holiday favorite

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

Pistachio Loaf

zoomed in shot of sour cream doughnuts and donut holes on a cloth napkin, shot from a side angle

Sour Cream Doughnuts

a short glass with a gold rim filled with cherry bourbon spritz and a garnish of rosemary twig

Cherry Bourbon Spritz

a plate of Peanut Butter Blossoms and a wrapped hershey kiss next to them and a pan of more cookies and hershey kisses in the background, shot from a side angle

Peanut Butter Blossoms

picture of mixed berry almond tart dusted with powdered sugar shot at an angle from the front

Mixed Berry Almond Tart

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

CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

styled shot of of Salted Caramel Ice Cream in a glass dish with an ice cream scooper with sugar cones and a full ice cream cone next to it and a jar and spoon of caramel sauce

Salted Caramel Ice Cream

dessert· Fall Flavors· ice cream· National Ice Cream Month· Summertime Favorites
July 20, 2017

Salted Caramel Ice Cream – The creamiest ice cream you will ever have! Made with homemade caramel, this custard-based ice cream is super decadent and rich and worth every single calorie.  I am struggling to start this post today. Today marks the One-Year Anniversary of the blog so I thought I’d have tons of grateful and emotional things to say….
Read More

two cones with Avocado Lime Sorbet in a glass with sliced limes and half an avocado

Avocado Lime Sorbet

dessert· ice cream· National Ice Cream Month· Summertime Favorites
July 13, 2017

Avocado Lime Sorbet – Made with only three ingredients, this avocado lime sorbet is shockingly refreshing and unbelievably creamy. It’s going to be your new favorite summer treat! How have you been spending #NationalIceCreamMonth so far? Have you tried out these chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwiches yet? I froze all the sandwiches I made for the blog and have slowly…
Read More

styled shot of Blackberry & Rosemary Pork Tenderloin on a platter with blackberries sprigs of thyme a bowl of blackberry sauce two bottles of wine and full wine glasses on a cloth napkin, shot from the front

Blackberry & Rosemary Pork Tenderloin (+wine pairing)

pork entrees· Summertime Favorites
July 10, 2017

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. The following content is intended for readers who are 21 or older. #SipsOfSummer #CollectiveBias Blackberry & Rosemary Pork Tenderloin – Pork tenderloin is marinated in a blackberry & rosemary marinade, grilled to perfection, and then drizzled with a thick blackberry & rosemary sauce for…
Read More

a glass dish of Cobb Salad Dip with a bowl of more chips in the background, shot from the front

Cobb Salad Dip

appetizer· dips· Summertime Favorites· Tailgating Recipes
July 6, 2017

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SeeHowFreshWorks #CollectiveBias Cobb Salad Dip – A creamy ranch dip covered in your favorite toppings from a traditional cobb salad. The perfect appetizer for game days, summer parties, and barbecues! I don’t know about you guys, but my July is JAM. PACKED. I’ve got…
Read More

three Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches stacked on top of each other on parchment paper with a plate of cookies and a bowl of ice cream in the background, shot from the front

Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches

Cookies· ice cream· National Ice Cream Month· Summertime Favorites· Valentine's Day
July 3, 2017

Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches – Your favorite ice cream is sandwiched with the chewiest chocolate chip cookies to make the best handheld dessert. This is the perfect treat to enjoy all summer long and the best way to celebrate National Ice Cream month in July! Welcome to July, everyone! We’re in the peak of summer so hopefully you’ve…
Read More

overhead shot of Peach Raspberry Cobbler in a baking dish with a large spoon and a scoop taken out of the side

Peach Raspberry Cobbler

dessert· Summertime Favorites
June 29, 2017

Peach Raspberry Cobbler – A Southern peach cobbler given a little twist with the addition of fresh raspberries and a cinnamon sugar crust. The cakey, yet crispy crust is so spectacular that you won’t even need ice cream for this incredibly comforting dessert! Cobbler is a dessert that has stolen my heart. Tons of fruit tossed in a little sugar…
Read More

a sheet pan with BBQ Chicken Nachos on them and a slice of lime cut and off to the side

BBQ Chicken Nachos

appetizer· snacks· Summertime Favorites· Tailgating Recipes
June 26, 2017

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and Constellation Brands. All opinions are mine alone. The following content is intended for readers who are 21 or older. #SummertimeCerveza #CollectiveBias BBQ Chicken Nachos – Made with tortilla chips topped with BBQ chicken, Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses, fresh tomatoes, sliced red onion, and crispy bacon, these nachos are a fun…
Read More

