As big as my sweet tooth is (and trust me, it’s big), sometimes I don’t want to indulge in an entire slice of cake. Sometimes, I just want a lil’ something to satisfy my sugary cravings—just a teeny tiny bite of sweetness to take the edge off, so to speak. And for that, there’s mini baking.
Lucky for me and anyone else who enjoys a sweet treat, you can make tiny tres leches, pint-sized fruit pies, wee waffles, and all sorts of other shrunken desserts in the comfort of your own kitchen. What they lack in size they make up for in taste (and save space on your kitchen counters). And you don’t have to look far to make your own mini desserts. A quick Google search will flood your feed with petite loaf pans, compact cocottes, and other fun-sized trinkets. Of course, some are better than others. Find our favorites below so you can start baking small yourself.
With cozy season around the corner, why not ball out on a full-blown small baking set? Just like the brand’s signature ceramic cookware, Caraway’s colorful mini set is pretty enough to leave out on when you’re not using it (or, ya know, when it’s brimming with treats). All of the pieces— a mini baking sheet, muffin tin, cooling rack, and small rectangular pan for snacking cakes or even tiny lasagnas, will fit inside a toaster oven. And no need to worry about cookies sticking to the baking sheet or having to bang the muffin tin against the counter to pop them out. The ceramic non-stick coating helps baked goods slide right out, making cleanup a breeze.
These candy-colored cocottes are a work of art. At $140 for a set of six, you’re really paying for the flex of serving the most aesthetic individual dishes (think, souflees or creme brulees) at your next dinner party. They retain heat beautifully, look chic on a table, and double as conversation starters. Best of all, they’re safe for just about everything. Broil ‘em, bake ‘em, microwave ‘em, even freeze ‘em—they handle it all. In the BA test kitchen they also double as salt cellars when not headed for the oven.
Trudeau Silicone Mini Loaf Pan
Fall is synonymous with loaves—spicy pumpkin loaves, warm cinnamon apple loaves, even nutty maple pecan loaves—and if you can drool over it, this mini loaf pan can bake it. The silky silicone lets bakes pop right out, no liners needed. And unlike other silicone molds that flop around or fold in on themselves, this one is reinforced with a steel lining to ensure it stays upright. Bonus points for the wide handles that make carrying it to and from the oven a piece of cake—literally.
Dash specializes in small gadgets that make cooking and baking a lot more charming. This mini pancake maker—which went viral on TikTok— is beloved by thousands, and, like lots of Dash’s miniature appliances, really does work. It comes in a rainbow of colors, so you’re bound to find one to match your vibe, and it makes perfect, golden flapjacks.
Chicago Metallic Mini Multi-Tier Round Cake Pan
Serious at-home bakers—get your hands on this micro tiered cake pan to get the cutest, most professional-looking layered cakes of your miniature-baking dreams. This ingenious pan bakes multiple layers at once so you can whip up a small-scale showstopper worthy of a Great British Bake Off challenge. Is it extra? Oh yeah. But it’s also completely delightful and bound to get compliments.
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Anchor Hocking 6-Inch Mini Pie Dish (Set of 6)
This set of six glass pie dishes is perfect for baking individual portions, whether you’re hosting a holiday dinner or just prefer not to share dessert. The durable glass is oven-safe, dishwasher-safe, and designed to heat evenly. At 6 inches across, they’re versatile enough for pies, quiches, or even small casseroles, and at $22 ,they won’t break the bank.
Fimary Silicone Mini Muffin Pan
Mini muffins and cupcakes are a classic, and this flexible silicone pan makes a convenient option for batch baking. It’s nonstick, easy to clean, and safe for use in the oven, microwave, and freezer. The best part, though, is releasing your treats. Just push up, and the baked goods pop out. The bake on silicone will always come out lighter than one of their metal counterparts, but you’ll never have to wrestle with stuck-on cupcake batter or burnt liners again.
Nordic Ware 75th Anniversary Braided Mini Bundt Pan
Looking to make a statement with your bite-sized bake? This heavy-duty cast aluminum pan will do the trick. It bakes 12 mini bundt cakes at once, each with an intricate braided design that looks elevated the moment they come out of the oven. It’s durable, nonstick-coated for easy release, and distributes heat evenly for consistent results—a truly timeless piece from a trusted bakeware brand.
