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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

My Favorite Grilled Chicken Sandwich

My Favorite Grilled Chicken Sandwich

chicken entrees· sandwiches & wraps· Tailgating Recipes
May 10, 2021

My favorite grilled chicken sandwich – I love this sandwich because of it’s simple ingredients, juicy texture, and yummy flavor…
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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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Firecracker Meatballs

Firecracker Meatballs

appetizer· Tailgating Recipes
April 8, 2021

Firecracker Meatballs – Mini pork meatballs with yummy Asian fusion flavors are coated in a spicy cream sauce and perfect…
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Mojo Pork Tenderloin

Mojo Pork Tenderloin

Easter· pork entrees· Summertime Favorites· Tailgating Recipes
August 31, 2020

Mojo Pork Tenderloin – Pork tenderloin is marinated in a classic Cuban citrus marinade and roasted to perfection. One good…
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Tomato Panzanella Salad

Tomato Panzanella Salad

appetizer· Easter· salad· snacks· Summertime Favorites· Tailgating Recipes
June 29, 2020

Tomato Panzanella Salad – Crispy bread is tossed with a homemade vinaigrette, tomatoes, red onion, basil, and cucumber to make…
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Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Skewers

Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Skewers

appetizer· chicken entrees· pork entrees· Summertime Favorites· Tailgating Recipes
June 25, 2020

Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Skewers – Skewers are loaded with BBQ chicken, pineapple chunks, ham, and red onion and grilled to…
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Fruit Salsa with Cinnamon Chips

Fruit Salsa with Cinnamon Chips

dips· Summertime Favorites· Tailgating Recipes
June 11, 2020

Fruit Salsa with Cinnamon Chips – Diced strawberry, kiwi, and mango are tossed with a honey & lemon dressing to…
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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

overhead shot of Parmesan & Thyme Potatoes Au Gratin in a baking dish

Parmesan & Thyme Potatoes Au Gratin

overhead shot of pumpkin churros on a plate of cinnamon sugar

Pumpkin Churros

stacked maple walnut cookies on a red orange napkin and one cookie with a bite removed

Maple Walnut Cookies

styled shot of Cranberry Apple Crumble

Cranberry Apple Crumble

close up pork chops on a plate with Dijon apple pan sauce on top and a rosemary garnish

Dijon Apple Pork Chops

two mugs of Cinnamon Maple Latte topped with whipped cream and sprinkled with pecans with dunkin donuts creamer and a stack of pumpkins on top of a cloth napkin, shot from a side angle

Cinnamon Maple Latte

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

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holiday favorite

slices of iced pumpkin scones drizzled with frosting on a wire rack on top of parchment paper, shot from overhead

Iced Pumpkin Scones

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

Pretzel Bread Pudding

cherry almond pastry cake with a wedge removed

Cherry Almond Pastry Cake

a slice of victoria sandwich cake with a bite remove and a few crumbs on the plate

Victoria Sandwich Cake

Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels on a plate with sprigs of herbs in between the pinwheels, shot from overhead

Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels

 

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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