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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Goat Cheese & Honey Phyllo Triangles

Goat Cheese & Honey Phyllo Triangles

appetizer· Easter· Holiday Favorites· pastries· snacks
December 14, 2020

Goat Cheese & Honey Phyllo Triangles – Thin phyllo pastry is filled with goat cheese and honey, baked, and served…
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Blueberry Crumb Doughnuts

Blueberry Crumb Doughnuts

breakfast· doughnuts and sweet rolls· Easter
June 27, 2019

Blueberry Crumb Doughnuts – Fluffy baked doughnuts sprinkled with fresh blueberries and topped with a cinnamon sugar crumb topping Blueberry…
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Asparagus Risotto

Asparagus Risotto

Easter· Popular Recipes· sides
May 6, 2019

Asparagus Risotto – Creamy, cheesy homemade risotto is taken up a notch with the addition of crispy asparagus  Risotto is…
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Lemon Raspberry Parfaits

Lemon Raspberry Parfaits

dessert· Easter· Summertime Favorites· Valentine's Day
April 22, 2019

Lemon Raspberry Parfaits – These adorable parfaits are layered with Biscoff cookies, lemon marscapone mousse, and fresh raspberries to make…
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Banana Cream Pie Dip

Banana Cream Pie Dip

dessert· dips· Easter· pie
April 15, 2019

Banana Cream Pie Dip – Creamy, dreamy banana cream pie filling served with vanilla wafers to scoop up into a…
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Blueberry Biscuits

Blueberry Biscuits

biscuits· breakfast· doughnuts and sweet rolls· Easter· Summertime Favorites
April 8, 2019

Blueberry Biscuits – Buttermilk biscuits are loaded with blueberries and finished with sweet icing over the top Just when you thought…
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Lemon Poppyseed Scones

Lemon Poppyseed Scones

breakfast· dessert· doughnuts and sweet rolls· Easter· Summertime Favorites
April 1, 2019

Lemon Poppyseed Scones – Dense, tart, and sweet lemon scones are sprinkled with poppyseeds to give them a very slight…
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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

Pumpkin Tres Leches

front shot of sweet potato cornbread in a cast iron skillet

Sweet Potato Cornbread

a bowl of Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Bread Pudding topped with ice cream with a casserole dish with bread pudding and two pumpkins stacked on top of each other in the background, shot from a side angle

Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Bread Pudding

closeup of mini pumpkin doughnut muffins with one with a bite out of it

Mini Pumpkin Doughnut Muffins

chicken and biscuits in a dutch oven overhead shot

Chicken and Dumplings

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

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

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holiday favorite

Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies on a baking sheet with sprinkles on top

Soft, Frosted Sugar Cookies

angled shot of french almond cakes sitting on a white plate

French Almond Cakes (Financiers)

close up of sliced loaf of chocolate cinnamon babka with the center exposed to see the beautiful swirl of chocolate

Chocolate Cinnamon Babka

The Best Waffles

two chocolate cherry crepes on a plate with powdered sugar dusted on top

Chocolate Cherry Crepes

 

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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