holiday favorite

Goat Cheese Phyllo Cigars

close up of slices of cranberry orange loaf on a serving platter

Cranberry Orange Loaf

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

Berry Mimosas in flutes pictured with champagne and bowl of berries

Berry Mimosas

photo taken from the right side of oasted greek lemon potatoes sitting in a dark 9x13 pan

Greek Lemon Potatoes

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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

baked brie with roasted pears and walnuts on top

Roasted Pear Baked Brie

appetizer· Holiday Favorites
October 11, 2021

Roasted Pear Baked Brie – Bartlett pears are roasted with fresh thyme, walnuts, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and honey and then placed atop a warm, baked brie. As we approach the holiday season, it’s time to revamp your typical appetizer recipes. You may have a go-to cheese recipe that you love to share with your family and friends. Well, get…
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stacked maple walnut cookies on a red orange napkin and one cookie with a bite removed

Maple Walnut Cookies

Cookies· Fall Flavors· Holiday Favorites
October 7, 2021

Maple Walnut Cookies – Buttery cookies loaded with chopped walnuts and maple sugar make for soft cookies with a crisp edge. Perfect for the fall season! Ooo ooo ooo! Now that October is here, it’s time for fall baking! While I would never judge you for starting your fall baking in September, for me, October just feels like the right…
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overhead shot of sesame seed braided loaf partially sliced

Sesame Seed Braided Loaf

bread
September 30, 2021

Sesame Seed Braided Loaf – Soft braided white dough is braided and sprinkled with sesame seeds before it’s baked to a perfect golden brown. It’s the perfect texture for sandwiches! Bread baking has become my new obsession. I love how easy it is to make some incredible breads right in my own oven. I remember how intimidated I used to…
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picture of dark chocolate caramel cupcakes with caramel dripping down

Dark Chocolate Caramel Cupcakes

cake· dessert
September 27, 2021

Dark Chocolate Caramel Cupcakes – Dark chocolate cupcakes are oozing with salted caramel sauce and topped with dark chocolate frosting, more caramel, and finished with sea salt. Chocolate and caramel don’t get enough praise, if you ask me. It’s always peanut butter and chocolate or strawberries and chocolate or even marshmallows and chocolate getting all the love. But there’s something…
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photo of smothered pork chops in the braising dish with tons of gravy and thyme leaves for garnish

Smothered Pork Chops

pork entrees
September 23, 2021

Smothered Pork Chops – Bone-in pork chops are lightly fried and then smothered in a creamy onion pan sauce to make for an exciting escape from boring dinners! Mmm mmm. I just love a comfort meal I can easily make during the week. With all the savory meals I’ve been posting in the last month, I’m sure that’s no surprise…
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photo of cinnamon apple kolaches with granny smith apples in the background

Cinnamon Apple Kolaches

doughnuts and sweet rolls· Easter· Fall Flavors· Holiday Favorites
September 20, 2021

Cinnamon Apple Kolaches – Fluffy sweet rolls are topped with cinnamon apples, baked to perfection, and finished with sweet icing. Fall is here and the baking is ramping up. I am so excited to make this house smell like deliciousness each weekend. Bring on all the pumpkin, sweet potato, cinnamon, and apple treats! My first treat of the season is…
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close up of chinese bbq pork tenderloin on a blue plate with rice and pickled cucumbers

Chinese BBQ Pork Tenderloin

pork entrees
September 16, 2021

Chinese BBQ Pork Tenderloin – Pork tenderloin is marinated in a sweet Chinese BBQ sauce and then roasted in the oven to tender perfection. It’s finished off with the broiler to give the outside a sticky glaze. Pork tenderloin is one of the easiest proteins to make. It’s shocking to me that I only started cooking it after moving in…
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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

a bowl of Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Bread Pudding topped with ice cream with a casserole dish with bread pudding and two pumpkins stacked on top of each other in the background, shot from a side angle

Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Bread Pudding

Pecan Pie Brownies

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)

Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes

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

shortcut apple strudel on a marble serving platter cut down the middle to expose the apple center with vanilla ice cream on top and a fork in the foreground

Shortcut Apple Strudel

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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

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