25 Small-Batch Bakes for the Holidays

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

Sledding Teddies

I've been making these special holiday cookies at Christmastime for almost 30 years. They take a while but are worth it, because the teddy bears are so cute and taste delicious. —Linda Nealley of Newburgh, Maine

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

Caramel Apple Scones

A drizzle of caramel complements the apple and whole wheat flavors of these rustic-looking scones. —Arlene Cook, Bainbridge, Georgia

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

Molasses Pumpkin Pie

When our sons come home at Thanksgiving to hunt with their dad, I make this pie recipe from Grandma Fetting. We celebrate Thanksgiving in our cabin in the northwoods, a 40-year-old tradition.—Lois Fetting, Nelson, Wisconsin

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

Peppermint Lava Cakes

It never ceases to amaze to see warm chocolate pudding ooze out of the center of this tender chocolate cake. These cakes are a showstopper on a plate! Serve lava cakes with whipped cream or ice cream. —Carolyn Crotser, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Tuscan Sun Orange Cranberry Cake

This recipe came to be through much trial and error. Growing up, my family used farina flour in desserts, and I thought it would lend a nice texture to this cake. It's an old-world Italian-style cake, delicious but not too sweet. The orange-cranberry combination is perfect! —Ninette Holbrook, Orlando, Florida

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

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 it makes looks like stained glass. —Francine Bryson, Pickens, South Carolina

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

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

Cranberry Gingerbread Scones

Cranberry studded scones are perfect for a holiday brunch. The baking aroma is so welcoming, I bake these gingerbread scones as guests arrive. —Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas

Double Chocolate Scones

Chocolate lovers will adore these moist, decadent scones that won me a blue ribbon in a baking competition. They’re perfect for a tea or brunch, and the mix of cocoa and chocolate chips makes them sweet enough for dessert. —Stephanie Sorbie, Glendale, Arizona

Easy Apple Strudel

My family always loves it when I make this wonderful dessert. Old-fashioned strudel was too fattening and time-consuming, but this revised classic is just as good. It's best served warm from the oven. —Joanie Fuson, Indianapolis, Indiana

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

Rustic Caramel Apple Tart

Like an apple pie without the pan, this scrumptious tart has a crispy crust that cuts nicely and a yummy caramel topping. —Betty Fulks, Onia, Arkansas

Homemade Chocolate Shortbread

This recipe has been in my files for a long time...probably from when I first learned to bake. Any chocolate lover will like these melt-in-your-mouth cookies. I make them year-round with variations. They're even richer with a thin coat of icing or as a sandwich cookie with frosting in the middle. —Sarah Bueckert, Austin, Manitoba

Gingerbread with Lime Cream Cheese Frosting

Holiday treats should always be full of surprises, like this unusual pairing of ginger and lime flavors in a moist and tender gingerbread. —Charlene Chambers, Ormond Beach, Florida

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

Cranberry Scones with Orange Butter

My tempting cranberry scones brighten up a holiday brunch or tea. The yummy orange butter served with them is hands-down irresistible. —Joan Hallford, Fort Worth, Texas

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

Apple Dumplings with Sauce

This warm and comforting apple dumplings recipe is incredible by itself or served with ice cream. You can decorate each dumpling by cutting 1-inch leaves and a 1/2-inch stem from the leftover dough. —Robin Lendon, Cincinnati, Ohio

Caramel Crunch Apple Pie

I was raised on a small farm, the youngest of eight children and the only girl. My mom taught me how to make all kinds of pies from scratch, and this is one of my favorites. Caramels and apples are a delicious combination.