Category Archives: Cooking/Baking Downsized

SPICY CHICKEN ENCHILADA SOUP- COOKING FOR 2

 This Spicy Chicken Enchilada Soup is not for the weak at heart when it comes to heat.

A spicy chicken enchilada soup created for 2. Perfect for the winter weather.

January is National Soup month,  and it has been cold here in WV this week.  I decided this makes it the perfect time to do this Spicy Chicken Enchilada Soup. This is definitely one of my family’s favorite soups to make in the fall and winter months.

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COOK-OUT IDEAS FOR SMALL CROWDS

A collection of Cook-out Ideas and recipes for small crowds. Perfect for this Memorial Day or 4th of July.Cook-out ideas for small crowds. 

Another summer holiday is upon us and our 4th of July celebration will look different since it will just be 2 of us this year.  I am sharing some cook-out ideas for small crowds.  Also including a recipe for potato salad for 2.  

My husband and I are empty nesters, so I have learned to scale down my recipes frequently.  Continue reading COOK-OUT IDEAS FOR SMALL CROWDS

MINI CITRUS BUNDT CAKE WITH LEMON CURD & RASPBERRY SAUCE

"<brMini Citrus Bundt Cake with Lemon Curd and Raspberry Sauce is a perfect small dessert with lots of big flavor.

Mini Citrus Bundt Cake with Lemon Curd and Raspberry Sauce is a perfect small dessert with lots of big flavor.

This Mini Citrus Bundt Cake is a moist and tender bundt cake, that was baked in a 6-inch mini bundt cake pan. It has a citrus vanilla flavor obtained from  using an extract called Fiori Di Sicilia, and is served with a homemade lemon curd and raspberry sauce. Continue reading MINI CITRUS BUNDT CAKE WITH LEMON CURD & RASPBERRY SAUCE

GAME DAY SNACKS FOR 2

A great collection of Game Day Snacks for 2, including mini appetizers, finger foods, and dips.We are football fans at my house!  Last weekend was filled with playoff games and lots of excitement.  That can only mean one thing..there must be game day snacks.

It is easy to fix a table full of appetizers when you are having a large crowd over, but a little more challenging when you are fixing game day snacks for 2.   For my downsized cooking post this week, I want to share some ideas for the snacks we had.

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SAFFRON ORANGE CUSTARD BUNDT CAKE FOR 2

Saffron Orange Custard Bundt Cake for 2 is a scaled down cake perfect for any special occassion.

Saffron Orange Custard Bundt Cake for 2 is a recipe that is perfect when you need a smaller dessert but want something special.

I have been working on cleaning and organizing my kitchen this week, and found some saffron threads in my spice drawer that I needed to use.  This is not a spice that I am familiar with, but decided to try it in a cookie or a cake.

I have a bundt cake recipe that I have been working on with a 6-inch bundt cake pan, but must admit that I had to make this cake 4 times to get it right.  I didn’t use my saffron until  the other measurements were correct.

HOW TO MAKE SAFFRON ORANGE BUNDT CAKE:

(Full list of ingredients and instructions in printable recipe card.)

INGREDIENTS
whole milk
saffron strands (An expensive spice derived from the flower of crocus. It is sold as threads. Flavor is a slightly sweet floral. It is used also as a coloring in baked goods. Crush the strands into a powder like substance to use, using a mortar and pestle or the back of a teaspoon.
butter
sugar
egg
vanilla extract
**cake flour (creates a softer, lighter cake than when using all-purpose flour)
baking powder
baking soda
kosher salt
sour cream

CUSTARD SAUCE
all purpose flour
sugar
egg yolk
whole milk
juice from orange

INSTRUCTIONSSaffron Orange Custard Bundt Cake for 2 is a scaled down cake perfect for any special occassion.

 

Prepare and bake the cake as directed.  Cool 10-15 minutes, remove from the pan. Allow to cool completely on wire rack.

Saffron Orange Custard Bundt Cake for 2 is a scaled down cake perfect for any special occassion.

While cake is cooling, prepare the custard sauce.  The sauce had a yellow color, so I tinted it slightly with orange coloring paste to get the color that I wanted.

The sauce can be served warm or cold.  It can be drizzled over the top of the cake or spooned on individual slices.

