Small-Batch Baking

Small-Batch Baking is how to have your cake, and eat it all too. It's baking a plate of cookies (not 4 dozen) to greet the kids when they come home from school, or a few muffins (not 12) when that's all you need for Sunday brunch. It's for the perfect tart to end a small, romantic dinner--or the indulgence of a one-bowl dessert just for you (Honey Apple Oatmeal Crisp, anyone?). Most of all, it's to bring home the joy of baking, when home is just the two of you--small batches whip up quickly, clean up quickly, and don't require hours at the oven. Written by Debby Maugans Nakos, who clearly possesses the Southern baking gene, Small-Batch Baking offers 200 irresistible recipes from across the baking spectrum: triple layer cakes, bundt cakes, angel food cakes; pies and tarts; cobblers, crisps, crumbles, and short cakes; cookies, bars, squares; biscuits, muffins, scones, breakfast breads; and a whole section just on Valentine Specials--Double Hot Chocolate Soufflés, Chèvre Cheesecakes with Honey Anise Ginger Syrup, Vanilla Banana Caramel Flan. A batch of Cream-Filled Chocolate Cookies--that yields a half-dozen. A Coconut Layer Cake, just for two. Individual servings of Cinnamon French Toast Pudding or Southern Peach Cobbler with Bourbon Cream. It's all the bewitching pleasure of home-baked, but--finally--for just one or two.

How to Bake Small Batches What you need to get started-ingredients equipment, and some Small-Batch know-how. Beautiful Small Cakes Mile-high layers, heavenly angel food, dense pound cakes, fancy roulades, geacute;noises, and tortes. Filled and frosted with fresh, rich buttercreams, glazes, icings, and drizzles. Each cake is a mini masterpiece. Pies and Tarts Peach Pie with Toffee Streusel, New-Fashioned Cherry Pie, Banana Cream Pie with Chocolate Chip Pastry, Plum tart with Oatmeal Cookie Crust-all are easy to prepare and even easier to enjoy. Cookies and Bars All your favorite cookies in small batches-Cream-Filled Chocolate, Oatmeal, Peanut butter, Chocolate Chip, and two kinds of biscotti. Plus Moist Fudgy Brownies and Cherry Macadamia Bars. Crumbly, Sweet, and Fruity Cobblers, Crisps, Crumbles, and Shortcakes Just enough for two-Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble, Fig and Hazelnut Crisp, Nectarine Blueberry Buckle, Coconut Shortcakes, a Mixed Berry Cornmeal Cobbler. And many more to tempt the palate. Baked Puddings: I'd Rather Have Them for Supper Wonderful bread puddings, warm and soothing, rich with butterscotch or mascarpone, chocolate or pecans. Also, Lemon Pudding Cakes and a Maple Pear Blueberry Hasty Pudding. Sweet and Savory Muffins and Breads Sweet breakfast and tea breads, muffins, and scones. Dinner boules and popovers, cheese bread and country-style classics. Plus a focaccia redolent with rosemary. Valentine Specials Perfect for the one you love: Cream Puffs with Coffee Ice Cream and Orange Mocha Sauce, Chocolate-Glazed Raspberry Cheesecakes, Apricot Meringue Cookie Tarts, or Pistachio Napoleons with Orange Mousse and Orange Caramel Sauce. Holiday Goodies You Can't Live Without Holiday cheer the Small-Batch way includes Brandy Caramel Pumpkin Pies, Southern Pecan Pies, Fruitcake You Will Love, Cranberry Eggnog Pudding, and an Apple Walnut Crostata, to name just a few of the delicious choices.