holiday favorite

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

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

Sour Cream Doughnuts

close up of cinnamon raisin rugelach to shot the spiral side and yummy filling

Cinnamon Raisin Rugelach

a plate of BLT benedicts on a cloth napkin with half a lemon in the background, shot from a side angle

BLT Benedict

a slice of texas sheet cake sitting on a white plate

Texas Sheet Cake

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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Classic Butter Croissants and a jar of black raspberry preserves on a baking sheet with parchment paper

Classic Butter Croissants

breakfast· Easter· pastries· Popular Recipes
September 26, 2016

Classic Butter Croissants – A classic recipe for flaky and crispy French butter croissants with step by step instructions I have some great news to share today! As you may or may not have seen on my Facebook page, I’ve been working on filming my first online course for Skillshare! Ahh! If you haven’t heard of Skillshare, here’s a quote that sums…
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molten chocolate cake with chocolate melting out the center on a plate

Molten Chocolate Cake

cake· Valentine's Day
September 22, 2016

Molten Chocolate Cake – Dense chocolate cake that has a gooey molten lava center that will make your mouth water. It’s a dessert that is sure to impress on your next date night or dinner party! Molten. Chocolate. Cake. Three words that both excite me and elicit skepticism. Let me explain. Almost every time I see this cake on a…
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Homemade Gnocchi with Pesto Cream Sauce in a bowl with another bowl of pine nuts and a wedge of parmesan and basil

Homemade Gnocchi with Pesto Cream Sauce

pizza & pasta· Popular Recipes· Valentine's Day
September 19, 2016

Homemade Gnocchi with Pesto Cream Sauce – Super fluffy homemade Italian potato dumplings (gnocchi) coated in a rich pesto cream sauce On July 3rd, 2016, my life changed forever. It was on this day that I ate one of the best meals of my life: gnocchi and pesto cream sauce. I was visiting one of my dear friends from college,…
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collage of kitchen tools and text image

Six Kitchen Tools Every Beginning Baker Needs

baking tips
September 15, 2016

*this post contains affiliate links Six Kitchen Tools Every Beginning Baker Needs – These are the tools you will most likely need if you’re starting out as a baker. In the 15 years that I’ve been baking, I have acquired almost every kitchen tool and gadget that you can think of. I’m not kidding. I have some random stuff: a…
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Strawberries & Cream Danish on a plate with strawberries around it and another plate of danish off to the side

Strawberries & Cream Danish

breakfast· Easter· pastries· Summertime Favorites· Valentine's Day
September 12, 2016

Strawberries & Cream Danish – A cream cheese danish made with puff pastry and then topped with a strawberry and a glaze made with apple jelly. It’s the best addition to any breakfast or brunch! I’ve been in such a breakfast food kick lately. I made these pumpkin doughnut muffins last week, crumb cake the week before that, and now…
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closeup of mini pumpkin doughnut muffins with one with a bite out of it

Mini Pumpkin Doughnut Muffins

breakfast· Easter· Fall Flavors· muffins
September 8, 2016

Mini Pumpkin Doughnut Muffins – Pumpkin plus cinnamon = fall in your mouth! These little muffins are the perfect size to enjoy a fall treat without all the guilt. Labor day is behind us, people. So that means…fall is heeeeeeeeeere! I definitely sang that out loud as I typed it to make sure I used the correct amount of “eeees.”…
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zoomed in shot of Nutella Macarons on a plate

Nutella Macarons

Cookies· Popular Recipes· Valentine's Day
September 5, 2016

Nutella Macarons – A classic chewy french cookie made with chocolate hazelnut spread (Nutella).  A few weeks ago, you might remember that I tried making French macarons for the first time. Well, it didn’t go exactly as planned. They tasted amazing, but they just didn’t look like traditional french macarons. I spent so much time researching proper macaron technique so I…
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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

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

Cinnamon Apple Kolaches

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

Sweet Potato Gratin

pumpkin challah bread sliced with a knife

Pumpkin Challah Bread

Cinnamon Latte Whoopie Pies

zoomed in shot of Sage & Browned Butter Hasselback Sweet Potatoes, shot from a side angle

Sage & Browned Butter Hasselback Sweet Potatoes

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

Baked Carrot Cake Oatmeal

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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
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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
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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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