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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Bacon & Blue Cheese Deviled Eggs

Bacon & Blue Cheese Deviled Eggs

appetizer· Easter· Summertime Favorites
March 25, 2019

Bacon & Blue Cheese Deviled Eggs – Classic deviled eggs are taken to another level with the addition of blue…
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Lavender Vanilla Lemon Bars

Lavender Vanilla Lemon Bars

dessert· Easter· Summertime Favorites
March 18, 2019

Lavender Vanilla Lemon Bars – Tart & gooey lemon bars flavored with a hint of lavender and vanilla bean St….
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Banana Nut Cinnamon Rolls

Banana Nut Cinnamon Rolls

breakfast· doughnuts and sweet rolls· Easter
April 9, 2018

Banana Nut Cinnamon Rolls – Fluffy homemade cinnamon rolls are filled with the perfect mixture of sliced bananas, brown sugar,…
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Ham & Cheese Biscuits

Ham & Cheese Biscuits

biscuits· bread· breakfast· Easter
March 22, 2018

Ham & Cheese Biscuits – Buttermilk biscuits are loaded with ham & cheese and baked until they come out slightly crispy,…
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Cookie Dough Easter Eggs with M&M’S®

Cookie Dough Easter Eggs with M&M’S®

candy· Easter
February 22, 2018

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser, Mars Wrigley Confectionery US, LLC. All opinions are…
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Almond Croissants

Almond Croissants

breakfast· Easter· Holiday Favorites· pastries
February 19, 2018

Almond Croissants – Store-bought butter croissants are transformed into rich, flavorful almond croissants with the addition of almond syrup and almond…
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30 Irresistible Springtime Sweets

30 Irresistible Springtime Sweets

Easter· round-up
April 6, 2017

Easter is next week, people! Next. Week. Are you panicking yet?? Have no fear! I am here to help you…
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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

zoomed in shot of cut up apple cider caramels

Apple Cider Caramels

a slice of chocolate pecan pie on a plate with another plate of pie in the background, shot from a side angle

Chocolate Pecan Pie

Cinnamon Latte Whoopie Pies

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

Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Sage Browned Butter

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

apple cinnamon monkey bread with a chunk out of it and sliced apples in front, shot from a side angle

Apple Cinnamon Monkey Bread

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

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holiday favorite

Candied Pecans

Sweet Corn Risotto with Crispy Shrimp - Creamy, cheesy homemade risotto is taken up a notch with fresh sweet yellow corn and paired perfect with SeaPak Butterfly Shrimp and Clos du Bois Chardonnay.

Sweet Corn Risotto with Crispy Shrimp (+ wine pairing)

a glass dish with bacon corn casserole with half scooped out and a wooden spoon in it, shot from a side angle

Bacon Corn Casserole

brooklyn blackout cupcakes

Brooklyn Blackout Cupcakes

close up of a mint chocolate fudge cookie surrounded by chocolate chips

Mint Chocolate Fudge Cookies

 

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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