holiday favorite

raspberry chocolate molten cake on a plate with bites removed to reveal the center

Raspberry Chocolate Molten Cakes

Honey Wheat Bread Loaves

a slice of victoria sandwich cake with a bite remove and a few crumbs on the plate

Victoria Sandwich Cake

Black & White Bundt Cake

close up of a serving bowl with sage and brown butter mashed sweet potatoes

Sage & Brown Butter Mashed Sweet Potatoes

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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

a baking sheet with Easy Sheet-pan Zucchini Gratin on it, shot from overhead

Easy Sheet-pan Zucchini Gratin

sides
January 17, 2019

Easy Sheet-pan Zucchini Gratin – The effort for making zucchini gratin is cut in half, thanks to this easy sheet-pan recipe, made with mozzarella, panko breadcrumbs, and Parmesan cheese.  And I’m back!! I’m sorry I’ve left you without a new recipe in more than 2 months – being a new mom has really taken a toll on my schedule. I found…
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slices of iced pumpkin scones drizzled with frosting on a wire rack on top of parchment paper, shot from overhead

Iced Pumpkin Scones

breakfast· Fall Flavors· Holiday Favorites· pastries
November 15, 2018

Iced Pumpkin Scones – Perfectly spiced pumpkin scones covered in icing to make for a sweet breakfast treat That’s right…I’ve got more pumpkin coming at ya! You can try to hate on the pumpkin fad, but the truth is, pumpkin is popular for a reason – cause it’s gosh-darn delicious! Today’s pumpkin recipe is a tribute to the first-ever pumpkin treat…
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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

bread· cake· dessert· Fall Flavors· Popular Recipes
November 1, 2018

Pumpkin Banana Bread – Ultra-moist banana bread gets even better with the addition of pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice. Man, is it already November?! Where has this year gone?? I know I’ve said this before, but having a newborn has completely thrown off my sense of time. Can you relate?? I feel like all my time and energy has gone…
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Monster Cookie Bars cut and spread around on parchment paper with M&M's spread around, shot from a side angle

Monster Cookie Bars

bars and brownies· Cookies
October 4, 2018

Monster Cookie Bars – All the flavors of the classic monster cookie – peanut butter, oatmeal, chocolate chips, M&M’s,- but now in an easy-to-make bar! Man, this year sure has flown by, hasn’t it?! I cannot believe we are already heading into October. Before you know it, we’ll be buying a Christmas tree and decking the halls! As you are well-aware,…
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collage image of best recipes for home gating with descriptive text

The Best Recipes for Homegating

appetizer· round-up· snacks· Tailgating Recipes
September 27, 2018

Homegating – a gathering of friends and family to watch sports at someone’s home. I’ve been a fan of homegating for the last few years. Maybe I’m getting old but the process of setting up a tailgate or even going to a bar to watch a game seems so exhausting. And expensive! Therefore, I much rather spend my afternoon in…
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a whisking bowl with Garlic & Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes with a wooden spoon in it, shot from overhead

Garlic & Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes

Easter· Holiday Favorites· sides
September 20, 2018

Garlic & Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes – Rustic Yukon gold mashed potatoes made with roasted garlic and extra virgin olive oil The Fall Equinox is this week! That means, Fall officially begins on that day, September 23rd. So if you’ve been resisting the onslaught of pumpkins, fall leaves, and pictures of apple picking, then get ready…it’s about to get a…
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loaded totchos on a baking sheet with parchment paper on it drizzled with ranch tomatoes and green onions, shot from overhead

Loaded Totchos

appetizer· snacks· Tailgating Recipes
September 13, 2018

Loaded Totchos – Crispy tater tots are covered in cheddar and Monterey jack cheeses, bacon, diced tomatoes, and drizzled with sour cream. Hooray for the start of football season! We’re about two weeks in and I am loving every second of it. Even with a newborn around, we still manage to watch college games all Saturday long. However, I must…
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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

chicken and biscuits in a dutch oven overhead shot

Chicken and Dumplings

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

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

portion of sweet potato gratin being removed from casserole dish, revealing gooey center

Sweet Potato Gratin

picture of apple pecan farro salad served on a white plate

Apple Pecan Farro Salad

a slice of peach upside down cake on a white plate with the rest of the cake in the background

Peach Upside-down Cake

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These Dijon Apple Pork Chops are proof that weekni These Dijon Apple Pork Chops are proof that weeknight dinners can be BOTH quick and fancy!

