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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Peach & Goat Cheese Crostini (+wine pairing)

Peach & Goat Cheese Crostini (+wine pairing)

appetizer· Holiday Favorites· Summertime Favorites· Valentine's Day
November 13, 2017

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. The following content…
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Cinnamon Chocolate Muffins

Cinnamon Chocolate Muffins

breakfast· Fall Flavors· Holiday Favorites· muffins· Valentine's Day
October 30, 2017

Cinnamon Chocolate Muffins – Chewy triple chocolate muffins are spiced with cinnamon and topped with cinnamon sugar for the perfect…
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Sea Salt Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookies

Sea Salt Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cookies· dessert· Valentine's Day
August 31, 2017

Sea Salt Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookies – Chewy chocolate chip cookies are given a gourmet makeover with the addition of…
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Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake Pops

Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake Pops

cake· Cookies· Valentine's Day
August 3, 2017

Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake Pop – The classic flavors of a chocolate chip cookies smashed into a mini cake pop. Made…
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The Ultimate Cookies & Cream Milkshake

The Ultimate Cookies & Cream Milkshake

dessert· drinks· ice cream· National Ice Cream Month· Summertime Favorites· Valentine's Day
July 27, 2017

The Ultimate Cookies & Cream Milkshake – Your classic cookies & cream milkshake is taken up a notch with the…
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Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches

Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches

Cookies· ice cream· National Ice Cream Month· Summertime Favorites· Valentine's Day
July 3, 2017

Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches – Your favorite ice cream is sandwiched with the chewiest chocolate chip cookies to…
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Chocolate-Covered Key Lime Pie

Chocolate-Covered Key Lime Pie

dessert· pie· Summertime Favorites· Valentine's Day
June 22, 2017

Chocolate-Covered Key Lime Pie – A rich and tangy slice of key lime pie dipped in creamy dark chocolate. It’s…
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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

slice of carrot snack cake on a pink plate

Carrot Snack Cake

angled view of cup of dirt pudding

Cup of Dirt Pudding

sweet potato biscuits on parchment paper with butter to the side and a cast iron pan of more biscuits in it, shot from a side angle

Sweet Potato Biscuits

vinaigrette dressing being poured over a plate of Orchard Harvest Salad (Panera Copycat) from a glass bottle with a half and whole pair and cherry preserves in the background, shot from a side angle

Orchard Harvest Salad (Panera Copycat)

a hand holding up a cinnamon bun soft pretzel

Cinnamon Bun Soft Pretzels

carrot raisin muffins stacked on top of each other and sitting on a purple plate

Carrot Raisin Muffins

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 min fruit tarts, shot from a side angle

Classic Fruit Tarts

Goat Cheese Phyllo Cigars

close up of banana fritter with a bite removed sitting on a plate with other banana fritters

Banana Fritters

zoomed in shot of portuguese egg tarts sitting on a plate

Portuguese Egg Tarts

a slice of chocolate pecan pie on a plate with another plate of pie in the background, shot from a side angle

Chocolate Pecan Pie

 

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/
For this Roasted Tomato Mac & Cheese, I've topped For this Roasted Tomato Mac & Cheese, I've topped it with roasted tomatoes to help balance out the richness of the cheese and pasta. Because the tomatoes are roasted, they have a similar flavor you would find in a tomato soup. And we all know how incredible cheese and tomato soup go together! 

The combination of creamy, rich mac and cheese with those slightly acidic, charred roasted tomatoes is PERFECTION. It's like eating grilled cheese with tomato soup, but elevated! The tomatoes cut through the richness in the best way possible.

Perfect for cozy nights, family dinners, or potlucks! 

Ready to make this? 💌 Comment "MAC" below and I'll send you the link!

#MacAndCheese #ComfortFood #PastaRecipes

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