparagus Risotto

Asparagus Risotto

Easter· Popular Recipes· sides
May 6, 2019

Asparagus Risotto – Creamy, cheesy homemade risotto is taken up a notch with the addition of crispy asparagus  Risotto is…
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Goat Cheese & Sweet Corn Grits

Goat Cheese & Sweet Corn Grits

Easter· Holiday Favorites· sides
April 29, 2019

Goat Cheese & Sweet Corn Grits – Creamy sweet corn grits get even creamier with a few dollops of smooth…
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Easy Sheet-pan Zucchini Gratin

Easy Sheet-pan Zucchini Gratin

sides
January 17, 2019

Easy Sheet-pan Zucchini Gratin – The effort for making zucchini gratin is cut in half, thanks to this easy sheet-pan recipe,…
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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

close up of a slice of pumpkin crumb cake separated from the rest of the cake but not on a plate yet

Pumpkin Crumb Cake

close up of pretzel bread pudding slice on a plate in a pool of whiskey sauce

Pretzel Bread Pudding

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

Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Sage Browned Butter

plate of pecan sticky bun

Pecan Sticky Buns

close up of potato dinner rolls on a wooden round serving platter

Potato Dinner Rolls

a plate of pie crust chips with a bowl of Salted Caramel Apple Pie Dip on it and a jar of caramel behind it, shot from a side angle

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Dip with Pie Crust Chips

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

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holiday favorite

close up of a mint chocolate fudge cookie surrounded by chocolate chips

Mint Chocolate Fudge Cookies

close up of caramel swirl meringue on a baking sheet

Caramel Swirl Meringues

cherry almond pastry cake with a wedge removed

Cherry Almond Pastry Cake

Candied Pecans

a hand holding a cinnamon roll doughnut showing off the glazed topping

Cinnamon Roll Doughnuts

 

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
Mixed Berry Fool – a no-bake British dessert mad Mixed Berry Fool – a no-bake British dessert made from sweetened smashed berries folded into fresh whipped cream!

I learned about this from my Great British Baking Show binges, you guys! A "fool" is just crushed fruit folded into whipped cream – SO simple! This version uses strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries for the perfect spring treat!

Everyone in my family loved this! Creamy, light, tart, and sweet all at once!
Pro tip: Chill the berries for 15 minutes but DON'T let them freeze – stir occasionally to prevent ice crystals!

Perfect for Easter, Valentine's Day, spring brunches, or anytime you need an elegant no-bake dessert! 🌸

💬 Comment "BERRYFOOL" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for spring entertaining
📤 SHARE with someone who loves berries

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/mixed-berry-fool

#MixedBerryFool #BerryFool #NoBakeDessert #SpringDesserts #BritishDessert #EasterDessert #BerryDessert #FreshBerries #SummerDessert #BrunchDessert

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