holiday favorite

Peppermint Shortbread Bites

zoomed in shot of orange-scented madelines on a white plate

Orange-Scented Madeleines

zoomed in shot of a Rum Cake surrounded with raspberries on top of a cloth napkin, shot from the front

Rum Cake

styled shot of Chocolate Espresso Snowcaps

Chocolate Espresso Snowcaps

angled shot of french almond cakes sitting on a white plate

French Almond Cakes (Financiers)

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Recipes
  • Cookbooks
  • Work With Me
  • Contact

CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

grilled egg and cheese sandwich sliced in half to reveal the center

Grilled Egg & Cheese Sandwich

breakfast· sandwiches & wraps
January 11, 2023

Grilled Egg & Cheese Sandwich– Creamy scrambled eggs are topped with colby jack cheese and chives and then sandwiched in between two slices of buttery toasted brioche. I just love a good breakfast sandwich. It’s hearty and comforting and loaded with a bunch of textures. But my newest obsession is an egg and cheese breakfast sandwich. I love egg and…
Read More

overhead shot of quinoa harvest salad on a plate

Quinoa Harvest Salad

Fall Flavors· salad· Summertime Favorites
January 8, 2023

Quinoa Harvest Salad – Spring mix is tossed with roasted sweet potatoes, goat cheese, roasted pepitas, dried cranberries, and quinoa to make this hearty salad. Served with a homemade creamy Dijon vinaigrette. January is the time I tend to try out new salads. After all the indulgences we had over the holidays, I actually crave something light and healthy this…
Read More

overhead shot of Greek pasta salad on two plates and in a serving bowl

Greek Pasta Salad

appetizer· Easter· pizza & pasta· salad· sides
January 1, 2023

Greek Pasta Salad – Orzo pasta is tossed with Greek dressing, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, garbanzo beans, cucumbers and feta cheese, to make a yummy side dish for any occasion. Welp, January is here. Let the healthy eating begin! I think most of us are sick of sweets and rich foods from the holidays so we’re actually looking forward to putting…
Read More

salted caramel banana cream puffs on a round serving plate with bananas in the background

Salted Caramel Banana Cream Puffs

dessert· Easter· Holiday Favorites· pastries
December 29, 2022

Salted Caramel Banana Cream Puffs – Homemade choux puffs are filled with fresh whipped cream, a slice of banana and covered in homemade salted caramel sauce. We’re a couple days away from New Year’s Eve and it’s time to plan some fancy treats for your celebration menus. I love bite-sized treats for these events because they don’t require utensils and…
Read More

two copper mugs filled with holiday mule drinks and a pitcher in the background

Holiday Mule

drinks· Fall Flavors· Holiday Favorites
December 26, 2022

Holiday Mule – Ginger beer, cranberry juice, vodka, apple cider, and Prosecco are combined to make this perfect drink for the Holiday season. The holidays ain’t over yet! We have New Year’s Eve coming in a few days so we need a great cocktail to ring in 2023. This Holiday Mule is just the drink you need. This recipe makes…
Read More

further away look at a mochia trifle with serving bowls on the side

Mocha Trifle

dessert
December 15, 2022

Mocha Trifle– A layered trifle with coffee vanilla pudding, dark chocolate cake, and whipped cream and topped with crushed almond biscotti. Today’s treat is my newest creation. It combines two of my favorite flavors – coffee and chocolate. These two flavors compliment each other soooo well. The coffee and chocolate leave a smooth, balanced flavor in your mouth and both…
Read More

german sweet dumpling in a pool of creme anglaise and a dollop of blackberry preserves on top

German Sweet Dumplings

bread· dessert· doughnuts and sweet rolls· Easter
December 11, 2022

German Sweet Dumplings – Sweet, enriched dough is rolled into balls and steamed in a milk bath until fluffy and chewy. Served with a vanilla crème anglaise. Today’s recipe is a recreation of a dessert I had the first day of our trip to Munich. It was about 6 years ago and my first time in Germany. I was so…
Read More

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
  • 13
  • 14
  • …
  • 92
  • Next Page »

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

overhead shot of cheddar crusted apple pie with lattice crust

Cheddar Crusted Apple Pie

styled shot of Salted Caramel Apple Pie Parfaits with a pan of pie and a can of whipped cream behind it

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Parfaits

apple pie egg roll dipping in caramel sauce

Apple Pie Egg Rolls

overhead shot of quinoa harvest salad on a plate

Quinoa Harvest Salad

a stack of three Apple Cider Crumb Doughnuts on a cloth napkin with more doughnuts around them, shot from the front

Apple Cider Crumb Doughnuts

front shot of pumpkin loaf cut into slices

My Favorite Pumpkin Loaf

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

Breakfast
Appetizers
Entrees
Salads
Sides
Drinks
Desserts
Roundups
Holidays

Browse by Date

  • Home
  • About Me
  • Contact Me
  • Privacy Policy

 

This Cacio e Pepe Pasta Risotto changed my pasta g This Cacio e Pepe Pasta Risotto changed my pasta game forever!

