Small-Batch Baking

I love these two dessert cookbooks by Debbie because they are simple and allow me to eat desserts without having piles of leftovers that you eat and don’t need or that go to waste. This would be the perfect book to go buy or borrow from the library to make some yummy dessert!

Like many people in one- or two-person households, I simply don't need 48 chocolate chip cookies, an entire lemon meringue pie, or even 8 creme brulees. If you prefer not to make large batches and freeze them, or you haven't had good results making fractions of a traditional recipe, you will love this book. All recipes make 2-3 servings, are very easy to follow, and (so far) turn out superb results. The instructions are clear and precise, and she introduces most recipes with a description of the results or a note about the recipe's history. There are call-out boxes for filling suggestions, sauces, or recipe tips. The chapters are logical and well-organized. After the initial introduction where the author lays or ingredient/equipment lists, the chapters are: Beautiful Small Cakes; Pies and Tarts; Cookies and Bars; Cobblers, Crisps, Crumbles, and Shortcakes; Baked Puddings; and Muffins and Breads. After these groupings, the author has given us two bonus (in my opinion) chapters: Valentine Specials and Holiday Goodies. So far, I've made mini loaf-bread, a small pie, and incredible chocolate ganache cakes. The latter actually could serve 4 instead of 2, it was so rich -- but I was very happy to eat my "one" serving (and the recipe looked easy to halve -- just make one cake instead of two). If I HAD to come up with things to "fix" in this cookbook, I'd ask for photos of the finished recipes. I'd also prefer that recipes not be split across two pages -- it makes reading ahead with sticky fingers a little difficult. But all in all, this will continue to be one of my best-loved cookbooks. Update October 2008: This is still one of my most-used cookbooks, and I've referred several friends to it. Friends have actually started seeking out single-serving baking pans as soon as they see the results. I've tried several breads, cakes, and cookies without a single disappointing recipe, and now make the pound cake and banana bread at least once a month each. Love it!

I love baking, and have ever since before I even entered High School. I love baking cookies and cakes, but now that I am older, and have to watch my weight, I have found myself baking less and less. But this book may just be my salvation! This book is a collection of recipes designed to make sweets of just two or three servings! My favorite is the mini-cakes, baked in 14.5 ounce cans! The book begins with an introduction to small batch baking, and then goes into the wonderful recipes. There are sections on cakes (my favorites!); pies and tarts; cookies and bars; cobblers, crisps, crumbles and shortcakes; puddings; muffins and breads; valentine specials; and holiday specials. Each recipe has a list of ingredients, the pan(s) required, wonderful step-by-step instructions, and any important notes. This is a wonderful cookbook, the most exciting one I have seen in a long time! So far, my wife and I have made the Chocolate Birthday Cake (p.16), and the Fudgy Mocha Layer Cake (p.25), and we look forward to using this book a lot! We love this wonderful book, and we both highly recommend it to you. Enjoy!

Okay, so I love to bake. Unfortunately, there are only two people in my household and both of us have, um, "portion control problems". Since most of my favorite cookie recipes yield several dozen and making just PART of a cake is nearly impossible, my boyfriend and I often end up eating way more than we actually want. Sometimes I'll try to pass off my baked goods to co-workers, but (and I'm being painfully honest here) I usually polish off the batch myself in less than 3 days. I know all that sugar is no good for me, but I can't imagine not having cakes and cookies once in a while. Life's too short to cut out something I enjoy so much! When I came across this book, it was like I stumbled across a puzzle piece I hadn't noticed was missing. The cake recipes make single or double servings! The cookie recipies make less than a dozen! I've tried cutting regular recipes in half, but the results are never quite right. With this book, you're measuring ingredients in tablespoons instead cups, and the two recipes I've tried have turned out beautifully. The peanut butter cookie recipe made 8 perfect cookies and tonight I tried a recipe for two giant oatmeal cookies. Perfect again. I can't wait to try to make the small cakes, little breads and even a baby Baklava! I expect that this book will change the way I bake forever. It's nice to make a dessert that I can enjoy without feeling like a jerk for enjoying way too much of it.