Perfectly cooked pork chops topped with a Dijon apple pan sauce made with fresh apples, rosemary, apple cider, and a touch of Dijon mustard. It's fall flavors at their finest, and it's ready in just 30 minutes!

Why you'll LOVE this recipe:
✨ Quick weeknight dinner (30 minutes!)
✨ Fall flavors you can enjoy all season
✨ Restaurant-quality at home
✨ Simple ingredients you probably have
✨ Pan sauce is EVERYTHING

Here's the magic: while the pork stays hot, we make the sauce first - apples sautéed with rosemary, then simmered in apple cider until tender, finished with Dijon and butter. Pour it over perfectly seared pork chops and you've got a dinner that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen!

The combination of sweet apples, fragrant rosemary, and tangy Dijon is absolutely PERFECT with pork. Serve with roasted Brussels sprouts and mashed potatoes for the ultimate fall dinner!

Pro tips:
🔸 Use pork chops that are at least 1 inch thick
🔸 Go easy on rosemary (it's powerful!)
🔸 Let pork rest 5 minutes before serving
🔸 Cook to 145°F internal temp for juicy chops

Want the full recipe? Comment PORK below and I'll send it straight to your DMs! 

#DijonApplePorkChops #PorkChops #FallDinner #WeekNightDinner #EasyDinner #PorkRecipes #FallRecipes #QuickDinner #30MinuteMeals #PanSauce #AppleRecipes #FallFlavors #DinnerIdeas #EasyRecipes #WeeknightMeals #PorkChopRecipe #FallCooking #HealthyDinner #HomeCooking #DinnerRecipe #FallFood #QuickRecipes #FoodBlogger #Rosemary #AppleCider #FamilyDinner #SeasonalCooking #ComfortFood #Foodie #DeliciousDinner
These aren't your average buttermilk pancakes! Mad These aren't your average buttermilk pancakes! Made with ground pistachios, honey, and a hint of almond extract, these fluffy pancakes are rich, nutty, and absolutely DELICIOUS. 

What makes these pancakes SPECIAL:
✨ Ground pistachios for nutty flavor (no crunch!)
✨ Honey instead of sugar (pairs perfectly with pistachios)
✨ Almond extract brings out the pistachio flavor
✨ Super fluffy texture (the secret: let the batter rest!)
✨ Unique & impressive breakfast

The ground pistachios give these pancakes an incredible flavor and that gorgeous green tint without adding any crunch to your pancakes. The almond extract enhances the pistachio flavor and creates this rich, nutty taste that's SO good! And using honey instead of regular sugar? Game changer!

Top with butter, maple syrup, and extra crushed pistachios for the ultimate presentation!

Pro tips for FLUFFY pancakes:
🔸 Let the batter rest 15-30 minutes (don't skip this!)
🔸 Only add batter to a HOT pan
🔸 Look for bubbles on top before flipping
🔸 Use buttermilk for that classic fluffy texture

Trust me, once you try these pistachio pancakes, you'll want to make them every weekend! The flavor is incredible and they look so impressive stacked up on a plate.

Want the full recipe? Comment PANCAKES below and I'll send it straight to your DMs! 

#PistachioPancakes #PancakeRecipe #BreakfastRecipe #ButtermilkPancakes #HomemadePancakes #PistachioRecipes #WeekendBrunch #BrunchIdeas #FathersDay #FathersDayBreakfast #BreakfastGoals #FluffyPancakes #BreakfastFromScratch #BrunchRecipe #PancakeLove #PistachioLovers #SpecialBreakfast #WeekendBreakfast #HomemadeBreakfast #BreakfastIdeas #FoodBlogger #BrunchGoals #NuttyFlavors #FancyBreakfast #PancakeStack #MorningGoals #BreakfastTime #Foodie #DeliciousBreakfast
This Sweet Potato Gratin is about to steal the sho This Sweet Potato Gratin is about to steal the show at your holiday table! 

