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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Pork Tomatillo Soup

Pork Tomatillo Soup

pork entrees· soup
November 13, 2023

Pork Tomatillo Soup – Soup made with tomatillos, poblanos, jalapenos, hatch chiles, spices, and slow-cooked pork. Served with Oaxaca cheese….
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Cajun Shrimp Stew

Cajun Shrimp Stew

soup· Tailgating Recipes
January 19, 2023

Cajun Shrimp Stew – Hearty stew is made with a basic roux, Cajun spices, potatoes, and shrimp. It’s a perfect…
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Loaded Potato Soup

Loaded Potato Soup

soup
October 13, 2022

Loaded Potato Soup – Creamy soup is loaded with chunks of potato, sour cream, cheddar cheese, and bacon. A sprinkling…
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Chilled Strawberry Bisque

Chilled Strawberry Bisque

appetizer· Easter· soup· Summertime Favorites· Valentine's Day
February 3, 2022

Chilled Strawberry Bisque – Real strawberries are blended with cream, milk, and a hint of sugar to make for a…
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Thai Red Curry Chicken Soup

Thai Red Curry Chicken Soup

chicken entrees· soup
January 17, 2022

Thai Red Curry Chicken Soup – A hearty soup made with chicken broth and coconut milk and loaded with chicken,…
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Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili

soup
November 4, 2021

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili – This meatless chili still has tons of bite from the chunks of sweet…
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French Onion Soup

French Onion Soup

appetizer· soup
November 16, 2020

French Onion Soup – Caramelized onions create the base for this soup, which is served with a crouton and melted…
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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

side shot of banana bread doughnuts on a purple plate with more doughnuts in the background

Banana Bread Doughnuts

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

Pecan Pie Brownies

overhead shot of spiced carrots on a bed of whipped feta dip

Spiced Carrots with Whipped Feta

picture of apple pecan farro salad served on a white plate

Apple Pecan Farro Salad

styled shot of Turkey Noodle Soup

Turkey Noodle Soup

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

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holiday favorite

plate of bananas foster french toast casserole on a plate with a bottle of syrup and a baking dish with casserole in the background, shot from the front

Bananas Foster French Toast Casserole

zoomed in shot of orange-scented madelines on a white plate

Orange-Scented Madeleines

zoomed in shot of min fruit tarts, shot from a side angle

Classic Fruit Tarts

slice of pistachio loaf on a cutting board with the rest of the loaf in the background

Pistachio Loaf

a plate with an Almond Croissant on it with a baking sheet of more croissants on it with almonds sprinkled around the table, shot from a side angle

Almond Croissants

 

This Cacio e Pepe Pasta Risotto changed my pasta g This Cacio e Pepe Pasta Risotto changed my pasta game forever!

After having mind-blowing cacio e pepe at Eataly in Boston, I became obsessed with recreating it at home. But here's the problem: the traditional recipe only makes small portions. So I had a lightbulb moment – what if I cooked it risotto-style to feed a crowd?!

The result? Pure magic. By cooking short pasta (I use ditalini!) slowly in chicken broth, you get an ultra-creamy, luscious texture without any cream. Just simple Italian ingredients: Pecorino Romano cheese, fresh black pepper, butter, and good olive oil.

Here's what makes this amazing:
✨ Feeds a crowd (perfect for dinner parties!)
✨ Only 7 ingredients, but packed with flavor
✨ Takes 30 minutes but worth every second
✨ Creamy without any cream

The key? Using the BEST ingredients – fresh ground black pepper and quality extra virgin olive oil make all the difference. And cooking that pepper in the oil at the beginning? That's what gives it that signature cacio e pepe punch!

Pro tip: Dice those onions super small so they don't overpower each bite. Trust me on this one

Ready to make restaurant-quality Italian pasta at home? Comment "PASTA" below and I'll send the full recipe to your DMs! 

#cacioepepe #pastarisotto #italianfood #pastarecipes #dinnerparty
Black Forest Cupcakes are the ultimate delight! R Black Forest Cupcakes are the ultimate delight!

Rich chocolate cupcakes stuffed with amaretto-roasted cherry compote, topped with fresh whipped cream and a chocolate-dipped cherry. They're basically the fancy cupcake version of the classic German cake, and they're absolutely stunning!

