holiday favorite

a hand holding up a maple molasses cookie to show all the detailed cracks in the top of the cookie

Maple Molasses Cookies

pint glass of pumpkin cream cold brew coffee with a metal straw

Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew

a slice of chocolate cream pie with a bite out of it on a plate with more pie in the background, shot from the front

Chocolate Cream Pie

apple cinnamon monkey bread with a chunk out of it and sliced apples in front, shot from a side angle

Apple Cinnamon Monkey Bread

Peach & Goat Cheese Crostini on a platter topped with basil and balsamic vinaigrette, shot from a side angle

Peach & Goat Cheese Crostini (+wine pairing)

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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

a purple plate with 4 churro waffles

Churro Waffles

breakfast· doughnuts and sweet rolls· Easter· Holiday Favorites
April 16, 2023

Churro Waffles – Homemade cinnamon waffles are finished off with a cinnamon sugar coating that reminds you of a theme park churro. I am on a breakfast kick and I just can’t stop myself! Breakfast seems to be the only meal I can get my kids to eat these days so I guess that’s where I’m feeling most of my…
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French toast jelly rolls stacked on a white plate with sliced bread and a jar of jam in the background

Jelly Roll French Toast

breakfast· doughnuts and sweet rolls· Easter
April 14, 2023

Jelly Roll French Toast – Pieces of white bread rolled with raspberry jam, dipped in an egg custard, grilled, and finally rolled in sugar. One of best part of cooking for kids is making the food in fun shapes. These Jelly Roll French Toast sticks do just that! And don’t think that these are just for kids – the flavor…
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two glasses of blueberry mojito with garnishes at their feet

Blueberry Mojito

drinks· Easter· Summertime Favorites
April 9, 2023

Blueberry Mojito – Crushed mint and blueberries are mixed together with rum, sugar, and lime juice and then served over ice with a few ounces of sparkling water to make a very refreshing spring or summer drink. Blueberry season is upon us – have you been blueberry picking yet?! If so, a great way to use those berries is in…
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slice of carrot snack cake on a pink plate

Carrot Snack Cake

cake· dessert· Easter· Fall Flavors
April 6, 2023

Carrot Snack Cake – A square single-layer carrot cake is topped with a homemade cream cheese and sprinkled with chopped pecans to make for an easy spring dessert. Easter isn’t the same without carrot cake. But who has the time to make a three-layer carrot cake? I sure don’t anymore. So I love making snack cakes – one layer cakes…
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mixed berry fool in a glass with a strawberry and mint garnish on top

Mixed Berry Fool

dessert· Easter· Holiday Favorites· Summertime Favorites· Valentine's Day
April 3, 2023

Mixed Berry Fool – A no-bake dessert made from sweetened smashed berries folded into fresh sweetened whipped cream. Easter is upon us so I hope you’ve got your Easter Brunch menu ready to go. If not, don’t worry! There are plenty of easy dishes here that you can add to the mix. Another wonderful dish is this Mixed Berry Fool….
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cookie dough flauta cut in half and being dipped into chocolate sauce

Cookie Dough Flautas

dessert· snacks· Valentine's Day
March 27, 2023

Cookie Dough Flautas – Flour tortillas are stuffed with cookie dough, wrapped into a fluted shape and then air fried until they are crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside. Served with a chocolate sauce. Today’s treat is one that I’ve been obsessed with ever since college. A local taco place near campus has this dessert on their…
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garlic parmesan orzo served in the center of a blue plate with olive oil and shaved parmesan

Garlic Parmesan Orzo

pizza & pasta· Valentine's Day
March 24, 2023

Garlic Parmesan Orzo – Orzo pasta is cooked in chicken broth and sauteed garlic and then finished with heavy cream and finely shaved Parmesan cheese Orzo is becoming my new favorite pasta. It’s so versatile – I love using it for pasta salads or creamy pasta dishes. I even love using in place of rice for risotto dishes. My newest…
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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

pumpkin cinnamon pull apart loaf with a center slice visable

Pumpkin Cinnamon Pull Apart Loaf

vinaigrette dressing being poured over a plate of Orchard Harvest Salad (Panera Copycat) from a glass bottle with a half and whole pair and cherry preserves in the background, shot from a side angle

Orchard Harvest Salad (Panera Copycat)

styled shot of Salted Caramel Apple Pie Parfaits with a pan of pie and a can of whipped cream behind it

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Parfaits

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

a slice of peach upside down cake on a white plate with the rest of the cake in the background

Peach Upside-down Cake

Twice Baked 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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