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 74
  • 75
  • 76
  • 77
  • 78
  • …
  • 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

autumn kale salad in a blue salad bowl

Autumn Kale Salad

chicken and biscuits in a dutch oven overhead shot

Chicken and Dumplings

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

Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Sage Browned Butter

a stack of three pumpkin oatmeal cream pies on cotton napkins with a platter behind it with more pies in the background, shot from the front

Pumpkin Oatmeal Cream Pies

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

Chocolate Cinnamon Babka

overhead shot of spiced carrots on a bed of whipped feta dip

Spiced Carrots with Whipped Feta

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

 

There was a rainy afternoon when I wandered into t There was a rainy afternoon when I wandered into the kitchen with nothing but a craving, and I ended up mixing melted chocolate, warm cinnamon, and muffin batter until something magical happened. 

That’s how these Cinnamon Chocolate Muffins came to life: rich chocolate, a whisper of cinnamon spice, and a crunchy cinnamon-sugar topping that makes every bite feel like comfort.

They remind me of cozy mornings, a cup of coffee, and the kind of treat you tell yourself you deserve.

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/cinnamon-chocolate-muffins/
There’s something about the first cool morning o There’s something about the first cool morning of fall that just feels different. 🍂

You step outside, the air is crisp, the leaves have that faint earthy smell… and suddenly all you want is pumpkin spice, warm muffins, and cozy socks.

Mini Pumpkin Doughnut Muffins - They’re soft, cakey, perfectly spiced, and coated in buttery cinnamon sugar. It’s like a pumpkin doughnut met a muffin and decided to make your morning ten times better. 

The best part? They’re baked, not fried, which means you can totally justify having more than one. 

If you love fall baking, these muffins are a must-try. Whether you’re bringing them to a brunch, sharing them with family, or just sneaking one with your morning coffee, they’ll make your kitchen smell like pure happiness. 

Would you like me to send you the full recipe link directly here so you can save it for your next cozy baking day? 🍁 Just comment PUMPKIN below and I’ll send it straight to your DMs!

#minipumpkindoughnutmuffins #pumpkindessert #fallbaking #pumpkinmuffins #cinnamonsugar
There’s something about digging into a bowl of s There’s something about digging into a bowl of soup that reminds you of cozy evenings. The soft glow of the kitchen light, the aroma of buttery potatoes, cheese melting, and bacon crisping.

This loaded potato soup is all of that and more: tender chunks of potato, a rich creamy base, sharp cheddar, smoky bacon, green onions popping with flavor. It’s hearty comfort food at its finest.

It started on a night when I needed something substantial, something that felt like a hug in a bowl, and this soup answered the call.

Would you rather serve yours with an extra drizzle of melted cheese on top or let it sit so the flavors mingle?

comments “POTATO SOUP” and I'll send you a recipe.

#loadedpotatosoup #potatosouprecipes #comfortfood #soupseason #onepotmeals
There’s something about the moment you press pea There’s something about the moment you press peanut butter into soft chocolate dough. It’s like two flavors finally realizing they belong together.

I first experimented with chocolate + peanut butter cookies late one winter evening, trying to recreate that bakery magic I remembered from childhood. 

When the first batch came out warm, chewy, with that melt-in-your-mouth peanut butter swirl… I knew I had a new favorite.

These Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies are rich, indulgent, and downright comforting, perfect with a glass of milk or a cu#bakedtreats 

Comment COOKIES and I'll send you a link to the recipe. 

#chocolatepeanutbuttercookies #peanutbutterchocolate #homemadecookies #cookieoftheday #bakedtreats
Some of the best meals come from desperation—and Some of the best meals come from desperation—and this Chili Mac & Cheese was born on one of those nights. I had leftover chili and boxes of pasta, and I thought “why not combine them?”

What came out was something magical: creamy cheese sauce folding into hearty chili, elbow macaroni soaking up every bit of flavor, topped with melty cheese and baked to a golden crust. It’s comfort food squared.

This is my go-to when I want something filling, nostalgic, and totally satisfying.

Comment “MAC” and I'll send you a recipe.

#chilimacandcheese #comfortfood #onepotmeals #macandcheese #chilirecipe

Copyright © 2025 Certified Pastry Aficionado · Web Design by Viva la Violet