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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Bacon Blue Cheese Chips

Bacon Blue Cheese Chips

appetizer· snacks· Tailgating Recipes
January 11, 2018

This post has been sponsored by Frito-Lay. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Bacon Blue Cheese Chips – LAY’S®…
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Pigs in a Blanket Wreath

Pigs in a Blanket Wreath

appetizer· Holiday Favorites· snacks· Tailgating Recipes
December 15, 2017

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #HomeGateChamp Pigs in…
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Salted Caramel Apple Pie Dip with Pie Crust Chips

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Dip with Pie Crust Chips

dessert· dips· Fall Flavors· Summertime Favorites· Tailgating Recipes
October 26, 2017

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Dip with Pie Crust Chips – Decadent homemade apple pie filling is combined with gooey salted…
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Verde Chicken Tostada Bites

Verde Chicken Tostada Bites

appetizer· snacks· Tailgating Recipes
October 11, 2017

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MakeGameTimeSaucy #CollectiveBias Verde…
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Chorizo & Queso Tostones

Chorizo & Queso Tostones

appetizer· snacks· Tailgating Recipes
September 29, 2017

This post has been sponsored by The Kroger Co. Family of Stores in celebration of #HispanicHeritageMonth. As always, all opinions are…
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Cowboy Queso

Cowboy Queso

appetizer· dips· snacks· Tailgating Recipes
September 11, 2017

This post has been sponsored by Dr Pepper® and Johnsonville®. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Cowboy Queso –…
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Mini Pesto Grilled Cheese

Mini Pesto Grilled Cheese

appetizer· sandwiches & wraps· snacks· Tailgating Recipes
August 28, 2017

Mini Pesto Grilled Cheese – Fresh basil pesto and sliced provolone cheese are sandwiched into a crusty baguette and grilled 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

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

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

Maple Walnut Cookies

picture of apple pecan farro salad served on a white plate

Apple Pecan Farro Salad

Apple Pie Cake

styled shot of Sweet Yeast Rolls on a plate with a bowl of Whipped Pumpkin Butter and a basket of rolls and a pumpkin in the background, shot from a side angle

Sweet Yeast Rolls with Whipped Pumpkin Butter

overhead shot of bright pumpkin fettuccine on a white plate with sundried tomatoes and wilted spinach throughout

Pumpkin Fettuccine with Sundried Tomatoes

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

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holiday favorite

Sweet Corn Risotto with Crispy Shrimp - Creamy, cheesy homemade risotto is taken up a notch with fresh sweet yellow corn and paired perfect with SeaPak Butterfly Shrimp and Clos du Bois Chardonnay.

Sweet Corn Risotto with Crispy Shrimp (+ wine pairing)

a slice of texas sheet cake sitting on a white plate

Texas Sheet Cake

close up of slices of cranberry orange loaf on a serving platter

Cranberry Orange Loaf

a short glass with a gold rim filled with cherry bourbon spritz and a garnish of rosemary twig

Cherry Bourbon Spritz

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

 

Creamy Skillet Corn Dip – fresh corn mixed with Creamy Skillet Corn Dip – fresh corn mixed with jalapeños, cream cheese, sour cream, and melty Monterrey Jack cheese! 🌽🧀

This is THE ultimate party dip, you guys! Sweet fresh corn + hint of spice + THREE creamy cheeses = pure heaven! Plus you cook AND serve it in the same skillet. Talk about a dream come true! 

The secret? FRESH corn kernels! They have a bite and sweetness you just don't get from canned or frozen. Trust me on this one!

Pro tip: Mix everything in a separate bowl first – way easier than trying to stir in the hot skillet!

Perfect for game day, summer BBQs, taco night, or honestly anytime you need a crowd-pleasing dip! 

💬 Comment "CORNDIP" for the recipe
💾 SAVE this for your next gathering
📤 SHARE with someone who loves dip!

#CreamySkilletCornDip #CornDip #PartyDip #GameDayFood #SummerAppetizers #FreshCorn #MonterreyJack #JalapenoDip #SkilletRecipes #CreamCheeseDip #TailgatingFood #BBQAppetizers #CrowdPleasers #DipRecipes #EasyAppetizers
Authentic Spanish Ham & Cheese Croquettes (Croquet Authentic Spanish Ham & Cheese Croquettes (Croquetas) – crispy fried dumplings with prosciutto, Manchego cheese, and a creamy bechamel base!

These are the ultimate party appetizer and taste exactly like what you'd get at a tapas bar in Madrid! Crispy golden exterior meets gooey, cheesy center. That cheese pull is UNREAL!

Perfect for tapas night, game day, or any party. Frying tips included so don't be scared – just heat your oil for 10+ minutes and don't overcrowd the pan!

Pro tip: Chill the dough for 2+ hours before frying or it'll fall apart!

💬 Comment "CROQUETA" for the full recipe
💾 SAVE this for your next party
📤 SHARE with someone who loves Spanish food!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/ham-cheese-croquettes-croquetas/

#HamCheeseCroquettes #Croquetas #SpanishFood
3-Ingredient Oreo Truffles 😍 One of my favorit 3-Ingredient Oreo Truffles 😍

One of my favorite go-to recipes! I inherited this from my old roommate back in college. She made them for me once and they suddenly took over my life, you guys! I seriously ate like 10 in one sitting. It was that day that I discovered what heartburn was! 

THE RECIPE (makes 48 truffles):

Ingredients:
-1 package Oreos (36 cookies)
-1 package (12 oz) chocolate chips
-1 package (8 oz) cream cheese

Instructions:
1️⃣ Take cream cheese out of fridge to warm slightly (NOT room temp!)
2️⃣ Crush Oreos into crumbs in food processor. Save 1/4 cup for topping
3️⃣ Mix Oreo crumbs + cream cheese with your HANDS until it forms a dough
4️⃣ Roll into balls using teaspoon or melon baller
5️⃣ Chill 10 minutes
6️⃣ Melt chocolate chips in microwave (30-sec increments)
7️⃣ Dip balls in chocolate, let excess drip off
8️⃣ Sprinkle with reserved Oreo crumbs
9️⃣ Chill 1 hour before serving
🔟 Store in fridge!

Save & Share!

#oreotruffles #easydesserts #oreorecipes #nobakedesserts 

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/3-ingredient-oreo-truffles
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/

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