holiday favorite

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

Brown Sugar Cinnamon Cookie Bars

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

Pumpkin Cheesecake Macarons

overhead shot of slices of pear coffee cake

Pear Coffee Cake

a plate with stacked strawberry white chocolate eclairs, shot from the front

Strawberry White Chocolate Eclairs

close up of sliced loaf of chocolate cinnamon babka with the center exposed to see the beautiful swirl of chocolate

Chocolate Cinnamon Babka

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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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

Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes

stacked maple walnut cookies on a red orange napkin and one cookie with a bite removed

Maple Walnut Cookies

apple pie egg roll dipping in caramel sauce

Apple Pie Egg Rolls

two mugs of Cinnamon Maple Latte topped with whipped cream and sprinkled with pecans with dunkin donuts creamer and a stack of pumpkins on top of a cloth napkin, shot from a side angle

Cinnamon Maple Latte

plate of pecan sticky bun

Pecan Sticky Buns

close up of pretzel bread pudding slice on a plate in a pool of whiskey sauce

Pretzel Bread Pudding

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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
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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
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Poblano Corn Chowder – a creamy corn chowder loa Poblano Corn Chowder – a creamy corn chowder loaded with poblano peppers, Yukon gold potatoes, and sharp cheddar cheese! 🌶️🌽

Cold weather means SOUP SEASON, you guys! And this chowder is the perfect comfort food! Made in a jiffy and super creamy without tons of heavy cream!

The secret? A roux thickens the chowder so regular milk makes it nice and creamy!
Pro tip: Don't skip the Yukon gold potatoes – they're much more tender and creamy than Russett or red potatoes!

Perfect for cold winter nights, cozy dinners, or anytime you need a warm hug in a bowl!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/poblano-corn-chowder/
💬 Comment "CHOWDER" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for soup season
📤 SHARE with someone who loves soup!

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