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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Bourbon Peach Smash

Bourbon Peach Smash

drinks· Summertime Favorites· Tailgating Recipes
August 14, 2023

Bourbon Peach Smash – Fresh peaches are smashed with mint leaves, bourbon whiskey, and a little honey and then served…
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Mint Chocolate Fudge Cookies

Mint Chocolate Fudge Cookies

Cookies· dessert· Easter· Holiday Favorites
March 2, 2023

Mint Chocolate Fudge Cookies – Chewy chocolate cookies are topped with a thin layer of mint buttercream and a dollop…
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Mint Cookie Ice Cream Cake

Mint Cookie Ice Cream Cake

cake· ice cream· National Ice Cream Month· Summertime Favorites
July 26, 2021

Mint Cookie Ice Cream Cake – This delicious ice cream cake is assembled with mint chocolate chip ice cream, buttery…
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Watermelon Mint Sorbet

Watermelon Mint Sorbet

dessert· ice cream· National Ice Cream Month· Summertime Favorites
July 23, 2020

Watermelon Mint Sorbet – Refreshing sorbet made with real watermelon, fresh mint, and a hint of lime juice. July is…
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Mojito Sorbet

Mojito Sorbet

ice cream· National Ice Cream Month· Summertime Favorites
July 9, 2020

Mojito Sorbet – Refreshing sorbet made with mint syrup, fresh lime juice, and a hint of rum And the ice…
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Cucumber Pineapple Gin Refresher

Cucumber Pineapple Gin Refresher

drinks· Summertime Favorites
June 13, 2019

Cucumber Pineapple Gin Refresher – Cucumber, pineapple, and mint are muddled together and added to homemade cucumber syrup, fresh lime…
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Mint Cookie Ice Cream

Mint Cookie Ice Cream

dessert· ice cream· National Ice Cream Month· Summertime Favorites
July 26, 2018

Mint Cookie Ice Cream – Fresh mint ice cream is loaded with crushed Oreo cookies and swirls of fudge to make…
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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 Salted Caramel Apple Pie Parfaits with a pan of pie and a can of whipped cream behind it

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Parfaits

front shot of sweet potato cornbread in a cast iron skillet

Sweet Potato Cornbread

Apple Pie Cake

styled shot of Turkey Noodle Soup

Turkey Noodle Soup

a slice of peach upside down cake on a white plate with the rest of the cake in the background

Peach Upside-down Cake

carrot raisin muffins stacked on top of each other and sitting on a purple plate

Carrot Raisin Muffins

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

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holiday favorite

Red Velvet Macarons - A classic french cookie made with a red velvet cookie and cream cheese filling. A elegant little dessert perfect for bridal showers and tea parties!

Red Velvet Macarons

a slice of cinnamon swirl doughnut bread with a fork cutting it in with the other half of the bread next to it on a piece of parchment paper and a cloth napkin, shot from a side angle

Cinnamon Swirl Doughnut Loaf

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

Apple Cinnamon Monkey Bread

two bowls of goat cheese sweet corn grits with a spoon in it on a cotton napkin with corn cobs next to it, shot from overhead

Goat Cheese & Sweet Corn Grits

Peppermint Shortbread Bites

 

Garlic Parmesan Orzo – orzo pasta cooked in chic Garlic Parmesan Orzo – orzo pasta cooked in chicken broth with sautéed garlic, finished with heavy cream and finely shaved Parmesan!

Orzo is becoming my new favorite pasta, you guys! It's SO versatile! This garlic parmesan version is creamy, garlicky, and ready in just 20 minutes! Perfect for busy weeknights!

The secret? Cooking the orzo in chicken broth instead of water deepens the flavor SO much. Plus adding the Parmesan slowly ensures it melts smoothly!
Pro tip: Once it cools, the sauce thickens – just add a little milk when reheating to loosen it up!

Perfect as a side dish OR main course! Pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, steak, or roasted vegetables! 

💬 Comment "ORZO" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for weeknight dinners
📤 SHARE with someone who loves pasta!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/garlic-parmesan-orzo/

#OrzoRecipes #PastaRecipes #EasyDinner #CreamyPasta #GarlicParmesan #OnePanMeal #QuickDinner #PastaSide #DinnerIdeas #EasyRecipes #ItalianFood #ComfortFood
Cookie Dough Flautas – chocolate chip cookie dou Cookie Dough Flautas – chocolate chip cookie dough wrapped in flour tortillas, air fried until crispy outside and gooey inside, served with chocolate sauce!

