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

CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Cheese Danish

Cheese Danish

breakfast· dessert· doughnuts and sweet rolls· pastries
August 27, 2020

Cheese Danish – Sweet yeast dough is filled with cinnamon and sugar and then twisted into a round danish filled…
Read More

Bourbon Brown Sugar Bacon

Bourbon Brown Sugar Bacon

appetizer· breakfast· pork entrees· sides
June 18, 2020

Bourbon Brown Sugar Bacon – Oven-baked bacon is topped with bourbon and brown sugar to give you a yummy sweet…
Read More

Pistachio Pancakes

Pistachio Pancakes

breakfast· Easter· Fall Flavors· Holiday Favorites
June 15, 2020

Pistachio Pancakes – Buttermilk pancakes are made with ground pistachios and a hint of almond extract to make for a…
Read More

Biscuits and Gravy Casserole

Biscuits and Gravy Casserole

biscuits· breakfast casseroles· Easter
March 26, 2020

Biscuits and Gravy Casserole – Sausage gravy is cooked with biscuits on top to make a yummy casserole fit for…
Read More

Chocolate Berry Fritters

Chocolate Berry Fritters

doughnuts and sweet rolls· Holiday Favorites· pastries· Valentine's Day
February 3, 2020

Chocolate Berry Fritters – Chocolate yeast donuts are loaded with three kinds of berries and then covered in sweet icing. …
Read More

Double Chocolate Biscotti

Double Chocolate Biscotti

Cookies· dessert· Valentine's Day
December 19, 2019

Double Chocolate Biscotti – Chocolate cookies are loaded with chocolate chips and baked twice to make them extra crispy and…
Read More

Sausage, Egg, & Cheese Pastry Muffins

Sausage, Egg, & Cheese Pastry Muffins

breakfast· breakfast casseroles· Easter· Holiday Favorites
December 5, 2019

Sausage, Egg, & Cheese Pastry Muffins – Puff pastry is formed in a muffin tip and loaded with breakfast sausage,…
Read More

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • …
  • 10
  • 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

slices of Pumpkin Banana Bread on a cotton napkin with walnuts sprinkled around and bananas in the background, shot from a side angle

Pumpkin Banana Bread

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

Pistachio Loaf

close up of a slice of pumpkin crumb cake separated from the rest of the cake but not on a plate yet

Pumpkin Crumb Cake

a baking sheet with banana bread granola and a whole banana on it, shot from a side angle

Banana Bread Granola

a hand holding up a cinnamon bun soft pretzel

Cinnamon Bun Soft Pretzels

zoomed in shot of a plate of stacked chocolate gingerbread truffles with one with a bite out of it, shot from a side angle

Chocolate Gingerbread Truffles

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

holiday favorite

a plate with stacked strawberry white chocolate eclairs, shot from the front

Strawberry White Chocolate Eclairs

close up of raspberries & cream profiterole sitting on a white plate

Raspberries & Cream Profiteroles

zoomed in shot of a plate of sliced classic tiramisu with a glass dish of tiramisu in the background, shot from the front

Classic Tiramisu

close up of banana fritter with a bite removed sitting on a plate with other banana fritters

Banana Fritters

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

Pistachio Loaf

 

There is honestly nothing better than the smell of There is honestly nothing better than the smell of fresh bread filling the house, and this Rosemary Olive Oil Focaccia is my absolute favorite to bake. 🍞🌿

I used to be so intimidated by yeast, but I’ve tried this specific recipe several times now, and it is foolproof. It’s crispy on the bottom, fluffy on the inside, and those little dimples filled with olive oil are everything.

My kids love getting involved with this one. I let them help with the "dimpling" part—pressing their fingers into the dough is basically like edible playdough to them! 

Do your kids play with this type of craft? Mine are obsessed, and it’s a great way to get them excited about being in the kitchen.

Whether you’re serving it with dinner or just snacking on it warm from the oven, you have to try this.

✨ Want the recipe? Comment “BREAD” below and I’ll send the link straight to your DMs!

