Holiday Gift Ideas -- Petite Treats: Your Favorite Desserts -- Bite-Size! by Morgan Greenseth and Christy Beaver (Review)

Dec. 2012
$14.95
978-1-61243-111-6
Trade Paper
6x6
143 pages
Pre-order now at Amazon for only $14.95.


Synopsis:

"An irresistible collection of delicious, adorable, bite-size sweets sure to charm family and friends

For hip bakers looking to dazzle guests, nothing beats the small treats found in this handy volume. From mini fruit scones at brunch and bite-size pies after dinner to decorative cake pops for parties and tiny tortes for tea time, these handheld desserts are sinfully delicious. In Teensy Treats and Baked Bites, the founders of the Seattle-based Mini Empire Bakery show readers how to miniaturize everyone’s favorite desserts, creating impressive, reduced-guilt treats that guarantee sweet satisfaction for every palate and dietary concern. Sharing favorite recipes for mini bourbon pecan pies, “tiraminiscule” cups, and diminutive croissants, Morgan Greenseth and Christy Beaver show that indulgence can be sensibly portioned. Featuring appetizing full-color photos, handy decorating and presentation tips, and straightforward instructions, this adorable little book contains a broad spectrum of desserts perfect for holidays, birthdays, cocktail parties, or simple afternoon snacks."



My Thoughts:

Who can resist dessert?  And, when you see your favorite cakes and pies turned into mini desserts, how can you stop at just one?  Well, as a chocolate lover and foodie, I love visiting local bakeries and sweet shops and sampling their mini desserts.  Instead of buying one large cupcake, pie or other decadent dessert that I will regret after eating, I don't feel as guilty after eating 1-2 smaller versions of them. Call me crazy, but they just taste better when made on a smaller scale.

And, with this upcoming cookbook release from Ulysses Press, fans of mini desserts will rejoice when they flip through this book filled with recipes and yummy looking photos of petite treats. Some easy to make recipes include morning glory muffins, Vegan sprinkled donuts, cranberry orange rolls (which I made for Thanksgiving this year, and were a huge hit) and apple pie cookies (which I am dying to try this weekend).  Just make sure you are not working off of an empty stomach when flipping through this mini cookbook, as the photos and names of each petite treat will make your mouth water and get you hungry.

Like I said, i made the cranberry orange rolls, which reminded me of sticky cinnamon buns, but with cranberries and orange zest, and they were a huge hit.  I wish you could spell how good the house smelled as these petite treats baked in the oven.  You can serve these rolls as a breakfast, or like I did for dessert.  Either way, they will be gobbled up -- good luck with leftovers....we didn't have any.

With the apple pie cookies and a few other mini dessert recipes flagged to try, I can't wait to get back into the kitchen this weekend and bake.  If you love baking or know someone who does, this would make for a great gift idea this upcoming holiday season.  I have had it on my coffee table, and everyone who visits can't help but pick it up and flip through out -- only to ask to copy down a few recipes to try on their own. :-)

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book by the publisher in order to write up an honest review.  The views above are mine and mine alone.