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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

guac pic 3


August 4, 2016

guacamole with tortilla chips

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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

a cinnamon stick being dipped into a mug of mulled wine with another mug of mulled wine and a glass dish of mulled spices in the background, shot from a side angle

Slow Cooker Mulled Wine

close up angle of pumpkin cinnamon roll pancakes stacked on a white plate

Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

close up pork chops on a plate with Dijon apple pan sauce on top and a rosemary garnish

Dijon Apple Pork Chops

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Pistachio Loaf

oatmeal rolls sitting on a baking sheet

Oatmeal Dinner Rolls

plate of pecan sticky bun

Pecan Sticky Buns

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holiday favorite

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

Cinnamon Apple Kolaches

a cinnamon stick being dipped into a mug of mulled wine with another mug of mulled wine and a glass dish of mulled spices in the background, shot from a side angle

Slow Cooker Mulled Wine

overhead shot of Cinnamon Roll Wreath

Cinnamon Roll Wreath

a bowl of Butterscotch Vanilla Bean Sauce with a spoon in it and a bowl of brown sugar with a spoon in it on a cloth napkin, shot from a side angle

Butterscotch Vanilla Bean Sauce

close up of caramel swirl meringue on a baking sheet

Caramel Swirl Meringues

 

Lemon Blueberry Shortcakes – buttery, flaky shor Lemon Blueberry Shortcakes – buttery, flaky shortcakes with lemon zest, topped with fresh whipped cream and sweet blueberries tossed in lemon juice!

Strawberry shortcakes are great, but blueberries deserve their moment too! These are SO much better, you guys! The lemon zest in the shortcake + fresh lemon juice on the berries = the perfect spring dessert! 

The secret? A folding technique (roll, fold, turn, repeat 5x) gives you those gorgeous flaky layers. Plus sour cream in the whipped cream adds the BEST tangy flavor!

Pro tip: Let the shortcakes cool to room temp before assembling or the whipped cream will melt everywhere!

Perfect for Easter brunch, Mother's Day, tea parties, or anytime you need an elegant spring dessert! 🌸

💬 Comment "LEMON" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for spring entertaining
📤 SHARE with someone who loves blueberries

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/lemon-blueberry-shortcakes

#LemonBlueberryShortcakes #Shortcakes #BlueberryDessert #SpringDesserts #EasterDessert #LemonDesserts #HomemadeBiscuits #BlueberryRecipes #BrunchDessert #SpringBaking  #MothersDayDessert
Blackberry & Rosemary Pork Tenderloin – marinate Blackberry & Rosemary Pork Tenderloin – marinated in a sweet blackberry & rosemary sauce, grilled to perfection, and drizzled with a thick blackberry glaze!

This is our go-to weeknight pork recipe elevated for date night or entertaining! The combination of sweet blackberries + earthy rosemary + that char from the grill? Chef's kiss

The secret? My husband's foolproof 7-6-5 grilling method – 7 minutes on side 1, 6 minutes on side 2, then 5 minutes with the lid closed (grill off). Perfect every time!
Pro tip: Don't skip that sauce! It takes the flavor to the next level and uses the reserved marinade!

Perfect for summer grilling, date night dinners, or impressing dinner guests! Pairs beautifully with Chardonnay or Cabernet! 

💬 Comment "BLACKBERRY" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for your next special dinner
📤 SHARE with someone who loves grilling!

#BlackberryPork #PorkTenderloin #GrilledPork #FreshBlackberries #GrillingRecipes #PorkRecipes #ElegantDinner #WinePairing #SummerDinner #DinnerIdeas
Raspberry Toaster Strudel Copycat – store-bought Raspberry Toaster Strudel Copycat – store-bought puff pastry filled with raspberry jam, baked golden, and drizzled with vanilla icing!

This semi-homemade version is SO much better than the frozen box, you guys! Flaky puff pastry + sweet raspberry filling + that classic icing drizzle = breakfast perfection! And it only takes 30 minutes! 

The secret? Mix cornstarch into the jam so it doesn't bubble out while baking. Total game-changer

Pro tip: Don't skip the egg wash – it gives you that gorgeous golden brown color and beautiful shine!

Perfect for weekend brunch, easy breakfast treats, or recreating childhood nostalgia with a homemade twist! 

💬 Comment "STRUDEL" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for your next brunch
📤 SHARE with your toaster strudel fans!

#ToasterStrudel #RaspberryToasterStrudel #HomemadeToasterStrudel #CopycatRecipe #PuffPastry #EasyBreakfast #BrunchRecipes
Funfetti Sugar Cookies – soft inside with crunch Funfetti Sugar Cookies – soft inside with crunchy edges, rolled in colorful sprinkles and flavored with a hint of almond extract! 🌈🍪

I was never a sugar cookie person until I discovered the magic of SPRINKLES! These cookies taste just like funfetti cake but in cookie form. They're made with butter AND cream cheese for the softest texture ever! 

The secret? Food processor method with cold butter = NO CHILLING REQUIRED! You can make these and bake them immediately!

Pro tip: Use "ice cream sprinkles" (jimmies) instead of those little ball sprinkles – way better texture!

Perfect for birthday parties, celebrations, after-school snacks, or anytime you need a pop of color and happiness! 🎉

💬 Comment "FUNFETTI" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for your next party
📤 SHARE with your sprinkle-loving friends!

#FunfettiSugarcookies #SprinkleCookies #ConfettiCookies #SugarCookies #BirthdayTreats #PartyCookies #ColorfulCookies #HomemadeCookies #CookieRecipes #BakingWithKids #FunfettiRecipes #SoftCookies
Nutella Pull-Apart Muffins – homemade yeast doug Nutella Pull-Apart Muffins – homemade yeast dough layered with Nutella and baked into individual pull-apart muffins with a cinnamon glaze! 

Nutella and I are becoming GOOD friends, you guys! These pull-apart muffins are inspired by chocolate babka but way more fun to eat. Each muffin has 4 layers of dough stacked with Nutella in between – when you pull them apart, it's pure HEAVEN! 

The soft, fluffy yeast dough + creamy Nutella + sweet cinnamon glaze = the most impressive breakfast treat ever!

Pro tip: Microwave the Nutella for 15 seconds before spreading – it makes it SO much easier to work with!

Perfect for weekend brunch, special occasions, or anytime you want to impress! Fair warning: your hands WILL get covered in Nutella, but it's totally worth it! 

💬 Comment "NUTELLA" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for your next baking adventure
📤 SHARE with someone who loves Nutella!

#NutellaPullApartMuffins #NutellaMuffins #BrunchRecipes #NutellaRecipes #HomemadeMuffins #WeekendBaking #BreakfastTreats #ChocolateBread #NutellaLovers

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