Here's what you need to know:
✨ Made with FRESH cherries (it's their peak season!)
✨ Amaretto instead of Kirsch for better flavor
✨ Three delicious components: cake + filling + topping
✨ Easier than they look – just takes some time

Fun fact: The chocolate represents the Black Forest, while the red and white represent traditional colors worn by women of that region. How beautiful is that? 

These are perfect for gatherings, BBQs, or whenever you want to impress someone with an elegant dessert. Multiple people said these were devoured within 2 days – and I totally believe them!

Pro tip: Make sure everything is completely cooled before assembling, or you'll have a melty mess on your hands 

Ready to make cherry season magic? Comment "CHERRIES" below and I'll send the full recipe straight to your DMs!

#blackforestcake #cherryseason #chocolatecupcakes #summerrecipes #elegantdesserts
The secret to getting kids to eat their veggies? W The secret to getting kids to eat their veggies? Wrap them in puff pastry and cheese.

These Broccoli Cheese Pinwheels are a total game-changer in our house. My kids never want vegetables (ok, who are we kidding – NO kid does), but these? They gobble them up without a single complaint!

Here's what makes them amazing:
✨ Only 4 ingredients – puff pastry, cream cheese, broccoli, and shredded cheese
✨ Ready in 30 minutes from start to finish
✨ Perfect for snacks, lunch boxes, or appetizers
✨ Can make them meal-sized or appetizer-sized

The flaky puff pastry + creamy cheese + tender broccoli combo is chef's kiss. One follower said these were gone in SECONDS at their party and everyone wanted the recipe!

Pro tip: Add some shredded chicken to make these a complete meal!

Want the full recipe with all my tips for perfect pinwheels? Comment "PINWHEELS" below and I'll send it straight to your DMs!

#kidfriendlyrecipes #healthysnacks #puffpastry #pinwheels #hiddenveggie
Pull-apart perfection in every bite! This Apple Pull-apart perfection in every bite! 

This Apple Cinnamon Monkey Bread is the ultimate fall treat – fluffy balls of sweet dough stuffed with warm cinnamon apples, rolled in cinnamon sugar, and baked with a sticky brown sugar glaze. It's basically like a giant apple fritter you can pull apart with your hands!

Apple picking season is actually at its peak RIGHT NOW (did you think it was October too?!) so this is the perfect recipe to make with all those fresh apples 🍏

Here's what you need to know:
✨ Easier than you think – yeast dough isn't scary!
✨ 40 little dough balls = maximum pull-apart fun
✨ Each bite has warm cinnamon apples inside
✨ That brown sugar goo? Chef's kiss

Pro tip: Use a nonstick Bundt pan and grease it REALLY well. Trust me on this one.

Perfect for weekend brunch, holiday mornings, or honestly any time you want to impress your people. One follower said her 5-year-old declared this is what they're giving Santa – so you KNOW it's good!

Want the full recipe with all my tips and tricks? Comment "APPLES" below and I'll send it straight to your DMs! 

#monkeybread #applecinnamon #fallbaking #applerecipes #brunchideas
The FLUFFIEST sweet yeast rolls you'll ever make! The FLUFFIEST sweet yeast rolls you'll ever make!

These beauties are perfectly soft, subtly sweet, and paired with the most incredible whipped pumpkin butter (butter + pumpkin + cinnamon + honey = heaven!).

My husband said these are the best rolls he's ever had, and trust me—he doesn't give compliments lightly 😄

Here's why you need to make these:
✨ Easier than you think (no fancy skills needed!)
✨ Perfectly fluffy and chewy texture
✨ That whipped pumpkin butter is ADDICTIVE
✨ Make ahead and freeze for up to 2 months

Whether it's Thanksgiving, Christmas, or just a cozy family dinner, these rolls will steal the show. The secret? Scalded milk for maximum fluffiness and making sure they're touching in the pan before baking.

Want the full recipe with step-by-step instructions? Comment "ROLLS" below and I'll send it straight to your DMs! 💌
#homemadebread #yeastrolls #thanksgivingrecipes #holidaybaking #pumpkinrecipes

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