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Small Batch Bakes: Baking cakes, cookies, bars and buns for one to six people
Accessible, easy baking for singles, small households, students or anyone who likes to bake a lot
Baking recipes typically serve large groups of people, perfect for a party, a celebration, a crowd. But what about when you just want one cookie and you don’t want to spend the money on making a big batch, or don’t have the people to share them with? Sometimes you just don’t want to be faced with leftovers you need to eat for the rest of the week.
Enter Small Batch Bakes , great for singles, small households, students or anyone who likes to bake a lot. The recipes serve one, two, four or six and are predominately sweet but also include savory varieties that would be perfect for a lunch or impromptu picnic. The skill level is naturally on the easier side, and equipment needed kept to a minimum, something that will be welcomed by many people baking just for themselves.
"The lone-dweller, in need of the balm that only a freshly baked biscuit can provide, is faced with a most unsatisfactory do without or make a batch big enough to keep a huge hungry household happy." - Nigella Lawson, Cook, Eat, Repeat
Baking recipes typically serve large groups of people, perfect for a party, a celebration, a crowd. But what about when you just want one cookie and you don’t want to spend the money on making a big batch, or don’t have the people to share them with? Sometimes you just don’t want to be faced with leftovers you need to eat for the rest of the week.
Enter Small Batch Bakes , great for singles, small households, students or anyone who likes to bake a lot. The recipes serve one, two, four or six and are predominately sweet but also include savory varieties that would be perfect for a lunch or impromptu picnic. The skill level is naturally on the easier side, and equipment needed kept to a minimum, something that will be welcomed by many people baking just for themselves.
"The lone-dweller, in need of the balm that only a freshly baked biscuit can provide, is faced with a most unsatisfactory do without or make a batch big enough to keep a huge hungry household happy." - Nigella Lawson, Cook, Eat, Repeat
176 pages, Hardcover
Published October 4, 2022
278 people are currently reading
388 people want to read
About the author
Edd Kimber
21 books24 followersEdd Kimber is a baker, food writer and TV personality and is the author of three cookbooks - The Boy Who Bakes (2011), Say It With Cake (2012) and Patisserie Made Simple (Oct 2014).
Edd grew up in a house where baking was a regular occurrence, his first memory was standing on a stool in the kitchen helping his mum to make mince pies. After studying politics at university Edd realised the corporate world wasn’t for him and after entering and winning the first series of The Great British Bake Off (BBC Two) he has jumped at the chance of following his passion for baking.
Edd writes for several magazines and newspapers including regular features in BBC Good Food, Delicious and Waitrose Kitchen. Edd has also made regular appearances on TV including on Sunday Brunch and as resident baker on The Alan Titchmarsh Show (ITV 2014) as well as on his own Christmas special ‘John and Edd's Christmas Bakes’ (Food Network 2013).
Theboywhobakes.co.uk has been named as one of the best UK blogs by Woman and Home Magazine and as one of the best baking blogs by Channel4.com.
Edd grew up in a house where baking was a regular occurrence, his first memory was standing on a stool in the kitchen helping his mum to make mince pies. After studying politics at university Edd realised the corporate world wasn’t for him and after entering and winning the first series of The Great British Bake Off (BBC Two) he has jumped at the chance of following his passion for baking.
Edd writes for several magazines and newspapers including regular features in BBC Good Food, Delicious and Waitrose Kitchen. Edd has also made regular appearances on TV including on Sunday Brunch and as resident baker on The Alan Titchmarsh Show (ITV 2014) as well as on his own Christmas special ‘John and Edd's Christmas Bakes’ (Food Network 2013).
Theboywhobakes.co.uk has been named as one of the best UK blogs by Woman and Home Magazine and as one of the best baking blogs by Channel4.com.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 7, 2022
Good, but a little disappointing at the same time.
