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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Brooklyn Blackout Cupcakes

Brooklyn Blackout Cupcakes

cake· dessert· Holiday Favorites· Uncategorized· Valentine's Day
March 5, 2024

Brooklyn Blackout Cupcakes – Rich chocolate cupcakes are filled with homemade chocolate pudding and topped with fudge icing and cake…
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Funfetti Sugar Cookies

Funfetti Sugar Cookies

Uncategorized
September 17, 2020

Funfetti Sugar Cookies – Sugar cookies with a hint of almond extract are rolled in sprinkles and baked to perfection….
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Coconut Banana Pudding

Coconut Banana Pudding

Uncategorized
March 23, 2020

Coconut Banana Pudding – Classic banana pudding is taken up a notch by using coconut milk and coconut cream in…
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Bonus Post! Sunshine Blogger Award Nomination

Bonus Post! Sunshine Blogger Award Nomination

Uncategorized
June 24, 2017

As you know, I typically post things for you guys Mondays and Thursdays. But this week, you get a bonus…
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Story behind the blog

Uncategorized
November 6, 2011

At work, we get these AMAZING doughnuts from Sublime Doughnuts every Friday. And when I say amazing, I mean ah-may-zing….
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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

chicken and biscuits in a dutch oven overhead shot

Chicken and Dumplings

a glass dish with pumpkin cinnamon rolls in it with some missing from the center and a spatula with a pumpkin the background, shot from a side angle

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

styled shot of pumpkin snickerdoodles

Pumpkin Snickerdoodles

Pumpkin Tres Leches

front shot of sweet potato cornbread in a cast iron skillet

Sweet Potato Cornbread

zoomed in shot of a plate of stacked chocolate gingerbread truffles with one with a bite out of it, shot from a side angle

Chocolate Gingerbread Truffles

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

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holiday favorite

Candied Pecans

raspberry lime macaron sandwich on a white plate with lime zest garnish

Raspberry Lime Macaron Sandwich

styled shot of Chocolate Espresso Snowcaps

Chocolate Espresso Snowcaps

two bowls of goat cheese sweet corn grits with a spoon in it on a cotton napkin with corn cobs next to it, shot from overhead

Goat Cheese & Sweet Corn Grits

close up of raspberries & cream profiterole sitting on a white plate

Raspberries & Cream Profiteroles

 

Easy Ravioli Lasagna – meat sauce, cheese raviol Easy Ravioli Lasagna – meat sauce, cheese ravioli, and mozzarella layered to make the easiest baked pasta dish! 

You guys have LOVED my easy dinner recipes lately, so here's another one! This lasagna cuts prep time in half while keeping all the same flavors and textures you love! 

The genius shortcut? Frozen cheese ravioli = no boiling pasta + no mixing ricotta! The ravioli cooks in the oven and the cheese filling acts as the ricotta layer!

Pro tip: Drain the beef well after cooking before adding sauce – otherwise it'll be too greasy!

Perfect for weeknight dinners, family meals, potlucks, or anytime you want lasagna without the fuss! 

💬 Comment "RAVIOLI" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for easy dinners
📤 SHARE with someone who needs this!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/easy-ravioli-lasagna/

#Lasagna #RavioliLasagna #EasyDinner #BakedPasta #PastaRecipe #FamilyDinner #ComfortFood #ItalianFood
Easy Homemade Refrigerator Pickles – classic dil Easy Homemade Refrigerator Pickles – classic dill pickles made with garlic and dill that cure right in your fridge! No canning required!

I never thought I'd want to make my own pickles, you guys, but then I tried homemade pickles at a restaurant and was BLOWN AWAY! They were super salty but not as vinegary as store-bought, still super green, and SO crunchy!

The best part? No intimidating canning process! These refrigerator pickles cure in your fridge and are ready in just 2 days!

Pro tip: Cut the ends off your cucumbers first – the ends have enzymes that make them soft during pickling!

Perfect for Memorial Day, summer BBQs, picnics, or anytime you want restaurant-quality pickles at home! 

💬 Comment "PICKLES" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for summer entertaining
📤 SHARE with someone who loves pickles!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/easy-homemade-refrigerator-pickles/
#Pickles #HomemadePickles #RefrigeratorPickles #DillPickles #PickleRecipe
Jelly Roll French Toast – white bread rolled wit Jelly Roll French Toast – white bread rolled with raspberry jam, dipped in egg custard, griddled, and rolled in sugar!

One of the best parts of cooking for kids is making food in fun shapes, you guys! These jelly roll french toast sticks do just that! But don't think they're only for kids – the flavor and texture is SO yummy that adults love them too!

The secret? White bread is the softest, making it easiest to flatten and roll up!
Pro tip: Don't overfill with jam or the rolls could unravel while cooking! And roll them in sugar while they're still hot so it sticks better!

Perfect for weekend breakfast, brunch, Easter morning, or anytime you want a fun twist on French toast! 

💬 Comment "JELLYROLL" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for weekend mornings
📤 SHARE with someone who has kids!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/jelly-roll-french-toast
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

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