holiday favorite

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

Pistachio Snowballs

close up of beignets stacked on a plate, covered in powdered sugar

Beignets

zoomed in shot of min fruit tarts, shot from a side angle

Classic Fruit Tarts

Honey Wheat Bread Loaves

zoomed in shot of chocolate snickerdoodles on parchment paper with a spoon in front, shot from a side angle

Chocolate Snickerdoodles

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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

avocado margarita ion glass rimmed with pink salt and ice in the foreground as garnish

Avocado Margaritas

drinks
June 23, 2023

Avocado Margaritas – Avocado is added to a classic margarita with a little melon liquor to make for a creamy, fun take on the Mexican cocktail. Summertime is here! The days are long and hot and sometimes the best thing to get you through them is a refreshing cold drink. I love a margarita and especially a new take on…
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raspberry lime macaron sandwich on a white plate with lime zest garnish

Raspberry Lime Macaron Sandwich

Cookies· dessert· Easter· Holiday Favorites· Valentine's Day
June 19, 2023

Raspberry Lime Macaron Sandwich – Large, pink macaron shells are filled with fresh lime curd and whole raspberries and sandwiched together for a snack fit for a queen. Today’s treat is inspired by a dessert I’ve enjoyed many times at Disney’s Epcot. The France pavilion has a wonderful patisserie with baked breads, pastries, and desserts. I always get this Raspberry…
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a fried onion petal dipping into horseradish dip

Fried Onion Petals

appetizer· snacks
June 8, 2023

Fried Onion Petals – Sweet onion is sliced into petals, seasoned, and fried until perfectly crispy. Served with homemade horseradish sauce. Another yummy snack coming at ya! This one was uber addictive. I was munching on these Fried Onion Petals all day after making them. The inspiration for this snack comes from the Bloomin’ Onion at Outback Steakhouse. Making a…
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rosemary cheese straws sitting in a bowl with rosemary leaves sitting next to the bowl ad more straws in the background

Rosemary Cheese Straws

appetizer· snacks
June 5, 2023

Rosemary Cheese Straws – The Southern cheese straw is flavored with fresh rosemary to give them a sophisticated feel. I am a snacker, through and through. Before meeting my husband and living together, my meals were not planned out and mostly consisted of a lot of small snacks throughout the day. Over time, I learned it’s very hard to coordinate…
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glass of watermelon basil lemonade with a pitcher next to it

Watermelon Basil Lemonade

drinks· Easter· Summertime Favorites
May 29, 2023

Watermelon Basil Lemonade – Homemade lemonade sweetened with basil sugar and fresh watermelon juice. There are a few things as synonymous with summer as lemonade. A glass of cold lemonade can make even the muggiest, humid day feel better. I love making my lemonade from scratch. Doing so allows me the freedom to try out new flavors – like this…
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close up of buffalo chicken sliders stacked on a platter with blue cheese sauce dripping

Buffalo Chicken Sliders

appetizer· chicken entrees· sandwiches & wraps· Tailgating Recipes
May 26, 2023

Buffalo Chicken Sliders – Buffalo chicken nuggets are loaded into soft sweet rolls and topped with homemade blue cheese sauce I love a great slider. Full-sized burgers and sandwiches feel like a big commitment and since I have no self-control, I tend to over-eat. Sliders help me manage my over-eating better. These Buffalo Chicken Sliders are my newest obsession. They…
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schnitzel sub sandwiches stacked on a white plate

Schnitzel Sub Sandwich

chicken entrees· sandwiches & wraps
May 22, 2023

Schnitzel Sub Sandwich – Crispy, thin fried chicken tenders are place in a hoagie bun, along with a squeeze of lemon juice, baby arugula, and shaved Parmesan cheese to make a new take on a chicken tender sub. I love a great sandwich. I tried a new sandwich recently that was so simple – fried chicken, arugula, a hint of…
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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

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

overhead shot of partially eaten baked carrot cake oatmeal in casserole dish with serving spoon

Baked Carrot Cake Oatmeal

overhead shot of cheddar crusted apple pie with lattice crust

Cheddar Crusted Apple Pie

slice of carrot snack cake on a pink plate

Carrot Snack Cake

zoomed in shot of a bowl of sweet potato gnocchi, shot from a side angle

Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Sage Browned Butter

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

Sage & Brown Butter Mashed Sweet Potatoes

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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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