holiday favorite

a plate of pistachio snowballs with one cut in half on top of the plate, shot from the front

Pistachio Snowballs

a slice of bread being dipped into the butter in a dish of roasted garlic mushrooms with a loaf of bread in the background, shot from a side angle

Roasted Garlic Mushrooms

a slice of blackberry doughnut cake is shown slightly removed from the whole cake on a plate

Blackberry Doughnut Cake

plate of mini ham and cheese quiche with caramelized onions and a plan of quiche in the back

Mini Ham & Cheese Quiche with Caramelized Onions

a plate of Slow Cooker Short Ribs with sprigs of thyme on top, shot from a side angle

Slow Cooker Short Ribs

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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

homemade italian meatballs tossed with spaghetti and shot from overhead

Homemade Italian Meatballs

beef entrees· pizza & pasta
September 29, 2023

Homemade Italian Meatballs – Made with pork and beef and, these are the most tender and flavorful meatballs you’ve ever had! Tips & Tricks Dice the bread in small pieces. Make sure you cut the bread into small pieces. This will ensure it mixes well into the meatballs and doesn’t leave big chunks in the meatballs. Don’t over mix the…
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apple pie egg roll dipping in caramel sauce

Apple Pie Egg Rolls

dessert· doughnuts and sweet rolls· Fall Flavors· pie
September 26, 2023

Apple Pie Egg Rolls – Cinnamon apples are rolled into an egg roll wrapper with a little cream cheese and air fried until crispy. They are finished with a roll in cinnamon sugar. My air fryer has certainly surprised me. I was worried it would be another appliance striving to be the next big thing and then falling flat. But…
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apple cider bundt cake with a granny smith apple in the center

Apple Cider Bundt Cake

cake
September 22, 2023

Apple Cider Bundt Cake – A perfectly spiced Bundt cake sweetened with apple cider Pumpkin tends to steal the show over this season but there are so many other incredible flavors that should be enjoyed during the fall. Apples, especially, are wonderful this time of year so I love to make lots of apple treats and even some apple cider…
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oatmeal rolls sitting on a baking sheet

Oatmeal Dinner Rolls

bread· Fall Flavors
September 15, 2023

Oatmeal Dinner Rolls – Homemade dinner rolls made with oatmeal and brown sugar I love some homemade dinner rolls, hot from the oven and with a thin layer of butter spread on the inside. Mmmm. It seems only natural to save the bread baking for the fall and winter seasons since the warm oven is an easy way to cook…
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front shot of pumpkin loaf cut into slices

My Favorite Pumpkin Loaf

bread· cake· dessert· Fall Flavors
September 11, 2023

My Favorite Pumpkin Loaf – The most moist, perfectly spiced pumpkin loaf. I make this every year and freeze extra for leftovers. It’s my all-time favorite loaf cake. I think we’re far enough into September to officially welcome in pumpkin season, don’t you? I mean, I already have heirloom pumpkins sitting on my front porch and pumpkin coffee brewing in…
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Goat Cheese Phyllo Cigars

appetizer· Easter· Holiday Favorites· snacks· Valentine's Day
September 4, 2023

Goat Cheese Phyllo Cigars – Thin phyllo dough is filled with goat cheese and herb filling, rolled into cigars, and baked until they are perfectly crispy. Served with a drizzle of honey. Goat cheese is a favorite of mine. I love it in a fresh salad or even baked inside a chicken breast. Baking it in phyllo has been an…
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close up of two brown sugar cinnamon cookie bars stacked on top of each other

Brown Sugar Cinnamon Cookie Bars

bars and brownies· Cookies· dessert· Easter· Fall Flavors· Holiday Favorites· snacks
August 22, 2023

Brown Sugar Cinnamon Cookie Bars – Brown sugar cinnamon filing is placed between shortbread cookie layers. It all gets a yummy maple cinnamon icing to take these bars over the top I stubbled upon these Brown Sugar Cinnamon Cookie Bars on Instagram. I was flabbergasted at the originality in these bars but also seemed super simple to make. They seemed…
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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

slice of carrot snack cake on a pink plate

Carrot Snack Cake

a plate of pie crust chips with a bowl of Salted Caramel Apple Pie Dip on it and a jar of caramel behind it, shot from a side angle

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Dip with Pie Crust Chips

close up of two brown sugar cinnamon cookie bars stacked on top of each other

Brown Sugar Cinnamon Cookie Bars

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

Holiday Mule

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

plate of pecan sticky bun

Pecan Sticky Buns

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Raspberry and chocolate is a match made in heaven! Raspberry and chocolate is a match made in heaven! I just love how the juicy, tart raspberries balance out even the darkest chocolate. This combo is hard to beat, especially around this time of year!

I took my favorite molten chocolate cake recipe and made it even BETTER by adding fresh raspberry puree and a fresh raspberry in the center. The result? Pure indulgence!

These mini molten cakes are:
🍫 The perfect individual serving size (no more giant cakes!)
🍓 Light yet completely decadent
💕 Romantic and festive with those gorgeous colors
⚡ Ready in just 35 minutes total

The best part? That gooey, molten center with the surprise raspberry inside! Every bite is heaven.

Want the complete recipe? Comment 'MOLTEN' below and I'll send you the link!

#RaspberryChocolateMoltenCake #MoltenCake #ChocolateLavaCake #ValentinesDayDessert #RaspberryChocolate
I'm SO excited to share these Raspberry Almond Lin I'm SO excited to share these Raspberry Almond Linzer Cookies with you!

