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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Pistachio Loaf

Pistachio Loaf

bread· breakfast· cake· dessert· Easter· Fall Flavors· Holiday Favorites· pastries· snacks
January 15, 2023

Pistachio Loaf – Real pistachios are ground and added to olive oil, eggs, sugar, flour, and a hint of almond…
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Greek Pasta Salad

Greek Pasta Salad

appetizer· Easter· pizza & pasta· salad· sides
January 1, 2023

Greek Pasta Salad – Orzo pasta is tossed with Greek dressing, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, garbanzo beans, cucumbers and feta cheese,…
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Blackberry Doughnut Cake

Blackberry Doughnut Cake

breakfast· cake· doughnuts and sweet rolls· Easter· Holiday Favorites· pastries
November 27, 2022

Blackberry Doughnut Cake – A dense coffee cake with a hint of nutmeg, filled with blackberry preserves, and covered in…
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Whipped Feta with Roasted Balsamic Strawberries

Whipped Feta with Roasted Balsamic Strawberries

dips· Easter· Summertime Favorites
April 21, 2022

Whipped Feta with Roasted Balsamic Strawberries – Smooth, whipped feta dip is topped with juicy, roasted balsamic strawberries and served…
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Caramel Swirl Meringues

Caramel Swirl Meringues

candy· Cookies· Easter· Holiday Favorites· Valentine's Day
April 18, 2022

Caramel Swirl Meringues – Freshly whipped meringues are swirled with caramel sauce and then baked until perfectly crisp on the…
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Cherry Bran Muffins

Cherry Bran Muffins

Easter· muffins· snacks
April 7, 2022

Cherry Bran Muffins – Hearty bran muffins are loaded with dried cherries to make for a yummy (and healthy!) breakfast….
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Cranberry Orange Overnight Oats

Cranberry Orange Overnight Oats

breakfast· Easter· Summertime Favorites
February 21, 2022

Cranberry Orange Overnight Oats – Rolled oats and chia seeds are soaked in milk, vanilla Greek yogurt, orange zest, and…
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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

chicken and biscuits in a dutch oven overhead shot

Chicken and Dumplings

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

Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew

slices of iced pumpkin scones drizzled with frosting on a wire rack on top of parchment paper, shot from overhead

Iced Pumpkin Scones

overhead shot of Parmesan & Thyme Potatoes Au Gratin in a baking dish

Parmesan & Thyme Potatoes Au Gratin

a stack of Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies and individual cookies on a sheet pan with chocolate chips around them and a stack of pumpkins in the background, shot from a side angle

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

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

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

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holiday favorite

overhead shot of slices of pear coffee cake

Pear Coffee Cake

Pigs in a Blanket Wreath on parchment paper with thyme sprigs and a dish of dipping sauce in the center with cans of dr pepper and plates in the background, shot from a side angle

Pigs in a Blanket Wreath

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

The Best Waffles

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

 

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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