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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Cuban Pulled Pork Sliders

Cuban Pulled Pork Sliders

appetizer· pork entrees· sandwiches & wraps· Tailgating Recipes
January 31, 2022

Cuban Pulled Pork Sliders – Traditional ingredients of a Cuban sandwich are placed between dinner rolls to make perfectly-sized sliders….
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Football Cheeseball

Football Cheeseball

appetizer· dips· Tailgating Recipes
January 24, 2022

Football Cheeseball – A zesty mix of cream cheese, ranch seasoning, and diced veggies are shaped into a football and…
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Healthy Greek Nachos

Healthy Greek Nachos

appetizer· Summertime Favorites· Tailgating Recipes
January 20, 2022

Healthy Greek Nachos – English cucumbers are sliced and topped with a mixture of tomatoes, Kalamata olives, feta, and Greek…
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Cheddar Sesame Crackers

Cheddar Sesame Crackers

appetizer· Easter· snacks· Tailgating Recipes
January 10, 2022

Cheddar Sesame Crackers – Crispy, buttery crackers loaded with cheddar cheese and topped with sesame seeds I used to think…
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Pepperoni Totchos

Pepperoni Totchos

appetizer· snacks· Tailgating Recipes
September 9, 2021

Pepperoni Totchos – Tater tots are tossed in an herb butter, covered with mozzarella cheese and mini pepperoni and served…
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Sloppy Joes

Sloppy Joes

beef entrees· sandwiches & wraps· Tailgating Recipes
September 3, 2021

Sloppy Joes – Ground beef is slathered in a mixture of onions, green pepper, ketchup, and mustard and served on…
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Healthy Onion Dip

Healthy Onion Dip

appetizer· snacks· Summertime Favorites· Tailgating Recipes
May 14, 2021

Healthy Onion Dip – A dip made from roasted onions, garlic, lemon juice and Greek yogurt will be your favorite…
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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 Turkey Noodle Soup

Turkey Noodle Soup

pumpkin challah bread sliced with a knife

Pumpkin Challah Bread

caramel macchiato cupcakes some drizzled with caramel sauce, shot from the front

Caramel Macchiato Cupcakes

close up of sliced loaf of chocolate cinnamon babka with the center exposed to see the beautiful swirl of chocolate

Chocolate Cinnamon Babka

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

Potato Dinner Rolls

Roasted Brussel Sprouts in a baking dish with melted butter and a spoon in it, shot from a side angle

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Honey Mustard Vinaigrette

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

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holiday favorite

zoomed in shot of a plate of sliced classic tiramisu with a glass dish of tiramisu in the background, shot from the front

Classic Tiramisu

close up of a phyllo triangle sitting on a platter drizzled with honey and chopped walnuts

Goat Cheese & Honey Phyllo Triangles

styled shot of Traditional English Trifle

Traditional English Trifle

casserole dish of Cheesy Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

Cheesy Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

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

Stone Fruit Tart

 

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/
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/

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