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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Contact Me

If you have any questions about the blog or a specific request for a recipe or anything at all, just shoot me a message using the form below. I will respond within 24 hours. Or you can send me a direct message using the email address in my About Me page. Thanks for stopping by!

 





    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

    styled shot of pumpkin snickerdoodles

    Pumpkin Snickerdoodles

    a slice of peach upside down cake on a white plate with the rest of the cake in the background

    Peach Upside-down Cake

    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

    front shot of sweet potato cornbread in a cast iron skillet

    Sweet Potato Cornbread

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

    Apple Cinnamon Charlotte

    picture of apple pecan farro salad served on a white plate

    Apple Pecan Farro Salad

    ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

    photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

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    holiday favorite

    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

    overhead shot of finish amaretto baba cake before slicing

    Amaretto Baba Cake

    close up of a split bun with cream & jam

    Split Buns with Cream and Jam

    Gingerbread Biscotti on parchment paper

    Gingerbread Biscotti

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

    Iced Pumpkin Scones

     

    The FLUFFIEST sweet yeast rolls you'll ever make! The FLUFFIEST sweet yeast rolls you'll ever make!

These beauties are perfectly soft, subtly sweet, and paired with the most incredible whipped pumpkin butter (butter + pumpkin + cinnamon + honey = heaven!).

My husband said these are the best rolls he's ever had, and trust me—he doesn't give compliments lightly 😄

Here's why you need to make these:
✨ Easier than you think (no fancy skills needed!)
✨ Perfectly fluffy and chewy texture
✨ That whipped pumpkin butter is ADDICTIVE
✨ Make ahead and freeze for up to 2 months

Whether it's Thanksgiving, Christmas, or just a cozy family dinner, these rolls will steal the show. The secret? Scalded milk for maximum fluffiness and making sure they're touching in the pan before baking.

Want the full recipe with step-by-step instructions? Comment "ROLLS" below and I'll send it straight to your DMs! 💌
#homemadebread #yeastrolls #thanksgivingrecipes #holidaybaking #pumpkinrecipes
    Restaurant-Quality Sirloin at Home! This sirloin Restaurant-Quality Sirloin at Home! 

This sirloin with creamy onion blue cheese sauce is EVERYTHING! Tender grilled steak topped with a rich, savory sauce made from caramelized onions, heavy cream, Worcestershire, and blue cheese crumbles. It tastes like a fancy steakhouse dinner but you can make it at home!

Why you'll LOVE this recipe:
✨ Restaurant-quality results
✨ Only 6 simple ingredients
✨ That sauce is INCREDIBLE
✨ Perfect for grilling season
✨ Date night or special occasions
✨ Can grill OR cook indoors

Here's what makes this special: the sauce! 

It's made with just 4 ingredients - butter, onions, cream, Worcestershire, and blue cheese. The onions get caramelized until they're sweet and slightly charred, then you add cream and let it thicken, finish with blue cheese crumbles that melt into the most incredible creamy, savory sauce! 

I love ordering steak at fancy steakhouses, but with this recipe, I can recreate that experience at home! Sirloin is more affordable than filet but still tender and delicious. And that sauce? It takes it to the NEXT level! 

Pro tips:
🔸 Use a meat thermometer (no guessing!)
🔸 Bring steak to room temp before cooking
🔸 Let steak rest 5-10 min before slicing
🔸 Lower heat before adding cream
🔸 Not a blue cheese fan? Use half the amount!

This is perfect for Father's Day, date night at home, or any time you want to treat yourself to something special! Serve it sliced on a platter for elegant presentation or as individual steaks. Either way, that sauce is EVERYTHING! 

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

#SirloinSteak #BlueCheeseSauce #SteakDinner #GrillingRecipes #SteakRecipes #FancyDinner
    Gingerbread Soufflé = Holiday Magic! These indi Gingerbread Soufflé = Holiday Magic! 

These individual gingerbread soufflés are the PERFECT special holiday dessert! They're fancy enough for dinner parties but my 4-year-old loved them too!

Light, airy, and full of warm gingerbread spices - molasses, ginger, and pumpkin pie spice. The dramatic rise makes them so impressive!

Why you'll LOVE these soufflés:
✨ Impressive presentation (looks SO fancy!)
✨ Warm gingerbread flavor
✨ Light and airy texture
✨ Individual servings (elegant!)
✨ Kid and adult approved
✨ Perfect for holiday entertaining

Here's the magic: beaten egg whites folded gently into a spiced molasses base create that signature airy texture and dramatic rise! The key is greasing AND sugaring your ramekins - the sugar helps the soufflé "climb" up the sides. And whatever you do, DON'T open the oven door early or they'll collapse!

