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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Mallorca Sweet Bread

Mallorca Sweet Bread

bread· breakfast· Easter· Holiday Favorites· pastries
February 2, 2024

Mallorca Sweet Bread – Fluffy, buttery sweet rolls covered in powder sugar. Perfect with a morning coffee! I first tried…
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Chicken a la King

Chicken a la King

chicken entrees· Easter· Holiday Favorites
November 20, 2023

Chicken a la King – Creamy chicken cooked with peas, mushrooms, and pimentos, served in a puff pastry shell. Today’s…
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Jelly Roll French Toast

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…
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Carrot Snack Cake

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…
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Mixed Berry Fool

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…
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Powdered Sugar Doughnuts

Powdered Sugar Doughnuts

doughnuts and sweet rolls· Easter· Holiday Favorites· pastries· Valentine's Day
February 12, 2023

Powdered Sugar Doughnuts – A classic, lightly spiced doughnuts is baked (not fried) and then covered in powdered sugar. This…
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Raspberry Almond Muffins

Raspberry Almond Muffins

breakfast· Easter· muffins· pastries· Valentine's Day
January 29, 2023

Raspberry Almond Muffins – Yummy breakfast muffins made with all-purpose flour and almond flour and loaded with fresh raspberries. Who…
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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

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

Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

overhead shot of cheddar crusted apple pie with lattice crust

Cheddar Crusted Apple Pie

close up of a serving bowl with sage and brown butter mashed sweet potatoes

Sage & Brown Butter Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Pumpkin Tres Leches

angled view of cup of dirt pudding

Cup of Dirt Pudding

zoomed in shot of cut up apple cider caramels

Apple Cider Caramels

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holiday favorite

overhead zoomed in shot of cranberry cookies with white chocolate drizzle

Cranberry Cookies with White Chocolate Drizzle

close up of slices of cranberry orange loaf on a serving platter

Cranberry Orange Loaf

two copper mugs filled with holiday mule drinks and a pitcher in the background

Holiday Mule

sweet potato biscuits on parchment paper with butter to the side and a cast iron pan of more biscuits in it, shot from a side angle

Sweet Potato Biscuits

a purple plate with 4 churro waffles

Churro Waffles

 

There’s nothing quite like a loaf that whispers There’s nothing quite like a loaf that whispers cozy from the first slice.

This Pumpkin Banana Bread takes my go-to banana bread and gives it a fall upgrade: pumpkin puree, warm spice notes, and that same melt-in-your-mouth banana base. Ultra moist, perfectly spiced, and still feels like Sunday baking.

The first time I tried combining banana + pumpkin, I wasn’t sure if it would work, but it does. This loaf is proof that two favorites can make magic together.

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/pumpkin-banana-bread/
There’s something magical about a doughnut that There’s something magical about a doughnut that hides a creamy surprise, and then cracks crisp sugar on top.

These Crème Brûlée Doughnuts start with a brioche-like dough, are filled with silky vanilla bean custard, dipped in icing, and finished with a hardened caramelized sugar shell. 

I first got obsessed with this kind of treat when I discovered a local doughnut shop’s version (they called it the “Dollie”). 

After months of buying them, I decided to recreate the magic at home. The trick? Chilling the dough, minding the fry temp, and torching just the right sugar layer so it shatters on your bite. 

If you had to pick, would you go for a thicker custard center or a thinner, more balanced layer?

Comment “BRÛLÉE” and I’ll DM you the full recipe + my top tips for getting that crackly sugar top just perfect.
This Mixed Berry Almond Tart is my love letter to This Mixed Berry Almond Tart is my love letter to frangipane, buttery crusts, and summer berries. Imagine biting through a crisp tart shell into a creamy almond filling, then hitting juicy raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries all in one bite.

I only discovered frangipane inspiration when watching Great British Baking Show, and I knew I had to try it at home. 

The result: a dessert that looks like it took hours, but comes together with simple steps (blind bake the crust, mix the almond cream, top with berries, bake).

Want to know my best tip? Always chill your dough before rolling and blind bake the crust. It’s the secret to a crisp, non-soggy base.

If you baked this with me, would you sprinkle powdered sugar on top or leave it plain to let the berries shine?

Comment “TART” below and I’ll DM you the full recipe + my “frangipane secrets” for extra almond flavor.
You know that moment when you reach for chips and You know that moment when you reach for chips and want all the flavor but none of the guilt?

This healthy onion dip is exactly that: creamy Greek yogurt base, deeply caramelized onions, a dash of garlic + Worcestershire, and herbs to finish. It tastes like the classic French onion dip, but lighter, brighter, and made at home.

I remember trying the jarred stuff in college. It was so heavy, with a lot of sodium, and I wished I could create a version that felt just as rich. This dip is my answer to that.

Perfect for game nights, snack plates, or just when you want something savory without overload.

👉 Would you rather dip with crunchy chips or fresh veggies?

💬 Comment “ONION DIP” below and I’ll send you the recipe + my tip for caramelizing onions to perfection.
Some recipes surprise you with how simple they are Some recipes surprise you with how simple they are, yet taste like you ordered straight from a restaurant. For me, that’s Mongolian Beef.

The first time I made it at home, I couldn’t believe how quickly it came together. Tender strips of beef are stir-fried until just golden, then tossed in a glossy sauce made with soy, garlic, ginger, and brown sugar. 

The sauce clings to every bite, caramelizing perfectly when it hits the hot pan. It’s sweet, savory, a little sticky, everything you want in a weeknight dinner.

The best part? It’s ready in under 30 minutes. No need for takeout menus or delivery waits. Just a pot of steamed rice or crispy noodles on the side, and dinner feels like a treat without the fuss.

👉 Tell me, are you team rice or team noodles when it comes to serving Mongolian Beef?

💬 Comment BEEF below, and I’ll DM you the full recipe + my secret tip for getting that perfect caramelized sauce at home.

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