I've been looking for this book for years; I just didn't know it. When I have a chocolate craving, I want a brownie or two, not an entire pan. That's the exact idea behind Small-Batch Baking by Debby Maugans Nakos, a book I recently discovered at my library. We're talking miniature cakes that fit into your palm, a pair of tarts, or batches of 3 brownies.
In the Kitchen
I don't believe it's possible to review a cookbook without creating at least one recipe. For this post, I chose "JK's Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies" because I already had the ingredients. Plus, I know how to make a regular-sized batch of cookies, so I could easily compare the recipes.
My first attempt had some problems:
1. I learned I did not own an 1/8 teaspoon, so I had to guess for the baking soda, which is never a smart idea in baking.
2. The recipe called for less than one full egg. I overshot the tablespoon completely and managed to put most of the egg into the dough. A "do-over" wasn't possible.
The cookies turned out large, flat, and extremely crispy. Not the best. I would have tossed them out, but they were rescued (and eaten) by someone who believes that the worst chocolate chip cookie is still, well, a chocolate chip cookie.
My second attempt went much more smoothly. I bought a 1/8 teaspoon and I used egg substitute, rather than a real egg, which was much easier to measure. The only flaw this time around was that I didn't follow the suggested serving size. I managed to make 13 cookies, even though the recipe said it made six. As you can see from the photo, these are "regular-sized" cookies. The batches are small, but the portions are normal-sized. This second batch was chewy and delicious. I did use mini chocolate chips rather than the regular-sized ones since those seem to give you more chocolate per bite.
The one downside to this book is that you may need to invest is some smaller pans or equipment. However, the author does share a clever idea of baking cakes in clean cans, which is a nice way to recycle. There also may be some leftover ingredients when making such small batches. The cookies, for example, only required 1/2 cup of chocolate chips, not an entire bag. Now I'll be forced to eat use those up.
You'll Enjoy This Book If:
- You avoid baking because you don't want to deal with leftovers. Once I started working at home, I stopped baking for this very reason.
- You want to bake with your kids, but they have short attention spans and drift away after the first batch of cookies is in the oven.
- You like desserts that no one else in your family likes. (I was excited to learn that I could make a pair of gingerbread men, since no one I know likes those except me.)
- You want to try an exotic, new-to-you dessert such as tiramisu, baklava, crème brulée, but feel intimidated by the full-size recipes.
- You want to create special gifts for people: biscotti to share with a friend, a small loaf of bread for a romantic dinner for two, a tiny birthday cake for your co-worker.
This wonderful book lets you have your cake and eat it, too—every bite, if you wish. Enjoy!