Short & Sweet: Sophisticated Desserts in No Time at All Capa dura - 1999

Nutmeg Crumb Cake

6 servings

6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar 1 teaspoon grated nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 cup buttermilk or plain yogurt 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 large egg yolk

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Coat an 8-inch square baking pan with nonstick oil spray. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan or in a mixing bowl in a microwave oven. Stir in the flour, brown sugar, and nutmeg until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Measure out and reserve 1/2 cup of the crumbs.
In a small bowl, whisk the baking soda into the buttermilk or yogurt, then whisk in the vanilla and egg yolk. Stir the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients. Spread the batter evenly in the pan, then sprinkle with the reserved 1/2 cup crumbs.
Bake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature on the day of baking. (The cake may be covered and frozen for up to 1 month.)

Little Cheesecakes

6 to 8 servings

12 chocolate wafer cookies (about one-third of a 9-ounce package) 8 ounces cream cheese cut into 8 pieces, at room temperature 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 large egg 1/2 cup (3 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips, melted (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 6 to 8 (depending upon the depth) standard-sized cupcake cups with paper liners. Set a chocolate wafer in each cup. Crush the remaining cookies in a food processor, then remove from the work bowl and set aside. There's no need to wash the work bowl.
Place the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and egg in it and process just until smooth and fluffy, about 20 seconds. For chocolate cheesecakes, add the melted chocolate and process just until blended in.
Divide the batter among the cups. For marble cheesecakes, pour some of the chocolate on top of each cheesecake, then use a table knife to swirl the chocolate into the batter.
Sprinkle the cheesecakes with the cookie crumbs. Bake until the cheesecakes are set and lightly colored on top, about 20 minutes. Cool on a rack for 5 minutes, then gently transfer the cups to a baking sheet and set in the freezer for at least 10 minutes before serving. (The cheesecakes can be refrigerated for up to 1 day.)

Chocolate Thin Mint Triangles

Makes 32 large pieces

12 ounces (2 cups) mint chocolate chips 6 ounces (1 cup) white chocolate chips 3-4 drops of green food coloring

Line an 8-inch square baking pan with foil, allowing a 1-inch overhang on the sides. In a medium bowl set over simmering water or in a microwave oven, gently heat the mint chocolate chips until they are nearly melted (1 1/2 to 2 minutes in a microwave, stopping to stir once or twice). Remove from the heat and stir until completely melted and smooth. Spread half the melted chocolate evenly over the bottom of the pan. Refrigerate until set, about 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, melt the white chocolate chips in the same way. Stir in enough food coloring so the mixture is mint green. Spread all the white chocolate over the layer of dark chocolate. Refrigerate until set, about 5 minutes. If the remaining dark chocolate has become too firm, heat gently to melt again. Spread the layer of dark chocolate over the white chocolate. Refrigerate until set, about 5 minutes.
Use the foil to remove the candy from the pan. Peel off the foil, use a small knife to trim the edges evenly, then cut the candy into sixteen 2-inch squares. Cut each square in half to make 32 triangles. Cool to room temperature before serving. (The mints can be refrigerated, covered, for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 1 month.)

Excerpted from SHORT AND SWEET: 150 DESSERTS IN NO TIME AT ALL by Melanie Barnard, Ann Stratton (Photographer). Copyright © 1999. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

"Melanie Barnard is the smartest cookie on the block. If cookbooks were rated based on innovative techniques and ideas, SHORT & SWEET might rank number 1. With Barnard's guidance, in 30 minutes or less and using seven ingredients or fewer, you can enjoy cupcake-size cream cheese cakes, virtually fool-proof soufflés, even an espresso-flavored Baked Alaska...." Amazon.com