Why You Should Have Small Tart Pans In Your Kitchen
Small-scale baking is having a heyday. According to The New York Times, the idea of making smaller, more individualized batches of baked goods rose to prominence during the early stages of the pandemic when baking commodities like flour and yeast were challenging to find. The small-scale approach satiates any and all sweet cravings — sans the hassle, waste, and ingredient quantities of full-out bakes.
This trend of making scaled-down foods prompted a surge of recipes and cookbooks. Now, you can make a singular cookie in lieu of a whole batch or a trio of muffins aimed at feeding three rather than 24. You can even assemble an elaborate cake as mini layer cakes. These recipes are sure to impress without going overboard.
To make smaller versions of your favorite baked goods, you need the right equipment. Tart pans are particularly primed for scaled-down baking and let you pack a lot of flavor into a minimal amount of space. Even if you're looking to make something other than a tart, a tart pan is a kitchen essential, thanks to its compact size and versatility.
Mini tart pans are great for scaling your favorite treats
Mike Johnson, author of the forthcoming book "Simple Small-Batch Baking," recommended small tart pans to The Washington Post. Per Johnson, miniature tart pans are essential for any small-scale baker. You should look for a tart pan roughly 4 ¾ inches in diameter. Such a pan may seem niche, but it actually has multiple uses and isn't limited to only tarts. While some recipes may require trial and error to scale down, you can use your mini tart pan to experiment with quiches, frittatas, and other savory and sweet-baked treats.
Alternatively, you can stick to the classics without getting tired of any one food. With a full-scale tart pan, you often end up with leftovers, and when baking for one, you'll wind up eating the same meal day in and day out. With a mini tart pan, however, you can make a Portuguese egg tart whenever your sweet tooth kicks in. Or, you can whip up a tart with tomatoes and ricotta for a solo summer meal (via Martha Stewart). Mini tart pans solve the problem of making too much of a good thing — and who doesn't love tiny versions of their favorite foods?