Mini Cakes

Wrap cakes individually, using favor boxes, secondhand teacups, or saucers.

• Recipe: Limoncello pine nut upside down cakes

Use an ice cream scoop to quickly portion out batter into pan cups.

• Recipe: Cranberry-vanilla mini Bundts

Try using different molds, such as metal aspic ones or oven-safe ceramic mugs. (Fill about two-thirds full, and check cakes early for doneness.)

• Recipe: Fig gingerbread cakes

These batters are goofproof, so feel free to experiment with spices or extracts for other flavor combos.

• Recipe: Chocolate espresso cakes