After having mind-blowing cacio e pepe at Eataly in Boston, I became obsessed with recreating it at home. But here's the problem: the traditional recipe only makes small portions. So I had a lightbulb moment – what if I cooked it risotto-style to feed a crowd?!

The result? Pure magic. By cooking short pasta (I use ditalini!) slowly in chicken broth, you get an ultra-creamy, luscious texture without any cream. Just simple Italian ingredients: Pecorino Romano cheese, fresh black pepper, butter, and good olive oil.

Here's what makes this amazing:
✨ Feeds a crowd (perfect for dinner parties!)
✨ Only 7 ingredients, but packed with flavor
✨ Takes 30 minutes but worth every second
✨ Creamy without any cream

The key? Using the BEST ingredients – fresh ground black pepper and quality extra virgin olive oil make all the difference. And cooking that pepper in the oil at the beginning? That's what gives it that signature cacio e pepe punch!

Pro tip: Dice those onions super small so they don't overpower each bite. Trust me on this one

Ready to make restaurant-quality Italian pasta at home? Comment "PASTA" below and I'll send the full recipe to your DMs! 

#cacioepepe #pastarisotto #italianfood #pastarecipes #dinnerparty
Black Forest Cupcakes are the ultimate delight! R Black Forest Cupcakes are the ultimate delight!

Rich chocolate cupcakes stuffed with amaretto-roasted cherry compote, topped with fresh whipped cream and a chocolate-dipped cherry. They're basically the fancy cupcake version of the classic German cake, and they're absolutely stunning!

Here's what you need to know:
✨ Made with FRESH cherries (it's their peak season!)
✨ Amaretto instead of Kirsch for better flavor
✨ Three delicious components: cake + filling + topping
✨ Easier than they look – just takes some time

Fun fact: The chocolate represents the Black Forest, while the red and white represent traditional colors worn by women of that region. How beautiful is that? 

These are perfect for gatherings, BBQs, or whenever you want to impress someone with an elegant dessert. Multiple people said these were devoured within 2 days – and I totally believe them!

Pro tip: Make sure everything is completely cooled before assembling, or you'll have a melty mess on your hands 

Ready to make cherry season magic? Comment "CHERRIES" below and I'll send the full recipe straight to your DMs!

#blackforestcake #cherryseason #chocolatecupcakes #summerrecipes #elegantdesserts
The secret to getting kids to eat their veggies? W The secret to getting kids to eat their veggies? Wrap them in puff pastry and cheese.

These Broccoli Cheese Pinwheels are a total game-changer in our house. My kids never want vegetables (ok, who are we kidding – NO kid does), but these? They gobble them up without a single complaint!

Here's what makes them amazing:
✨ Only 4 ingredients – puff pastry, cream cheese, broccoli, and shredded cheese
✨ Ready in 30 minutes from start to finish
✨ Perfect for snacks, lunch boxes, or appetizers
✨ Can make them meal-sized or appetizer-sized

The flaky puff pastry + creamy cheese + tender broccoli combo is chef's kiss. One follower said these were gone in SECONDS at their party and everyone wanted the recipe!

Pro tip: Add some shredded chicken to make these a complete meal!

Want the full recipe with all my tips for perfect pinwheels? Comment "PINWHEELS" below and I'll send it straight to your DMs!

#kidfriendlyrecipes #healthysnacks #puffpastry #pinwheels #hiddenveggie
Pull-apart perfection in every bite! This Apple Pull-apart perfection in every bite! 

This Apple Cinnamon Monkey Bread is the ultimate fall treat – fluffy balls of sweet dough stuffed with warm cinnamon apples, rolled in cinnamon sugar, and baked with a sticky brown sugar glaze. It's basically like a giant apple fritter you can pull apart with your hands!

Apple picking season is actually at its peak RIGHT NOW (did you think it was October too?!) so this is the perfect recipe to make with all those fresh apples 🍏

Here's what you need to know:
✨ Easier than you think – yeast dough isn't scary!
✨ 40 little dough balls = maximum pull-apart fun
✨ Each bite has warm cinnamon apples inside
✨ That brown sugar goo? Chef's kiss

Pro tip: Use a nonstick Bundt pan and grease it REALLY well. Trust me on this one.

Perfect for weekend brunch, holiday mornings, or honestly any time you want to impress your people. One follower said her 5-year-old declared this is what they're giving Santa – so you KNOW it's good!

Want the full recipe with all my tips and tricks? Comment "APPLES" below and I'll send it straight to your DMs! 

#monkeybread #applecinnamon #fallbaking #applerecipes #brunchideas
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

Copyright © 2025 Certified Pastry Aficionado · Web Design by Viva la Violet