Debby Maugans Nakos writes a monthly column for Birmingham Magazine and is former food editor of Creative Ideas for Living magazine. Her articles have also appeared in Bon App�tit and Food & Wine, and she developed the recipes for Fannie Flagg's popular Whistle Stop Caf� Cookbook. She lives in Birmingham, Alabama, with her husband and two daughters, who draw straws to see who gets to taste test the small-batch recipes.
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.