SAFFRON ORANGE CUSTARD BUNDT CAKE FOR 2

A 6 inch mini orange bundt cake with saffron, covered with an orange custard sauce.
Course Cooking For 2, Desserts
Cuisine American
Keyword Saffron Orange Custard Bundt Cake, Mini Bundt Cake
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 26 minutes
Total Time 51 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 594kcal
Author pamelashank2015

Ingredients

  • CAKE:
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 3-4 strands saffron
  • 6 Tablespoons butter softened
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 orange zested and juice obtained
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup cake flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 Tablespoon sour cream
  • CUSTARD SAUCE:
  • 1 Tablespoon all purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 2/3 cup whole milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon juice from orange
  • orange coloring paste optional

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. (I tested this with convection and non convection oven). Spray a 6-inch bundt cake pan with non stick cooking spray.
  • Place saffron in milk and set aside.
  • In a medium size mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, cream the butter. Add sugar and continue to beat until well combined.
  • Beat in the egg, 1 teaspoon orange juice, 1/4 teaspoon orange zest, and vanilla.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  • Add dry ingredients to butter mixture, alternating with the milk. Add the sour cream. Beat mixture until combined but do not overbeat. Spread batter evenly in the cake pan.
  • Bake about 22-26 minutes, or until cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to set on wire rack 10-15 minutes. Invert and carefully remove cake from the pan. Allow to cool completely on the wire rack.
  • For the custard sauce: Stir together the flour and sugar in a small bowl; set aside. In a small saucepan, whisk together the egg yolk and half of the milk over a medium heat. Add the sugar and continue to whisk until well blended. Add the remaining milk and cook until mixture thickens. Remove from the heat, stir in the orange juice. I dipped a toothpick in coloring paste and stirred this in to obtain more of an orange color, but this is optional. Sauce may be served warm or chilled. Spread over top of cake or serve on the side as cake is sliced. May garnish cake with remaining orange zest if desired.

Notes

NUTRITIONAL DISCLAIMER. Calorie count provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
  • Be sure to spray the pan very well with no stick cooking spray.
  • Allow pan to cool on wire cooling rack for 10 minutes.  Invert onto serving platter.
  • Sauce may be served warm or chilled. Spread over top of cake or serve on the side as cake is sliced. May garnish cake with remaining orange zest if desired.
  • Crush the saffron threads into a powder before using.  You can use a mortar and pestle to do this or just a teaspoon to grind them.

Why You Will Love This Saffron Orange Cake

  • This cake recipe is a beautiful, elegant dessert that is special enough to serve at Easter, Mother’s Day, or any holiday.
  • It makes a perfect size cake for a smaller crowd, or empty nesters such as my husband and I are.

Helpful Tips

  • Be sure to spray the pan very well with no stick cooking spray.
  • Allow pan to cool on wire cooling rack for 10 minutes.  Invert onto serving platter.
  • Sauce may be served warm or chilled. Spread over top of cake or serve on the side as cake is sliced. May garnish cake with remaining orange zest if desired.
  • Crush the saffron threads into a powder before using.  You can use a mortar and pestle to do this or just a teaspoon to grind them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I store this cake?
Store in an airtight container (or cake plate with dome) for 3 days. Do not refrigerate as it will become dry.

Enjoy this moist, elegant bundt cake.

You may also want to try these other scaled down cakes for 2.

HUMMINGBIRD CAKE FOR 2
MINI CITRUS BUNDT CAKE

This recipe was shared @ https://sweetlittlebluebird.com/ Week-end Potluck Party

Saffron Orange Custard Bundt Cake for 2 is a scaled down cake perfect for any special occassion.

PASTA SALAD FOR 2- – DOWNSIZED COOKING RECIPE

This Protein Packed Pasta Salad is loaded with veggies, meats, and cheeses. Colorful, delicious, and perfect to transport to any summer event.

Protein Packed Pasta Salad is a great high protein food, delicious and good for you.

It is so cold and snowy here in WV that I could eat a warm bowl of homemade soup every day.  For the past 2 weeks my husband has been asking me to make a pasta salad.  I usually fixed this in the summer or when I need to take something to a covered dish event to feed a large crowd.  My original recipe serves about  10 people.

This Protein Packed Pasta Salad is loaded with veggies, meats, and cheeses. Colorful, delicious, and perfect to transport to any summer event.To please my husband, I made this for my downsized recipe this week.

Continue reading PASTA SALAD FOR 2- – DOWNSIZED COOKING RECIPE