holiday favorite

styled shot of Chocolate Espresso Snowcaps

Chocolate Espresso Snowcaps

picture of mixed berry almond tart dusted with powdered sugar shot at an angle from the front

Mixed Berry Almond Tart

overhead shot of slices of pear coffee cake

Pear Coffee Cake

Gingerbread Biscotti on parchment paper

Gingerbread Biscotti

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

Cinnamon Apple Kolaches

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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

cubes of everything focaccia on a serving plater

Everything Focaccia

bread· snacks
January 9, 2024

Everything Focaccia – Homemade focaccia dough is topped with everything seasoning (salt, poppyseeds, sesame seeds, and onion) and baked to perfection. A recipe for scallion cream cheese is also included! Today’s recipe is a fresh take on a classic focaccia bread. I have long-loved a yummy focaccia, like this rosemary and olive oil version or this tomato pesto version. Recently,…
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monte cristo pinwheel dipping in raspberry jam

Monte Cristo Pinwheels

appetizer· sandwiches & wraps· snacks· Tailgating Recipes
January 5, 2024

Monte Cristo Pinwheels – Puff pastry dough is rolled with black forest ham and Swiss cheese and baked to perfection. The pinwheels get dusted with powdered sugar and served with raspberry jam for dipping. Monte Cristo sandwiches are super fun – I mean how can you not love a ham and cheese sandwich, batter and fried, and served with raspberry…
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cranberry oat bagels sitting together on a white towel

Cranberry Oat Bagels

bread
January 1, 2024

Cranberry Oat Bagels – Whole wheat bagels are sweetened with honey and sprinkled with dried cranberries throughout and whole oats on top. Happy New Year! Today’s recipe is just what you need to let go of the sugary, fatty foods you loaded up on in December and start yourself on a healthier journey (at least until Valentine’s Day). This Cranberry…
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autumn kale salad in a blue salad bowl

Autumn Kale Salad

appetizer· Fall Flavors· Holiday Favorites· salad
December 15, 2023

Autumn Kale Salad – Chopped kale with roasted sweet potato, pearl couscous, pecans, dried cranberries, and sliced onion, all tossed together with a maple citrus vinaigrette. Autumn may be past us now, but that’s not stopping me from enjoying all those flavors! I love sweet potatoes, cranberries, and pecans in a salad (as is evident by previous salads that I’ve…
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a short glass with a gold rim filled with cherry bourbon spritz and a garnish of rosemary twig

Cherry Bourbon Spritz

drinks· Holiday Favorites· Valentine's Day
December 8, 2023

Cherry Bourbon Spritz – Sweet cherries are smashed with lemon juice and bourbon and then finished with a little cherry sparkling water. Happy Friday! It’s only fitting that I send you into the weekend with a new holiday drink. This one is made with bourbon, which, along with mezcal, has been a popular hard liquor lately. The Old-fashioned is the…
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whole nutella cream pie shot from an overhead angle

Nutella Cream Pie

dessert· Holiday Favorites· pie· Valentine's Day
December 5, 2023

Nutella Cream Pie – This no-bake pie is made with Nutella, cream cheese, and whipped topping and then filled in an Oreo pie crust. Nutella is a miracle ingredient. I really don’t use it enough. When added to pastry, it can make incredible breakfast treats. Spread it on waffles with a little fruit, and you’ve got a fancy snack. For…
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photo of two glasses of sangria with the pitcher in the background

Cranberry Apple Sangria

drinks· Fall Flavors· Holiday Favorites
November 27, 2023

Cranberry Apple Sangria – Tempranillo wine mixed with brandy, apple cider, cranberry juice, and ginger ale and served with diced apples and cranberries I looooove sangria. One of my favorite restaurants is a tapas bar with the most incredible red sangria. If I’m not careful. I can finish off the pitcher all by myself! I have made many different types…
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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

oatmeal rolls sitting on a baking sheet

Oatmeal Dinner Rolls

apple pie egg roll dipping in caramel sauce

Apple Pie Egg Rolls

a hand holding up a cinnamon bun soft pretzel

Cinnamon Bun Soft Pretzels

overhead shot of slices of pear coffee cake

Pear Coffee Cake

plate of Pumpkin Cheesecake Macarons with a gourd in the background, shot from the front

Pumpkin Cheesecake Macarons

Butterscotch Pear Turnovers on a baking sheet with parchment paper, shot from overhead

Butterscotch Pear Turnovers

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Creamy Poblano Enchiladas – tortillas stuffed wi Creamy Poblano Enchiladas – tortillas stuffed with shredded chicken, covered in a creamy poblano sauce and cheese, then baked until creamy perfection! 