Thinly sliced sweet potatoes baked in a maple-spiced cream sauce and topped with Parmesan cheese. It's the perfect balance of sweet and savory, and honestly? It's EASIER than making mashed potatoes!

Why you'll LOVE this recipe:
✨ Sweet & savory flavor combo (maple + Parmesan!)
✨ Impressive presentation but simple to make
✨ Easier AND faster than mashed potatoes
✨ Creamy inside, crispy golden top
✨ Perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any holiday feast

Here's what makes this gratin special: the sweet potatoes are cooked in a cream sauce with maple sugar (or maple syrup), cinnamon, and nutmeg, then topped with grated Parmesan before baking. 

The result is a gorgeous layered side dish that's creamy, rich, and absolutely delicious! The texture is what sets this apart from traditional sweet potato casserole - those thinly sliced layers give you the perfect bite every time. And that crispy, golden Parmesan top? Chef's kiss 

Pro tips:
🔸 Use a mandolin slicer for perfectly even slices (be careful!)
🔸 Use GRATED Parmesan, not shredded (it melts better!)
🔸 Let it cool 15-20 minutes before serving for best texture
🔸 Can swap maple sugar for maple syrup

This is going straight on my Thanksgiving menu, and I think you should add it to yours too! It's fancy enough to impress but easy enough to not stress about. Win-win! 

Want the full recipe? https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/sweet-potato-gratin/
I combined two breakfast classics into one AMAZING I combined two breakfast classics into one AMAZING treat - fluffy homemade cinnamon rolls filled with sliced bananas, chopped walnuts, brown sugar, and cinnamon. 

These Banana Nut Cinnamon Rolls are the breakfast dream you never knew you needed!

Here's what makes them INCREDIBLE:
✨ Fluffy, gooey homemade cinnamon rolls
✨ Fresh banana slices + crunchy walnuts in every bite
✨ Cream cheese frosting with optional walnut topping
✨ Brown sugar cinnamon filling

The secret? I replaced the egg in the dough with mashed banana, which adds SO much flavor without affecting the texture. 

The rolls come out just as fluffy and soft as traditional cinnamon rolls, but with that amazing banana bread taste we all love!

Yes, homemade cinnamon rolls take time (about 3 hours total with rising), but they are SO WORTH IT. 

The keys to success:
🔸 Use fresh yeast (make sure it foams!)
🔸 Knead the dough for the full 5 minutes
🔸 Don't rush the proofing time - fluffy rolls need time to rise!

These are perfect for weekend brunch, special occasions, or any time you want to seriously impress! The combo of bananas, walnuts, and cinnamon is absolutely divine.

Pro tip: You can prep these the night before! Let them do the second rise in the fridge overnight, then bake fresh in the morning. Your house will smell AMAZING! 

Want the full recipe? https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/banana-nut-cinnamon-rolls/
This Pumpkin Crumb Cake is everything you love abo This Pumpkin Crumb Cake is everything you love about coffeehouse crumb cake, but with cozy pumpkin spice vibes! Dense, moist pumpkin cake topped with the most incredible crispy cinnamon sugar crumbs. It's the perfect fall treat!

What makes this crumb cake SO good:
✨ Whole can of pumpkin puree for maximum flavor
✨ Pumpkin pie spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves)
✨ Super moist, slightly dense texture (in the best way!)
✨ Crispy, buttery cinnamon crumb topping
✨ Perfect with your morning coffee or afternoon tea

This is one of my all-time favorite coffeehouse treats, and the pumpkin version is PERFECT for fall! The cake is incredibly moist thanks to the pumpkin puree, and those crispy crumbs on top add the most satisfying texture contrast. It's divine!

You can serve it warm or at room temperature, and it stays fresh for days (if it lasts that long!). 

Perfect for:
🍂 Fall breakfast or brunch
🎃 Thanksgiving dessert
☕ Weekend coffee date at home
🍁 Cozy autumn afternoons

Pro tip: Make the crumb topping first and chill it in the fridge while you make the batter. This helps the crumbs stay crispy during baking!

Want the full recipe? https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/pumpkin-crumb-cake/

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