I've been OBSESSED with these since college, you guys! A local taco place made them and I was hooked! Now that I have an air fryer, there's no excuse not to make them at home – and they're SO EASY!

The secret? Chill them for an hour before air frying so they hold their shape perfectly. The result? Crispy, fluffy flautas with lava-like cookie dough in the center!
Pro tip: Let them cool for 5-10 minutes before eating – that cookie dough turns into LAVA in the air fryer!

Perfect for dessert night, parties, taco night twist, or anytime you want something FUN and different! 

💬 Comment "FLAUTAS" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for your next air fryer dessert
📤 SHARE with someone who loves cookie dough!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/cookie-dough-flautas/ 
#CookieDoughFlautas #AirFryerDesserts #CookieDough #AirFryerRecipes #EasyDesserts #CookieDoughRecipes #ChocolateChipCookieDough #QuickDesserts
The Best Waffles – buttery, sweet waffles with c The Best Waffles – buttery, sweet waffles with crispy exteriors and fluffy interiors made from scratch!

I'm team waffles over pancakes ALL the way, you guys! Those syrup-holding nooks? The crispy-fluffy texture balance? Pure perfection! These are SO much better than frozen Eggos! 

The secret? Whipped egg whites folded into the batter make them incredibly light and fluffy. Plus MORE sugar and butter than pancake batter = that crispy exterior!
Pro tip: Make sure your waffle iron is fully preheated before adding batter – this is KEY for crispy waffles!

Perfect for weekend breakfast, holiday brunch, or anytime you want breakfast to feel special!

💬 Comment "WAFFLES" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for your next brunch
📤 SHARE with someone who loves waffles!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/the-best-waffles/

#HomemadeWaffles #WaffleRecipe #BreakfastRecipes #BrunchIdeas #WeekendBreakfast #WaffleLover #BrunchRecipes #HomemadeBreakfast
Dark Chocolate Caramel Cupcakes – rich dark choc Dark Chocolate Caramel Cupcakes – rich dark chocolate cupcakes with salted caramel filling, dark chocolate frosting, caramel drizzle, and flaky sea salt!

Chocolate + caramel doesn't get enough praise, you guys! This combo deserves WAY more love! These cupcakes are RICH, decadent, and perfectly balanced by that salted caramel center and drizzle!

The secret? Hot coffee in the batter deepens the chocolate flavor without any coffee taste. Plus homemade salted caramel is easier than you think!
Pro tip: Watch your caramel closely - it can burn in seconds! And use flaky sea salt (like Maldon) for the best finish!

Perfect for birthdays, celebrations, dessert parties, or anytime you need to impress chocolate lovers!

💬 Comment "CARAMEL" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for your next baking day
📤 SHARE with someone who loves chocolate!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/dark-chocolate-caramel-cupcakes/

#DarkChocolateCupcakes #CaramelCupcakes #ChocolateDesserts #SaltedCaramel #HomemadeCupcakes #CupcakeRecipes
Lemon Blueberry Shortcakes – buttery, flaky shor Lemon Blueberry Shortcakes – buttery, flaky shortcakes with lemon zest, topped with fresh whipped cream and sweet blueberries tossed in lemon juice!

Strawberry shortcakes are great, but blueberries deserve their moment too! These are SO much better, you guys! The lemon zest in the shortcake + fresh lemon juice on the berries = the perfect spring dessert! 

The secret? A folding technique (roll, fold, turn, repeat 5x) gives you those gorgeous flaky layers. Plus sour cream in the whipped cream adds the BEST tangy flavor!

Pro tip: Let the shortcakes cool to room temp before assembling or the whipped cream will melt everywhere!

Perfect for Easter brunch, Mother's Day, tea parties, or anytime you need an elegant spring dessert! 🌸

💬 Comment "LEMON" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for spring entertaining
📤 SHARE with someone who loves blueberries

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/lemon-blueberry-shortcakes

#LemonBlueberryShortcakes #Shortcakes #BlueberryDessert #SpringDesserts #EasterDessert #LemonDesserts #HomemadeBiscuits #BlueberryRecipes #BrunchDessert #SpringBaking  #MothersDayDessert

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