I've always loved almond (hence my obsession with almond croissants), and you know I'm crazy about berries. But it wasn't until I tried raspberry almond thumbprint cookies last year that I realized how KILLER these two flavors are together!

So I wanted to showcase this dynamic duo in a more sophisticated way. Enter: Linzer Cookies! These Austrian beauties feature a little window of jam in the center, and honestly? They're not short on the pizzazz, that's for sure.

Here's what makes these cookies SO good:
🍓 Buttery almond shortbread base
🍓 Perfectly tart seedless raspberry jam
🍓 Crisp texture with the perfect moisture from the jam
🍓 They look WAY more impressive than they actually are to make

Now, I won't lie - these rank Medium on the difficulty level. They're not particularly hard, they just take a little patience. But don't worry! I've got ALL my tips and tricks in the full recipe to make sure you feel confident!

Critical tips for success:
1️⃣ Keep the dough COLD or they'll spread into flat pancakes (trust me on this!)
2️⃣ Use parchment paper when rolling - lifesaver for sticky dough
3️⃣ Dip your cookie cutter in flour between cuts
4️⃣ Chill cut cookies for 30 min BEFORE baking
5️⃣ If dough gets sticky, pop it in the freezer - I do this constantly!

The best part? As soon as you bite into one of these, a rush of flavor overcomes your mouth and all you can manage to say is "Yummm!" How could you not love these cookies?!

They're perfect for your holiday cookie exchanges, Christmas parties, Valentine's Days, or honestly anytime you want something that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen but is secretly pretty doable!

Want the full recipe with ALL my detailed tips? https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/raspberry-almond-linzer-cookies/
Today's recipe is the perfect romantic dessert and Today's recipe is the perfect romantic dessert and just what you need for your V-Day needs. 

It's light, flavorful, and looks VERY impressive – the soufflé!

In this version, there's a layer of cherry compote at the bottom of each ramekin with almond cake on top. Cherry and almond are so perfect together, guys. This dessert tastes like heaven!

Here's why you'll LOVE this recipe:
💕 Light almond cake with sweet-tart cherry compote
💕 Looks fancy but surprisingly doable
💕 Perfect for date night at home
💕 That classic cherry-almond flavor combo
💕 Individual servings = so romantic!

Critical tips for souffle success:
1️⃣ Gently fold the egg whites - If you stir too vigorously, they'll deflate and won't help the soufflé rise
2️⃣ Grease AND sugar the ramekins - The sugar helps the soufflé climb up the sides instead of falling back down
3️⃣ Keep oven CLOSED - Do NOT open the door before it's done or it could fall!
4️⃣ Serve immediately - Straight out of the oven for the prettiest presentation

Fun fact: If you want extra tall soufflés, you can add a paper collar to the inside of the dish before filling it with batter. But I definitely don't think it's necessary!

This might be my favorite Valentine's Day dessert ever. That cherry-almond combo is just chef's kiss.

Want the full recipe? 💌 Comment 'SOUFFLE' below and I'll send you the link!

#CherryAlmondSouffle #ValentinesDayDessert #SouffleRecipe #ValentinesDayBaking #HomemadeSouffle #ValentinesDayRecipes
It's soup season, y'all! And I'm bringing you my F It's soup season, y'all! And I'm bringing you my FAVORITE fall comfort food: Salsa Verde Chicken Chili! 

This isn't your typical chili, guys. We're talking shredded chicken, white beans, and a HEARTY salsa verde broth that'll warm you right up on these chilly days!

The best part? It's SO EASY! I use rotisserie chicken so there's barely any prep work. Just shred, dump, and let it simmer for an hour. That's it!

Here's why you'll LOVE this recipe:
✨ Packed with protein and fiber from white beans
✨ Fresh salsa verde flavor (not jarred stuff!)
✨ Ready in about 1.5 hours total
✨ Perfect for meal prep - lasts 3 days in the fridge
✨ Totally customizable with your favorite toppings

And can we talk about the avocado situation? I'd never had avocado in my chili before this, and OH MY GOSH. Game changer! The creaminess + the spices = chef's kiss

Swipe to see the process and my top tips! ➡️

💌 Want the full recipe? Comment 'VERDE' below and I'll send you the link!
Have you tried white chili before? Let me know in the comments! 👇

#SalsaVerdeChickenChili  #ComfortFoo #ChickenChili #SoupRecipe
Okay I'm taking a break from all this healthy eati Okay I'm taking a break from all this healthy eating. Gimme me all the chocolate!

This Red Velvet Loaf is EXACTLY what I needed after a month of Weight Watchers! Ultra-moist red velvet cake topped with fluffy cream cheese frosting - and the best part? It's a loaf so there's no fussy layering!

Here's why you'll LOVE this recipe:
🔴 Super moist thanks to buttermilk (my secret weapon!)
🔴 Perfect for Valentine's Day or any time you need something red and festive
🔴 Easy loaf format - no cake decorating skills needed
🔴 That classic red velvet flavor with mild chocolate notes

The trick to keeping this cake moist? Don't overbake it! I start checking around the 1-hour mark. Also, gel food coloring is KEY - it won't mess with your batter consistency.

Fun fact: I never even tasted red velvet until I moved to Atlanta! Now it's one of my favorite treats to make.

Want the full recipe? 💌 Comment 'RED VELVET' below and I'll send you the link!
Have you tried making red velvet at home? Let me know in the comments! 

#RedVelvetLoaf #RedVelvetCake #ValentinesDayDessert #ValentinesDayBaking #LoafCake #HomemadeCake #RedVelvet #DessertRecipe #CakeRecipe #ValentinesTreatsl

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