On the positive side, the choice of recipes is really diverse and logically arranged. Beautiful photographs are also a big plus for me, as are the introductory paragraphs providing both practical and personal information about the recipes.
However, something I found really irritating was the constant translations. I mean, I fully understand the desire to appeal to a wide audience, but do we really need to be told that clingfilm is also know as plastic wrap every time? Or that a baking tray is a cookie sheet? I think I blame the publisher for this - they should give their readers more credit. Some people might find it useful that within the recipes measurements are given in mL, oz and cups/spoons, but I have to say I found it very unwieldy.
Before rating this cookbook I tried two recipes. Neither wowed me, but they were ok. The Crumpets were not as good or as quick as the ones I usually make from a scalable recipe, and the Biscoff-Stuffed Brownies (of course I did!) tasted great, but the batter was too thick to produce a pretty bake like Edd’s.
On the positive side, the choice of recipes is really diverse and logically arranged. Beautiful photographs are also a big plus for me, as are the introductory paragraphs providing both practical and personal information about the recipes.
However, something I found really irritating was the constant translations. I mean, I fully understand the desire to appeal to a wide audience, but do we really need to be told that clingfilm is also know as plastic wrap every time? Or that a baking tray is a cookie sheet? I think I blame the publisher for this - they should give their readers more credit. Some people might find it useful that within the recipes measurements are given in mL, oz and cups/spoons, but I have to say I found it very unwieldy.
Before rating this cookbook I tried two recipes. Neither wowed me, but they were ok. The Crumpets were not as good or as quick as the ones I usually make from a scalable recipe, and the Biscoff-Stuffed Brownies (of course I did!) tasted great, but the batter was too thick to produce a pretty bake like Edd’s.
May 4, 2025
YUM!!! So many mouth-watering recipes to choose from! I really appreciate the small batches - perfect eating for small groups or solo baking.
December 29, 2022
A product of lockdowns, by the first winner of Great British Bake Off who lives alone, these are recipes suited for those who love to bake but live in single or small households, or those who don’t need to make full size batches. Looking forward to trying some of the small cake bakes.
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September 2, 2025It's too difficult to rate recipe books, but I can still review them!
As stated in the introduction, baking is often thought of as something we do for large gatherings and special occasions. However, within this book "are recipes that make just one cookie, desserts for date night that serve two, recipes that make four servings when you might want a weeknight dessert, and a few recipes that serve a small gathering of six." There are savoury options amongst the sweet, and most of these items can be frozen. I can already tell that the ‘Emergency Chocolate Chip Cookie’ recipe (p50) and ‘One Egg Pavlova for Two’ (p114) are going to be used a lot in my house. Edd Kimber (@TheBoyWhoBakes) talks about what equipment is actually needed versus what is just nice to have, how to freeze and use up leftover egg yolks/whites, and how to make small servings of different types of pastry, dough and fillings. This book is definitely worth checking out, especially if you're a student, live alone, or want to make something delicious to share with someone special.
As stated in the introduction, baking is often thought of as something we do for large gatherings and special occasions. However, within this book "are recipes that make just one cookie, desserts for date night that serve two, recipes that make four servings when you might want a weeknight dessert, and a few recipes that serve a small gathering of six." There are savoury options amongst the sweet, and most of these items can be frozen. I can already tell that the ‘Emergency Chocolate Chip Cookie’ recipe (p50) and ‘One Egg Pavlova for Two’ (p114) are going to be used a lot in my house. Edd Kimber (@TheBoyWhoBakes) talks about what equipment is actually needed versus what is just nice to have, how to freeze and use up leftover egg yolks/whites, and how to make small servings of different types of pastry, dough and fillings. This book is definitely worth checking out, especially if you're a student, live alone, or want to make something delicious to share with someone special.
February 2, 2023
I’m not familiar with Edd’s other work (Netflix doesn’t have his season of GBBO) but this book was…okay. It got to the point fairly quickly with each recipe, some repetition of British/American terminology that got a tiny bit tedious. Extra points though because there is a photo for every recipe!
