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The Sweet Occasion

Learn. Bake. Enjoy.

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About

You love to bake, 

and you’re ready to take your baking skills to the next level.

Baking is done out of love to share with family and friends. You create that signature dessert for your loved ones to enjoy.  Or perhaps you just want to attempt that intimidating Parisian pastry you’ve always had your eye on.  But it can be frustrating to use up ingredients and take the time to bake, only to have a recipe not turn out the way you had hoped.

Do you love cooking without a recipe, but when you slightly alter a baking recipe, it doesn’t turn out quite right. Or perhaps you struggle with getting consistent results in your baking.  Or maybe you just don’t know where to begin. Does any of this sound familiar?

You’re in just the right place, baker!

That’s where I come in—pastry instructor at your fingertips.

I’m Maria, and I teach people how to bake in the comfort of their own kitchens.  I dig deep into recipes to share the ins and outs of what it takes to successfully execute a recipe. It’s not just what ingredients to put together and the simple methods of how to put them together, but it’s the knowledge that I provide you with to teach you the art and science of baking.

The Sweet Occasion is centered around providing the baking and pastry knowledge and tools for bakers like you to create in your kitchens successfully.

My kitchen has always been filled with the aroma of yeasted bread, chocolate cake, cinnamon rolls, or any sweet creation I’m making to share with family and loved ones. I’m known as the baker.

I have gotten so many questions about baking.  Why didn’t my cookies spread?  Why did my cake bake with a dome?  Can I use all-purpose flour instead of pastry flour? How do you make French macarons?  Do I refrigerate or leave my cake at room temperature?  And I love answering every one of them!  So I started a centralized site to help answer baking questions, your questions, and help you develop as a baker.

My Story

I’m a Midwestern gal at heart, born and raised in the oven mitt shaped state of Michigan.  I grew up in a home where family dinners were a daily ritual, summers were spent outside, and family vacations entailed long driving trips around the United States and Canada.

As a kid, I found my groove in baking.  In 4th-grade, I taught my class how to make an apple pie from scratch with a step-by-step demonstration for a book report presentation!  I became obsessed with studying recipes and testing them.  During the holidays, my mom would drive me around town so I could deliver holiday baskets of homemade baked goods to family and friends.

I always dreamed of owning a bakery.  However, when it came to college, I followed the path of pursuing a business degree.  After completing my graduate work, I entered the workforce in the hospitality industry, where I worked for several years.  Although my baking was limited during this time, my passion never ceased.

I knew in my heart—baking was in my future. 

After this realization, I said goodbye to the corporate world and graduated with a baking and pastry degree from Johnson & Wales University.  I was inspired by the creations I made both in school and while interning at a four-star resort.  Decorating cakes, creating custom decorated cookies for clients, and teaching baking classes continued to extend my resume.

And then, I met the love of my life and transitioned into the role of a full-time stay-at-home mom of three adorable (high energy!) kids.  Life is a true blessing. 

And if that wasn’t enough to keep me busy, I added The Sweet Occasion to the mix.  This is my passion project.  I do it because I want to inspire YOU. I want to share my baking knowledge with YOU. I want you to take your baking skills to new levels.

Let’s get into the kitchen and start baking!

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Meet Maria!

Professionally trained pastry chef at your fingertips. I provide the baking knowledge and tools for bakers like you to successfully create in your kitchen. Read More…