#focaccia #breadmaking #easyrecipes #homemadebread
If you’re a fan of dessert for breakfast, you ha If you’re a fan of dessert for breakfast, you have to try this Berries & Cream Stuffed French Toast Casserole. 

I’m usually more of a savory breakfast person, but I tried this recipe recently and it’s basically like having cheesecake for brunch. The best part? Unlike most French toast casseroles, you don’t have to let this one sit in the fridge overnight. You just assemble and pop it straight into the oven.

I actually made a batch of this while we were hanging out at home last Sunday. The house smelled incredible, and even though it looks fancy, it was so low-stress. My kids are obsessed with anything that involves berries and "dip," so this was a massive hit. Do your kids play with this type of craft? (Mine are obsessed—though their "crafting" usually involves trying to pick all the blackberries out before it hits the table!)

Want the recipe? Comment “BERRY” below and I’ll send the link straight to your DMs!

#breakfastcasserole #brunchideas #frenchtoast #easyrecipes
If you’re looking for the ultimate weeknight com If you’re looking for the ultimate weeknight comfort food, this is it. 🍝✨

I recently tried this Baked Chicken Spaghetti and it is a total game-changer. Most recipes I see are overloaded with cheese that just adds fat without flavor, but this one is different. It’s incredibly creamy and relies on a base of browned chicken bits, onions, and garlic to give it a really deep, savory taste.

The best part? It’s a one-pot meal (if your braising dish is big enough!), which makes cleanup so much faster. I’ve found that it’s the perfect way to use up any leftover chicken you might have in the fridge, too.

I’m curious—do your kids play with this type of craft? Mine are obsessed. (Wait, I mean... do your kids eat everything you put in front of them? Mine can be picky, but they absolutely inhaled this pasta!)

Want the recipe? Comment “CHICKEN” below and I’ll send the link straight to your DMs!

#bakedspaghetti #weeknightdinner #easyrecipes
If you are looking for the perfect signature drink If you are looking for the perfect signature drink for your next holiday gathering, this is it. 🥂

I’ve tried quite a few seasonal cocktails, but this Holiday Mule is a standout because it brings in those crisp flavors of apple cider and cranberry without being overly sweet. The addition of Prosecco really levels it up from a standard mule—it adds a lightness that makes it so refreshing.

I love that it’s simple enough to make in a single copper mug but looks impressive enough for a big party. I’m curious, do you have a go-to garnish for your holiday drinks? I’m personally obsessed with the rosemary and cinnamon stick combo used here; it makes the whole house smell like Christmas! 🎄

Want the recipe? Comment “MULE” below and I’ll send the link straight to your DMs!

#holidaycocktails #moscowmule #holidayhosting
These Homemade Bagels are SO good, you'll never wa These Homemade Bagels are SO good, you'll never want to toast them again!

Y'all, I tried making bagels years ago and they were... not great. But after tons of research and a second attempt, these came out PERFECT! Chewy inside, crispy shiny shell outside, and that authentic bagel flavor you crave. They're honestly better than the bagel shop!

Here's what makes them amazing:
✨ Overnight rise = maximum chewiness
✨ Barley malt syrup = that signature flavor
✨ Boiling water bath = shiny crust
✨ Pizza stone = perfect texture

The secret? It's all about the process! The dough rises slowly overnight, gets a quick bath in boiling baking soda water (just like pretzels!), then bakes on a pizza stone for that perfect crispy exterior. The result is bagel shop quality at home!

Pro tips:
🍞 Use bread flour for that chewy texture
🌙 Let them rise overnight (patience = perfection!)
🔥 Pizza stone is a game-changer
🥯 Don't skip the barley malt syrup!

The best part? Fresh bagels warm from the oven need ZERO toasting. The crust is already perfectly crispy and the inside is so soft and chewy. Spread on some cream cheese and you're in bagel heaven!

Ready to make bagel shop quality at home? Comment "BAGELS" below and I'll send the full recipe straight to your DMs! 

#homemadebagels #bagels #breadmaking

Copyright © 2026 Certified Pastry Aficionado · Web Design by Viva la Violet