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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

styled shot of Turkey Noodle Soup

Turkey Noodle Soup

Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes

two mugs of Cinnamon Maple Latte topped with whipped cream and sprinkled with pecans with dunkin donuts creamer and a stack of pumpkins on top of a cloth napkin, shot from a side angle

Cinnamon Maple Latte

zoomed in shot of a bowl of sweet potato gnocchi, shot from a side angle

Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Sage Browned Butter

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

Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

apple cinnamon charlotte sitting on a plate with cinnamon sabayon sliced in half to reveal the apples in the center

Apple Cinnamon Charlotte

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

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holiday favorite

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

Cranberry Orange Loaf

close up of caramel swirl meringue on a baking sheet

Caramel Swirl Meringues

plate of pecan sticky bun

Pecan Sticky Buns

Sausage Egg & Cheese Pastry Muffins on a platter with a sprig of rosemary, shot from a side angle

Sausage, Egg, & Cheese Pastry Muffins

Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes

 

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

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