What's holiday baking without some delicious fruit What's holiday baking without some delicious fruit desserts?  I was excited to make this simple tart using @starrrachgrowers apples, basic pastry dough, and a sprinkling of sugar and butter.  These @juici_apple apples give a beautiful hue of red and have the perfect balance of sweet and tart flavor.  What's your favorite holiday apple recipe?  #EatBakeLove⁠
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#StarrRanchGrowers #JUICIOfficial #thesweetoccasion #apples #applebaking #appletart #holidaybaking #tart #bakingfromscratch #bakinglove #bakersofinstagram #bakingblog #piedough
New Peppermint Cake up on the blog! This three-la New Peppermint Cake up on the blog!  This three-layer white cake is flavored with peppermint and frosted with a white chocolate peppermint swiss meringue buttercream.  Add crushed candy canes for an extra fun holiday cake!  Recipe link in bio!⁠
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✨Pastry pro tip: To check for cake doneness, use the bounce-back test.  Gently press down on the cake.  If an indentation is left in the cake, then it needs more time.  If it bounces back, then it's fully baked.  You will also notice that the sides of the cake begin to pull away from the pan.⁠
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#peppermint #cake #whitechocolate #thesweetoccasion #cakesofinstagram #christmascake #layercake #cakelover #bakegram #madefromscratch #holidaybaking #learntobake #learnbakeenjoy #christmascakes #holidaycake #bakingblog #bakingtips #swissmeringuebuttercream #christmasdessert #christmascakedecorating⁠
Coffee Cupcakes are definitely for the coffee love Coffee Cupcakes are definitely for the coffee lover.  Made with a delicious coffee-flavored batter that’s baked to perfection and topped with a light and airy coffee buttercream.  They’re easy-to-make using staple pantry ingredients with the exception of espresso powder that is easily found at your local supermarket.  Recipe link in bio.⁠
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✨Pastry pro tip:  Use a cookie scoop to easily fill your cupcake liners.  Only fill 2/3 full to prevent the cupcakes from spilling or sinking.⁠
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#coffeelover #cupcakes #thesweetoccasion #delalloeats #coffeedaily #cupcakesofinstagram #coffeecupcakes #buttercream #coffeebuttercream #learntobake #learnbakeenjoy #sweets #bakingtips #cupcakestagram #bakersofinstagram #cupcakesdaily #cupcakesfordays #bakingfromscratch #bakinglove
Almond cream is such a versatile recipe that's per Almond cream is such a versatile recipe that's perfect for holiday baking.  It can be used for filling pastries like croissants, topping sliced brioche and baking until golden brown, or filling an unbaked tart shell, adding fruit, and baking until set.  Almond cream will become your best friend when creating impressive desserts for your family and friends.  Recipe link in bio!⁠
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✨Pastry pro tip:  If you'd like to make this cream with another nut flour, substitute half of the almond flour with your choice of nut flour.  You will still benefit from using almond flour while also using a stronger flavored nut.⁠
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#frangipane #almondcream #almond #filling #thesweetoccasion #holidaybaking #learntobake #learnbakeenjoy #bakersofinstagram #bakingblog #bakingtips #frenchpastry #frenchdesserts #pastrychef #tartfilling
⁠Looking for an easy recipe this holiday season? ⁠Looking for an easy recipe this holiday season?  Try this creamy Coconut Cheesecake made with @naturesgreatestfoods organic coconut cream.  It's a decadent and delicious dessert made with a coconut graham cracker crust.  For extra flavor and texture, top this cheesecake with toasted coconut.  Recipe link in bio.⁠
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✨Pastry pro tip:  Do not overmix your filling, as overmixing can cause your cheesecake to crack.  Only mix until all the ingredients are just combined.  Use the paddle attachment to mix your ingredients on medium-low speed to avoid beating too much air into your filling.⁠
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#coconut #coconutcheesecake #thesweetoccasion #learntobake #learnbakeenjoy #lifeofabaker #coconutcream #cheesecakes #coconutcake #toastedcoconut #grahamcracker #grahamcrackercrust #sweets #foodgram #bakegram #bakersofinstagram #cheesecakelove #cheesecakelovers⁠
The holidays are a time for lots of baking. Add c The holidays are a time for lots of baking.  Add carrot bundt cake to your list.  It's filled with a layer of cream cheese and topped with a cream cheese frosting for a delicious spiced cake that's a real crowd-pleaser.⁠
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✨Pastry pro tip:  Do not use store-bought shredded carrots, as it will affect your cake's moisture content.  They are very dry and lack sweetness compared to shredding your own carrots. ⁠
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#carrotcake #creamcheesefrosting #bakedfromscratch #lifeofabaker #bakefeed #instayummy #delish #thebakefeed #holidaybaking #holidaycake #thesweetoccasion #fromscratch #easyrecipe #bakingblog #bakersofinstagram #bakingtips #learntobake #learnbakeenjoy #scratchbaking #bakingblog #carrotbundtcake
⁠Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls are a holiday favori ⁠Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls are a holiday favorite.  They’re made with molasses and filled with a brown sugar spiced filling for a gooey and delicious winter-inspired roll.  As if these soft and fluffy rolls aren't enough, they're topped with a brown sugar cream cheese frosting for a real treat.⁠ Recipe link in bio.⁠
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⁠✨Pastry pro tip:⁠ To reheat cinnamon rolls in the microwave, place a microwave-safe cup containing water in the microwave and heat thoroughly.  Add the cinnamon rolls next to the water and heat.  The steam from the hot water will prevent the rolls from becoming too dry or too soggy.⁠
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#gingerbread #cinnamonrolls #holidaybaking ##breakfastideas #thesweetoccasion #learntobake #bakingblog #learnbakeenjoy #bakingtips #scratchbaking #bakinggoals #christmasbreakfast #holidaybreakfast #creamcheesefrosting #bakefeed #foodgram #thefeedfeed #bakegram #bakersofinstagram #lifeofabaker #scratchbaking #ilovebaking #sweets #bakinglove⁠
Holiday baking can get overwhelming. To help ⁠e Holiday baking can get overwhelming.  To help ⁠ease the stress, head on over to the blog for my tips on how to freeze cookie dough.  It's convenient to do, perfect for gifting, and allows you to get ahead for all your cookie baking.⁠ Grab these tips from the link in my profile.⁠
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✨Pastry pro tip:  For cookies that call for rolling in sugar, such as snickerdoodle cookies, prepare the dough as directed without rolling in the sugar and add it just before baking.⁠
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⁠Dessert or breakfast? Coconut rice pudding can ⁠Dessert or breakfast?  Coconut rice pudding can certainly be either.  It's a simple-one pot pudding that is creamy and perfectly tender without being mushy.  Add a bit of granola and you have a simple yet flavorful breakfast ready in no time.⁠
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✨Pastry pro tip:  When making this coconut rice pudding, do not rinse the rice.  The starchiness is key to creating a creamy and thick mixture.⁠
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Recipe link in bio!⁠
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#coconutrice #ricepudding #thesweetoccasion #learntobake #bakingblog #bakersofinstagram #bakedfromscratch #learnbakeenjoy #bakingtips #pudding #instapudding #lifeofabaker #foodgram #bakegram #onepot #lovetobake #onepot
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  • Zucchini Puff Pastry Tarts
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Meet Maria!

Professionally trained pastry chef, wife, and a mom to two. Sharing my recipes, tips & techniques so that any occasion can be a sweet occasion. Read More…

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The Latest Recipes!

Stack of brown butter cookies with toffee bits on a French wire cooling rack with milk in the backgroud.
Peppermint flavored cake with white chocolate peppermint swiss meringue buttercream on a marble round board.
Pan with frosted gingerbread flavored cinnamon rolls in a baking pan with some cinnamon rolls.

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