Enjoy the sweet flavors of Christmas without tons of leftovers. These small-batch cookies, pies, scones and more feed just a few people.
17 Small-Batch Bakes for the Holidays
Updated Feb. 14, 2024
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Nutella Cinnamon Rolls
These jumbo Nutella cinnamon rolls will stand alone at your next brunch. Bursting with chocolate, hazelnut, espresso and cinnamon, they will please any palate and bring to mind your favorite coffee shop bakery. —Pam Ivbuls, Elkhorn, Nebraska
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Cherry Hand Pies
There's nothing better than a sweet, from-scratch delight like traditional cherry pie. These precious little hand pies always go fast when I sell them at my pie bakery! —Allison Cebulla, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Apple Scones
Flakey, moist and brimming with fall flavor, these apple scones are the ideal breakfast treat for a chilly autumn morning. Serve with a caramel drizzle over the top as the recipe calls for, or make them your own with a cinnamon-sugar sprinkle that complements the apples baked inside.
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Apple Cranberry Upside-Down Cakes
Cornmeal gives this upside-down cake a unique texture. Apples, cranberries and pecan make a delicious alternative to the typical pineapple and cherries. —Margee Berry, Trout Lake, Washington
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Tahitian Breakfast Treats
This is a healthy take on the Tahitian coconut breakfast treat called firi firi, which is typically fried. My version is baked and rolled in a spicy island sugar mix. —Sue Falk, Sterling Heights, Michigan
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Cranberry Orange Cake
This cake was inspired by Italian-style cakes and is dotted with dried cranberries and scented with oranges and almonds. A glaze provides a little sweetness and the farina flour adds texture.
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Dark Chocolate Pecan Cake
Made in a single loaf pan, this doubly good chocolate cake has a nutty praline layer and two layers of fluffy whipped cream. This is the only cake my husband really likes. —Laura Draper, Garfield, Washington
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Spiced Upside-Down Apple Pie
My grandma taught me to make this pie when I was 4. Over the years, I've kept it about the same with just a few changes. Flip it out the second it stops bubbling. The glaze makes it look especially delicious. —Francine Bryson, Pickens, South Carolina
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Jumbo Pumpkin Pecan Muffins
Perk up an autumn morning with one of these hearty muffins. You'll really enjoy the pumpkin-spice flavor and crumbly nut topping&mash;and so will everyone else! —Mrs. Janice Christofferson, Eagle River, Wisconsin
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Hot Cocoa Souffle
A friend invited me to go to a cooking demo at her church years ago, and one of the recipes prepared was this luscious souffle. It was so easy—and absolutely delicious. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
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Easy Apple Strudel
My family always loves it when I make this wonderful dessert. Old-fashioned strudel was too fattening and time-consuming, so I changed it up a bit. This revised classic is just as good as the original. It's best served warm from the oven. —Joanie Fuson, Indianapolis, Indiana
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Bourbon-Soaked Bacon and Ginger Cinnamon Rolls
This recipe is the perfect combination of savory and sweet. The bourbon-soaked bacon adds a smoky, savory, bold taste to normal cinnamon rolls. The ginger and pecan topping makes for a crunchy, spicy finish. —Shannen Casey, Berkeley, California
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Rustic Caramel Apple Tart
This apple crostata recipe has firm apple slices covered with cinnamon sugar and a drizzle of caramel topping, resting in a simple dough circle. This is a terrific dessert to make when you don't want to bother with shaping and blind-baking a pie crust.
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Chocolate Shortbread Cookies
These chocolate shortbread cookies offer a rich, buttery texture with a hint of cocoa. Easy to make, with simple pantry ingredients, these cookies are ideal for any occasion and pair wonderfully with tea, coffee, even ice cream.
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Milk Cake
This is a simple recipe—and especially easy in a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet. The result is a deliciously light, airy cake. —Suzanne Coelman, Rabun Gap, Georgia
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Li'l Pecan Pies
These tempting little tarts have all the rich traditional taste of a full-size pecan pie in a much smaller package. The tarts are perfect for two. —Christine Boitos, Livonia, Michigan
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Apple Dumplings
Nostalgic apple dumplings are a deliciously sweet, flaky and saucy dessert that may look intimidating, but you'll be surprised how easy they are to make. Festive alert: Decorate them by adhering apple leaves and stems cut from the same dough.Originally Published: October 27, 2020