These are SO much easier than you think! Yes, soufflés have a reputation for being tricky, but if you follow a few key rules, you'll nail them.

Pro tips:
🔸 Fold egg whites GENTLY (don't deflate them!)
🔸 Grease AND sugar ramekins well
🔸 Use ramekins with straight sides
🔸 Keep oven door CLOSED while baking
🔸 Serve immediately (they fall as they cool)

The gingerbread flavor is perfect for the holidays - warm spices with molasses create that classic gingerbread taste we all love. They're light enough to serve after a big holiday meal but special enough to wow your guests! 

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

#GingerbreadSouffle #Souffle #HolidayDesserts #ChristmasDesserts #HolidayBaking #ChristmasBaking
    My Favorite Meatloaf Recipe! This is THE meatloa My Favorite Meatloaf Recipe! 

This is THE meatloaf that converted my family! It's lean yet incredibly flavorful, uses ingredients you already have, and is ready in under an hour. Perfect weeknight dinner that everyone loves - even the picky eaters!

Why this is my FAVORITE meatloaf:
✨ Simple ingredients (probably in your pantry!)
✨ Lean ground beef (healthier!)
✨ That sweet & tangy sauce on top
✨ Ready in under an hour
✨ Crispy edges (we bake on a sheet!)
✨ Juicy, never dry

Here's what makes this special: I mince the onions SUPER fine (use a food processor!) so they mix throughout without big chunks, and we bake it on a baking sheet instead of a loaf pan. This gives you those crispy edges everyone fights over! Plus, the sauce on top is sweet, tangy, and absolutely addictive. I always grab the end pieces for extra sauce!

My husband's favorite part? The minced onions that add incredible flavor without feeling like "filler." My favorite part? That sauce! It's made with ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, and spices - so good!

Pro tips:
🔸 Mince onions REALLY fine (food processor works!)
🔸 Don't overmix the meat (makes it tough)
🔸 Use meat thermometer (160°F = perfect!)
🔸 Let it rest 10 minutes before slicing
🔸 Serve with mashed potatoes!

This meatloaf has become our weekly dinner rotation staple. It's comfort food that doesn't take all day and uses lean meat so you don't feel guilty about eating it! The leftovers make amazing sandwiches too. 

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

#Meatloaf #MeatloafRecipe #ComfortFood #FamilyDinner #EasyDinner #ClassicComfortFood #HomeCooking #DinnerRecipe #EasyRecipes #ComfortFoodRecipes #GroundBeef #HealthyComfortFood #DinnerIdeas
    Peach & Goat Cheese Crostini = The ULTIMATE Appeti Peach & Goat Cheese Crostini = The ULTIMATE Appetizer! 

These elegant little bites are SO easy to make but look incredibly fancy! Toasted baguette slices rubbed with garlic, topped with whipped goat cheese, fresh peach slices, basil, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. 

Why you'll LOVE these crostini:
✨ Easy but impressive (looks fancy!)
✨ Sweet + savory perfection
✨ Ready in under 25 minutes
✨ Perfect for entertaining
✨ Can prep components ahead
✨ Good luck eating just one!

Here's the magic: we rub warm toasted bread with a garlic clove instead of adding chopped garlic. The heat absorbs the garlic oils and adds the most subtle, perfect garlic flavor without being overpowering. Don't skip this step - it makes ALL the difference! 

The combination of creamy whipped goat cheese, sweet juicy peaches, fresh basil, and tangy balsamic glaze is absolutely PERFECT. These disappeared so fast at my last party - everyone kept coming back for more!

Pro tips:
🔸 Whip goat cheese with cream cheese for smooth texture
🔸 Rub garlic on WARM toast (key to flavor!)
🔸 Use store-bought balsamic glaze to save time
🔸 Don't assemble until ready to serve (bread gets soggy!)
🔸 Can use frozen peaches when fresh aren't available

These are perfect for holiday parties, summer gatherings, wine nights, or any time you want an elegant appetizer that doesn't require tons of work. Pair with a crisp white wine and you're set for an amazing evening! 

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

#PeachGoatCheeseCrostini #Crostini #Appetizers #PartyFood #GoatCheeseRecipes #PeachRecipes #EasyAppetizers #EntertainerRecipes #SummerAppetizers #HolidayAppetizers #WineNight #ElegantAppetizers #FingersFood #PartyAppetizers #EasyEntertaining #BruschettaRecipe #SummerRecipes #GoatCheese #Peaches #BrunchIdeas #CocktailParty #Entertaining #FoodBlogger #AppetizerIdeas #FancyFood #EasyRecipes #SummerEntertaining #Foodie #PartyIdeas #deliciousfood

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