I'm more of a green enchiladas fan than red, you guys! While this sauce isn't traditional green enchilada sauce, it's got similar flavor notes! Plus, with the added milk, it's super creamy and decadent! 

The secret? A roux makes the sauce ultra creamy without needing tons of heavy cream!

Pro tip: Don't skip the lime juice! It's KEY to balancing out the flavors – this is NOT an optional ingredient!

Perfect for Cinco de Mayo, dinner parties, family dinners, or anytime you want creamy enchiladas! 🎉

💬 Comment "POBLANO" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for Cinco de Mayo
📤 SHARE with someone who loves enchiladas!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/creamy-poblano-enchiladas/
Beef Empanadas – flaky pie dough filled with cum Beef Empanadas – flaky pie dough filled with cumin-spiced beef and tomato mixture!

These are perfect for Cinco de Mayo, you guys! Small party-perfect size (makes about 20!) with super flavorful filling that's NOT spicy – everyone will love them! 😍

Made with my classic pie dough for the flakiest crust, then filled with seasoned beef, onions, and tomatoes!

Pro tip: Make sure to chill the dough before rolling it out – this lets it rest and firm up so it gets nice and flaky while baking!

Perfect for Cinco de Mayo parties, game day, meal prep, or anytime you want delicious hand-held snacks!

💬 Comment "EMPANADAS" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for party planning
📤 SHARE with someone who loves empanadas!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/beef-empanadas
Apple Pie Sundae – cinnamon crumble ice cream to Apple Pie Sundae – cinnamon crumble ice cream topped with caramelized cinnamon apples, pie crust chips, and caramel sauce to make a fun way to eat your favorite pie! 

You guys, this is apple pie DECONSTRUCTED! All the flavors you love but in sundae form! 

I was inspired by a restaurant dessert but knew I could take it up a few notches! I added crispy pie crust chips and caramel sauce (because apples + caramel = perfection!), and the result is INCREDIBLE!

Pro tip: Use a cast-iron skillet to caramelize the apples – it gives them better color and flavor than a non-stick pan! And cook them just 8-10 minutes so they still have bite and aren't mushy!

Perfect for National Ice Cream Month, summer treats, fall desserts, or anytime you want apple pie without baking a whole pie! 🥧

💬 Comment "APPLESUNDAE" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for dessert inspiration
📤 SHARE with ice cream lovers!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/apple-pie-sundae/
Chocolate Cream Pie – flaky pie crust baked to p Chocolate Cream Pie – flaky pie crust baked to perfection, filled with chocolate pudding, and topped with fresh whipped cream that won't wilt!

This is THE pie to make if you're trying to switch up your holiday traditions, you guys! Sometimes you need a break from pumpkin pie and pecan pie!

The genius secret? Unflavored gelatin in the whipped cream makes it stable so it won't wilt or melt – you can make this ahead!

Pro tip: Add the hot milk to the eggs VERY slowly or the eggs will scramble and the pudding will get lumpy!

Perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine's Day, Easter, or anytime you want chocolate cream perfection! 

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/chocolate-cream-pie

💬 Comment "CHOCPIE" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for holiday desserts
📤 SHARE with someone who loves chocolate pie!
Banana Bread Granola – oats tossed with pecans, Banana Bread Granola – oats tossed with pecans, walnuts, banana puree, honey, and cinnamon to make a crunchy snack that tastes (and smells!) just like banana bread! 🍌

I never thought homemade granola would be worth the effort, you guys! But the effort is minimal and the end result is SO worth it! 

My favorite part? The SMELL! When it bakes, the banana and cinnamon create an aroma almost exactly like baking banana bread – it's intoxicating!

Pro tip: You MUST use super ripe bananas for this recipe – they have more sugar so you don't need tons of honey!

Perfect for breakfast bowls, yogurt topping, snacking, or anytime you want banana bread in granola form! 

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/banana-bread-granola/

💬 Comment "GRANOLA" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for breakfast ideas
📤 SHARE with someone who loves banana bread!

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