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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

front shot of pumpkin loaf cut into slices

My Favorite Pumpkin Loaf

apple cinnamon charlotte sitting on a plate with cinnamon sabayon sliced in half to reveal the apples in the center

Apple Cinnamon Charlotte

overhead shot of quinoa harvest salad on a plate

Quinoa Harvest Salad

close up of apple pie slide doughnut sitting on a tray with other doughnuts

Apple Pie Slider Doughnuts

picture of apple pecan farro salad served on a white plate

Apple Pecan Farro Salad

autumn kale salad in a blue salad bowl

Autumn Kale Salad

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

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holiday favorite

two stemmed glasses of Cranberry Orange Aperol Spritz with orange slices and rosemary sprigs with cramberries rosemary and half an orange on the table underneath, shot from the front

Cranberry Orange Aperol Spritz

overhead shot of pistachio creme brulee with a few bites take out and sugar cracked

Pistachio Crème Brulee

a hand holding up a maple molasses cookie to show all the detailed cracks in the top of the cookie

Maple Molasses Cookies

front shot of sweet potato cornbread in a cast iron skillet

Sweet Potato Cornbread

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

Cherry Bourbon Spritz

 

These aren't your average buttermilk pancakes! Mad These aren't your average buttermilk pancakes! Made with ground pistachios, honey, and a hint of almond extract, these fluffy pancakes are rich, nutty, and absolutely DELICIOUS. 

What makes these pancakes SPECIAL:
✨ Ground pistachios for nutty flavor (no crunch!)
✨ Honey instead of sugar (pairs perfectly with pistachios)
✨ Almond extract brings out the pistachio flavor
✨ Super fluffy texture (the secret: let the batter rest!)
✨ Unique & impressive breakfast

The ground pistachios give these pancakes an incredible flavor and that gorgeous green tint without adding any crunch to your pancakes. The almond extract enhances the pistachio flavor and creates this rich, nutty taste that's SO good! And using honey instead of regular sugar? Game changer!

Top with butter, maple syrup, and extra crushed pistachios for the ultimate presentation!

Pro tips for FLUFFY pancakes:
🔸 Let the batter rest 15-30 minutes (don't skip this!)
🔸 Only add batter to a HOT pan
🔸 Look for bubbles on top before flipping
🔸 Use buttermilk for that classic fluffy texture

Trust me, once you try these pistachio pancakes, you'll want to make them every weekend! The flavor is incredible and they look so impressive stacked up on a plate.

Want the full recipe? Comment PANCAKES below and I'll send it straight to your DMs! 

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This Sweet Potato Gratin is about to steal the sho This Sweet Potato Gratin is about to steal the show at your holiday table! 

Thinly sliced sweet potatoes baked in a maple-spiced cream sauce and topped with Parmesan cheese. It's the perfect balance of sweet and savory, and honestly? It's EASIER than making mashed potatoes!

Why you'll LOVE this recipe:
✨ Sweet & savory flavor combo (maple + Parmesan!)
✨ Impressive presentation but simple to make
✨ Easier AND faster than mashed potatoes
✨ Creamy inside, crispy golden top
✨ Perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any holiday feast

Here's what makes this gratin special: the sweet potatoes are cooked in a cream sauce with maple sugar (or maple syrup), cinnamon, and nutmeg, then topped with grated Parmesan before baking. 

The result is a gorgeous layered side dish that's creamy, rich, and absolutely delicious! The texture is what sets this apart from traditional sweet potato casserole - those thinly sliced layers give you the perfect bite every time. And that crispy, golden Parmesan top? Chef's kiss 

Pro tips:
🔸 Use a mandolin slicer for perfectly even slices (be careful!)
🔸 Use GRATED Parmesan, not shredded (it melts better!)
🔸 Let it cool 15-20 minutes before serving for best texture
🔸 Can swap maple sugar for maple syrup

This is going straight on my Thanksgiving menu, and I think you should add it to yours too! It's fancy enough to impress but easy enough to not stress about. Win-win! 

Want the full recipe? https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/sweet-potato-gratin/
I combined two breakfast classics into one AMAZING I combined two breakfast classics into one AMAZING treat - fluffy homemade cinnamon rolls filled with sliced bananas, chopped walnuts, brown sugar, and cinnamon. 

