Cake stalls, school fetes, bake sales ... if you're a parent who's bored with endless honey joys and squares of toffee, why not try one of these terrific books featuring recipes for single serve treats? They're perfect for satisfying the kids, and maybe even wowing the other parents!
Handfuls of Sunshine
Tilly Pamment
You might be familiar with Tilly Pamment, the Australian baker whose debut cookbook, The Plain Cake Appreciation Society, was a celebration of the kinds of simple, uncomplicated cakes that you can whip up for afternoon tea.
In Handfuls of Sunshine, Pammut turns her attention to bite-size single serve delicacies like slices, baby cakes, biscuits, scones, and tartlets. Come for the Passionfruit Sunshine Slice, stay for the Cinnamon Maple Stars.
Some of My Best Friends are Cookies
Emelia Jackson
Look, let's just say Emelia Jackson's book Some of My Best Friends are Cookies was one of our bestselling books of 2024 for a reason. This whimsical collection of over 80 recipes is your go-to for any type of biscuit, from basic choc-chips and shortbread squares to crowd-pleasers from around the world: Pfeffernüsse, crostoli, palmiers, vaniljekranse. I have a particular soft spot for the Lemon & Poppy-Seed Crinkle Cookies, which are so zesty and delicious that I had to make a second batch when I baked them for gifts last Christmas, as my family and I inhaled the first lot while they were still cooling.
The Condiment Book
Claire Dinhut
If you don't feel like competing with the trays of caramel slice and smartie biscuits have you condsidered ... condiments?
The Condiment Book by Claire Dinhut offers a slew of punchy recipes for essentials like ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, hot sauces, pickles, bottled fruits and dips. When the school fete attendees have had their fill of cake they're the perfect souvenir to take home for later.
Crumbs
Ben Mims
Food writer Ben Mims is a self-confessed baking obsessive, and his cookbook Crumbs is evidence of that passion. Organised by geographic region and featuring recipes from a broad range of cultures, this book includes recipes for cookies and sweets from over 100 countries. With easy-to-navigate icons designating dairy-free, gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan recipes you'll be guaranteed to find something in this book that will leave you feeling deservedly smug when you present your offering.
Cupcakes for Any Occasion
Rachel Lindsay
So maybe you're one of those overachieving people who doesn't mind wrangling a piping bag, or enjoys bringing the kind of goodies that leave everyone else feeling slightly awed by your skill (we have one or two of these in the Readings office). Cupcakes for Any Occassion is perfect for this kind of baker and is full of the kind of show-stopping cupcake decorations that punters will happily shell out those fundraising $$$'s for!
Featuring detailed step-by-step instructions for over 50 impactful but achievable decorating ideas, this is the book for those people who are already making snowmen out of marshmallows, but are ready to level up.
