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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

    front shot of pumpkin loaf cut into slices

    My Favorite Pumpkin Loaf

    slices of Pumpkin Banana Bread on a cotton napkin with walnuts sprinkled around and bananas in the background, shot from a side angle

    Pumpkin Banana Bread

    photo of cinnamon apple kolaches with granny smith apples in the background

    Cinnamon Apple Kolaches

    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 quinoa harvest salad on a plate

    Quinoa Harvest Salad

    a plate with a slice of stone fruit tart and slices of fruit in the background, shot from the front

    Stone Fruit Tart

    ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

    photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

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    holiday favorite

    Maple Pecan Scones

    Goat Cheese Phyllo Cigars

    a whisking bowl with Garlic & Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes with a wooden spoon in it, shot from overhead

    Garlic & Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes

    photo of cinnamon apple kolaches with granny smith apples in the background

    Cinnamon Apple Kolaches

    Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels on a plate with sprigs of herbs in between the pinwheels, shot from overhead

    Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels

     

    Cannoli Cones – An easy way to make a homemade can Cannoli Cones – An easy way to make a homemade cannoli without the hassle of frying cannoli shells. Made with sugar ice cream cones which are stuffed with homemade cannoli cream and dipped in your favorite cannoli toppings. 

Recipe: http://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/cannoli-cones/
    Fried Onion Petals – Sweet onion is sliced into pe Fried Onion Petals – Sweet onion is sliced into petals, seasoned, and fried until perfectly crispy. Served with homemade horseradish sauce.

The inspiration for this snack comes from the Bloomin’ Onion at Outback Steakhouse. Making a whole onion seems so intimidating so I never thought to make it at home. But then the thought came to me – why not fried them in little petals instead? They’re also easier to dip than onion rings.

Without further ado, here are the Fried Onion Petals: https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/fried-onion-petals/
    Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken – Chicken breasts are Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken – Chicken breasts are stuffed with a garlic herb goat cheese and pan fried until they are cooked through. These are perfect for fun, yet easy weeknight dinner.

Recipe: https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/goat-cheese-stuffed-chicken/
    Double Chocolate Biscotti – Chocolate cookies are Double Chocolate Biscotti – Chocolate cookies are loaded with chocolate chips and baked twice to make them extra crispy and perfect for dunking into your favorite hot beverage.

Biscotti is the dessert I never knew I needed. I discovered them in college when I craved a snack while studying for finals. I bought a biscotti at the library coffee shop and dunked it in my coffee. The cookie that I thought was too crunchy suddenly turn soft and chewy. Yum!

Those memories inspired me to make my own biscotti. First, I made these gingerbread biscotti. And then I made this pistachio version. Now, I’m recreating the biscotti I first had many years ago – Double Chocolate Biscotti.

RECIPE: https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/double-chocolate-biscotti/
    Classic Fruit Tarts – Rich vanilla pastry cream is Classic Fruit Tarts – Rich vanilla pastry cream is filled into a buttery mini tart shell and covered with fresh fruit.

I decided to share a recipe that is (1) perfect to serve during the holidays and (2) absolutely gorgeous to look at. And with that, I present to you my Classic Fruit Tarts!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/classic-fruit-tarts/

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