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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Pumpkin Crumb Cake_IMG_4111


November 10, 2022

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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!

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holiday favorite

two stemmed glasses of Cranberry Orange Aperol Spritz with orange slices and rosemary sprigs with cramberries rosemary and half an orange on the table underneath, shot from the front

Cranberry Orange Aperol Spritz

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I never really liked fudge... until I tried THIS D I never really liked fudge... until I tried THIS Dark Chocolate Raspberry Fudge! 

Okay guys, confession time. I used to think fudge was just meh - too sugary, kinda gritty, not chocolatey enough. But then my friend Savannah brought homemade fudge to our Christmas potluck and I ate EIGHT pieces. EIGHT! That's incredible, even for me!

So of course I had to get the recipe and make it my own. Enter: this gorgeous Dark Chocolate Raspberry Fudge! The combo of rich dark chocolate with tart raspberry swirls is absolutely HEAVENLY.

The best part? This is SO much easier than traditional fudge! No candy thermometer needed - just sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips, and homemade raspberry puree. That's it!

Swipe to see:
→ The dreamy raspberry swirl 😍
→ How creamy and smooth this fudge is
→ That gorgeous color combo
→ Tips for perfect fudge every time
→ The easy recipe breakdown

Perfect for Valentine's Day, Galentine's, or honestly just because you deserve something sweet!

Want the full recipe? 💌 Comment 'FUDGE' below and I'll send you the link!

#HomemadeFudge #ValentinesDayDessert #ChocolateRaspberry #DessertRecipes #RaspberryDessert #ValentinesDay #GalentinesDay #FudgeRecipe
This Cranberry Apple Crumble is my absolute favori This Cranberry Apple Crumble is my absolute favorite alternative to apple pie - and here's why you're gonna love it too!

First of all, let's be real... making pie is SUCH a process. Make dough, chill dough, roll out dough, make filling, create pretty top crust, bake. It's just too much, especially during the holidays! And don't even get me started on that first slice that NEVER comes out pretty. I usually keep it for myself to save the embarrassment 😅

But THIS? This is SO much easier! It's the same balance of fruit and carbs you crave in a pie but with like half the effort. Plus it's scoopable, so no messy slicing! Hallelujah!

The cranberries pair SO beautifully with the apples - I've been embracing cranberries a lot more this year and I'm so glad I did! The tart berries balance perfectly with the sweet apples and that buttery crumble topping.

A few tips that will help you:
1️⃣ Slice the apples, don't dice them - better apple to cranberry ratio
2️⃣ Fresh or frozen cranberries work! DO NOT use dried
3️⃣ Let the crumb mixture chill for at least 10 minutes so it hardens up
4️⃣ Granny Smith apples hold their texture perfectly when baked

This crumble is warm, comforting, and absolutely irresistible. The only thing that can make it better is that generous scoop of vanilla ice cream melting on top! 🤤
Perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or honestly any time you want something delicious without all the pie stress!

Want the full recipe? 💌 Comment "CRUMBLE" below and I'll send you the link!

#AppleCrumble #HolidayBaking #EasyDesserts #AppleDesserts #CranberryDessert  #DessertRecipes #ComfortFood #AppleRecipes
Okay so I need to talk to you about these Salami & Okay so I need to talk to you about these Salami & Cheese Rolls because they're basically my new obsession! 

I've been on a serious bread-making kick lately (there's just something about that smell, you know?!) and these rolls are EVERYTHING. They're kinda like stromboli but with way more bread, which honestly is exactly how I like it!

Here's what makes them SO good:
🔥 Light on the filling, HEAVY on that chewy bread
🔥 Stuffed with salami, mozzarella, and fresh basil
🔥 Topped with cherry tomatoes and rosemary
🔥 Served with a parmesan herb dipping oil that will BLOW YOUR MIND

Guys, about that dipping oil... I'm telling you right now it's NOT optional. That spicy, garlicky, herby goodness takes these rolls to a whole other level. Trust me on this!

The best part? These are surprisingly easy to make! You can even use store-bought pizza dough if you're short on time (though I give you my homemade recipe too because that fresh bread smell is unbeatable).

Perfect for game day, parties, or honestly just because it's Tuesday and you deserve something delicious!

Want the full recipe? Comment 'ROLLS' and I'll send you the link!

#SalamiCheeseRolls #HomemadeBread #BreadRecipe #Stromboli #GameDayFood #AppetizersRecipe #ItalianFood
These Strawberry White Chocolate Eclairs are WAY e These Strawberry White Chocolate Eclairs are WAY easier to make than you'd think!

I know what you're thinking - "Sharon, those look fancy and complicated!" But hear me out! Pâte à choux (that's the fancy French pastry dough) is literally just water, butter, flour, and eggs. That's IT!

I first made this dough for my white chocolate cream puffs and had SO much fun that I decided to level up with éclairs. But classic just isn't my style, so I made them STRAWBERRY WHITE CHOCOLATE! 🍓

Here's what makes these so good:
✨ Homemade strawberry pastry cream (thick, custardy, and SO pink!)
✨ Light and airy pâte à choux shells
✨ White chocolate ganache on top
✨ Dusted with freeze-dried strawberry powder
✨ Perfect for Valentine's Day, bridal showers, or anytime you want something impressive!

The filling process is actually kinda therapeutic - you just pipe the cream into each end until they're nice and full. And that white chocolate dip? Chef's kiss

Critical tips:
🎯 Keep the oven closed for the first 20 min or they'll deflate!
🎯 Use white chocolate BARS, not chips (they won't melt right)
🎯 The shells should be golden brown with NO foaming on top
🎯 Find freeze-dried strawberries in the produce or dried fruit section

These are perfect for impressing your friends, date night at home, or just treating yourself because you deserve it! The strawberry and white chocolate combo is absolutely heavenly.

Want to try them? 💌 Comment 'ECLAIRS' below and I'll send you the link to the full recipe!

#StrawberryWhiteChocolateEclairs #Eclairs #HomemadeEclairs #PateAChoux #FrenchPastry #ValentinesDayDesserts
Sliders are becoming my go-to burger and I'm SO ex Sliders are becoming my go-to burger and I'm SO excited to share these Italian Cheeseburger Sliders with you! 

Here's why you'll LOVE these:
✨ Smaller than regular burgers (less mess, more fun!)
✨ Crispy, juicy patties using the SMASH technique
✨ Balsamic caramelized onions that are SO simple but SO flavorful
✨ Fresh mozzarella + peppery arugula + Italian seasoning
✨ Adorable ciabatta rolls

The best part? These cook WAY faster than regular burgers because they're smaller! Perfect for when you're hungry NOW.

Fun fact: The colors actually match the Italian flag - red onions, green arugula, white mozzarella! How cute is that?! 

I used the smash burger technique instead of grilling and WOW. The patties get super crispy on the outside while staying juicy inside. Game. Changer.

Want the full recipe? 💌 Comment 'SLIDERS' below and I'll send you the link!

#ItalianCheeseburgerSliders #SliderRecipe #SmashBurgers #BurgerRecipe #GameDayFood #TailgatingRecipes #EasyDinner

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