These Banana Nut Cinnamon Rolls are the breakfast dream you never knew you needed!

Here's what makes them INCREDIBLE:
✨ Fluffy, gooey homemade cinnamon rolls
✨ Fresh banana slices + crunchy walnuts in every bite
✨ Cream cheese frosting with optional walnut topping
✨ Brown sugar cinnamon filling

The secret? I replaced the egg in the dough with mashed banana, which adds SO much flavor without affecting the texture. 

The rolls come out just as fluffy and soft as traditional cinnamon rolls, but with that amazing banana bread taste we all love!

Yes, homemade cinnamon rolls take time (about 3 hours total with rising), but they are SO WORTH IT. 

The keys to success:
🔸 Use fresh yeast (make sure it foams!)
🔸 Knead the dough for the full 5 minutes
🔸 Don't rush the proofing time - fluffy rolls need time to rise!

These are perfect for weekend brunch, special occasions, or any time you want to seriously impress! The combo of bananas, walnuts, and cinnamon is absolutely divine.

Pro tip: You can prep these the night before! Let them do the second rise in the fridge overnight, then bake fresh in the morning. Your house will smell AMAZING! 

Want the full recipe? https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/banana-nut-cinnamon-rolls/
This Pumpkin Crumb Cake is everything you love abo This Pumpkin Crumb Cake is everything you love about coffeehouse crumb cake, but with cozy pumpkin spice vibes! Dense, moist pumpkin cake topped with the most incredible crispy cinnamon sugar crumbs. It's the perfect fall treat!

What makes this crumb cake SO good:
✨ Whole can of pumpkin puree for maximum flavor
✨ Pumpkin pie spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves)
✨ Super moist, slightly dense texture (in the best way!)
✨ Crispy, buttery cinnamon crumb topping
✨ Perfect with your morning coffee or afternoon tea

This is one of my all-time favorite coffeehouse treats, and the pumpkin version is PERFECT for fall! The cake is incredibly moist thanks to the pumpkin puree, and those crispy crumbs on top add the most satisfying texture contrast. It's divine!

You can serve it warm or at room temperature, and it stays fresh for days (if it lasts that long!). 

Perfect for:
🍂 Fall breakfast or brunch
🎃 Thanksgiving dessert
☕ Weekend coffee date at home
🍁 Cozy autumn afternoons

Pro tip: Make the crumb topping first and chill it in the fridge while you make the batter. This helps the crumbs stay crispy during baking!

Want the full recipe? https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/pumpkin-crumb-cake/
All your favorite breakfast foods in ONE dish - ba All your favorite breakfast foods in ONE dish - bacon, sausage, eggs, cheese, and CRISPY tater tots on top! This Cheesy Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole is about to become your family's new favorite weekend breakfast.

Here's what makes it AMAZING:
✨ Feeds 8-10 people (perfect for gatherings!)
✨ Crispy golden tater tots on top (not mushy!)
✨ Packed with bacon AND sausage
✨ Sharp cheddar makes it extra cheesy
✨ Easy to customize with your favorites

The tater tots get perfectly crispy and golden on top while everything underneath becomes this incredible cheesy, savory heaven. My husband (who is OBSESSED with breakfast food) said this was one of the best breakfast dishes I've ever made. 

Pro tips:
🔸 Keep tots frozen until you add them to the casserole
🔸 Shred your own cheese for the best melt
🔸 Hot sausage adds flavor without being too spicy
🔸 Let it rest 10 minutes before serving

This is PERFECT for Christmas morning, Easter brunch, Mother's Day, or literally any weekend when you want to treat your family to something special! Plus, the leftovers reheat beautifully for easy breakfasts all week.

Want the full recipe? Comment CASSEROLE below and I'll send it to your DMs!

What do you usually make for family breakfasts? Let me know! 👇

#TaterTotCasserole #BreakfastCasserole #TaterTots #BreakfastRecipe #BrunchIdeas #EasyBreakfast #FamilyBreakfast #BreakfastForDinner #CasseroleRecipe #CheeseyCasserole #WeekendBrunch #BreakfastBake #ComfortFood #HolidayBrunch #BreakfastIdeas #EasyBrunch #BaconAndEggs #SausageCasserole #FamilyFavorite #BrunchRecipe #EasyRecipes #HomeCooking #YummyBreakfast

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