holiday favorite

a plate with a slice of stone fruit tart and slices of fruit in the background, shot from the front

Stone Fruit Tart

The Best Waffles

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

Pumpkin Cheesecake Macarons

Peppermint Shortbread Bites

Almond Butter Chocolate Tarts on a platter with a spoon of almond butter on it, shot from a side angle

Almond Butter Chocolate Tarts

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

CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

a bowl of Lemon Avocado Pasta Salad with a spoon in it, shot from the front

Lemon Avocado Pasta Salad

appetizer· Easter· salad· Summertime Favorites
January 8, 2018

Lemon Avocado Pasta Salad – Orzo pasta is tossed with fresh cherry tomatoes, creamy avocado, basil, olive oil, and fresh lemon juice to make a light, yet satisfying side dish for any meal Okay, okay. I give in. I’ll start sharing some healthy recipes this month. But just for this month! By the time Valentine’s Day comes around, you guys will…
Read More

a pot of chili mac and cheese, shot from a side angle

Chili Mac & Cheese

beef entrees· pizza & pasta· soup
January 4, 2018

Chili Mac & Cheese – Hearty bean chili is cooked with macaroni and covered with cheese to make for one hearty dish perfect for those cold nights! It’s time for another soup! Well, it’s a half soup, half pasta dish. But comforting, nonetheless. And with the extreme cold weather that’s been here this week (and that will continue for the…
Read More

Fudge Striped Cookies on a wire rack drizzled chocolate, shot from a side angle

Fudge Striped Cookies

Cookies· Holiday Favorites· Valentine's Day
January 2, 2018

Fudge Striped Cookies – Buttery shortbread cookies sandwiched with chocolate ganache and striped with chocolate.  Happy New Year!! I hope the hangover has worn off by now. If you’re like me, you’re struggling on your first day back to work – not from all the alcohol, but from the first early morning since I took off before Christmas. This week…
Read More

collage image of the best recipes of 2017 with descriptive text

Best Recipes of 2017

round-up
December 28, 2017

And just like that, another year is coming to an end. This year was definitely one of my most creative, as I tried to think out of the box to bring you guys the most incredible recipes that I could dream up. Whether it was all the appetizers or the boozy drinks or the endless list of cookie recipes, I…
Read More

a White Chocolate Cream Puff cut in half with the filling showing and a plate of cream puffs in the background and white chocolate chips around it, shot from a side angle

White Chocolate Cream Puffs

dessert· Easter· Holiday Favorites· Valentine's Day
December 26, 2017

White Chocolate Cream Puffs – Light and airy puffs are filled with homemade white chocolate pastry cream and finished with a dip in melted white chocolate.  And just like that, Christmas is over. It’s so sad to see my favorite time of year pass us by. But fear not!! We still have New Year’s Eve to look forward to!! With…
Read More

a piece of Breakfast Pizza being lifted off of a baking sheet with parchment paper on it, shot from a side angle

Breakfast Pizza

breakfast· breakfast casseroles· Easter· pizza & pasta
December 21, 2017

Breakfast Pizza – Crispy puff pastry is loaded with your breakfast favorites: eggs, two kinds of cheese, and bacon. It’s the best thing to serve the whole family on the weekends or for a special brunch! Christmas is creeping up on us, people! Do you have your menu all planned out! Don’t forget the rolls and dessert – which just happen…
Read More

Cranberry Champagne Poptail in two glasses with a bottle of champagne in the background and whole cranberries in the foreground, shot from a side angle

Cranberry Champagne Poptail

drinks· Valentine's Day
December 18, 2017

Cranberry Champagne Poptail – A homemade cranberry cherry popsicle in served in a glass with champagne. As the popsicle melts, it creates a fun sparkling cocktail suitable for any party this season! It’s time to get our drink on, guys! You didn’t think I was gonna let you guys go all the way to New Year’s Eve without a stellar cocktail…
Read More

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 67
  • 68
  • 69
  • 70
  • 71
  • …
  • 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

closeup of mini pumpkin doughnut muffins with one with a bite out of it

Mini Pumpkin Doughnut Muffins

a baking sheet with banana bread granola and a whole banana on it, shot from a side angle

Banana Bread Granola

slice of pistachio loaf on a cutting board with the rest of the loaf in the background

Pistachio Loaf

zoomed in shot of a plate of stacked chocolate gingerbread truffles with one with a bite out of it, shot from a side angle

Chocolate Gingerbread Truffles

autumn kale salad in a blue salad bowl

Autumn Kale Salad

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

Cinnamon Apple Kolaches

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