Some intriguing flavor combos (aka ones I will never make, like matcha) but also fun things that sound delicious, like the incredible peanut butter chocolate cookies on the front cover.
This is a library book—I’m the first person to check it out, actually!—so I will update if I do end up trying anything here.
Some intriguing flavor combos (aka ones I will never make, like matcha) but also fun things that sound delicious, like the incredible peanut butter chocolate cookies on the front cover.
This is a library book—I’m the first person to check it out, actually!—so I will update if I do end up trying anything here.
February 24, 2025
Edd Kimber is reliable at giving me crowd pleasing recipes and straightforward baking advice. I don’t turn to his books for the cooking school level depth of Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat or The Zuni Cafe Cookbook. I turn to his books for the almost instant relaxation of preparing solid bakes in the kitchen over an hour or two—like attending a yoga class I know will zen me out. Small Batch Bakes lives up to that expectation.
February 2, 2024
2.5 stars
Rhubarb and Frangipane Tarts*
Blueberry Cream Tarts
Emergency Chocolate Chip Cookies
Melting Moments
Japanese Jiggly Cheesecake with Passion Fruit Butterscotch Sauce
Brown Butter Miso Banana Bread
Date Night Creme Brulee
English Muffins
Rhubarb and Frangipane Tarts*
Blueberry Cream Tarts
Emergency Chocolate Chip Cookies
Melting Moments
Japanese Jiggly Cheesecake with Passion Fruit Butterscotch Sauce
Brown Butter Miso Banana Bread
Date Night Creme Brulee
English Muffins
December 8, 2022
Some interesting recipes here for just the two of us - I'm looking forward to making some of these. As I read it last night on my tablet I added several bookmarks.
January 8, 2023
Baking plans afoot
February 7, 2023
Useful recipes for 2 persons.
February 23, 2023
Any book with an Emergency Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe has already won me over. This book is filled with doable recipes for rather spectacular stuff.
March 8, 2023
No new recipes i don't already have favorites for that can be easily scaled.
March 27, 2023
Great little book for households of 2 or three, especially if you want no leftovers.
May 18, 2023
It is always fun to look at cookbooks. Love the idea of small batches of cookies and treats, but let's be real I like a full batch of cookies - and we eat them :)
November 16, 2023
Excited to try some of these recipes! Updates to come once I do
November 18, 2023
Amazing! For everyone who has ever needed a single chocolate chip emergency cookie. 10/10
December 5, 2023
Great recipes! This is perfect for people who live alone or in a small family and enjoy baking. I saved a lot of recipes for later.
January 13, 2024
Bookmarked roughly 80% of the recipes. Don’t read without a treat handy.
March 2, 2024
I found that I liked One Tin Bakes Easy more than this book.
I guess what I was looking for wasn't so much smaller recipes and recipes that have smaller cleanup required!
I guess what I was looking for wasn't so much smaller recipes and recipes that have smaller cleanup required!
October 14, 2022
Another great cookbook from Edd Kimber. I enjoy his recipes and look forward to trying some from his new book. I’ve been a fan ever since he won GBBO.
April 25, 2025
So useful and easy to use for those who do not want or need to create heaps of bakes or desserts but would like to partake in their delicious joy. The usual preface material includes comments on ingredients recommended, freezing instructions, the basics one must understand, and the preferred equipment, as well as how to deal with leftover eggs (innovative addition). Chapters follow on Pastry, Cookies, Barks and Treats, Cakes, Desserts, Breads and Buns, and then a chapter on Small Batch Basics that has recipes for elements one will use over and over again like Lemon Curd and Choux pastry. Each recipe has a colored photo of the end result, a list of ingredients, complete instructions and some have extra Tips or Notes. Great gift for newly marrieds or for people on their own. I can’t wait to try the Emergency Chocolate Chip Cookie!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews