Bite-Sized Treats

Just a bite of sweetness may be all you need when serving a crowd during the holidays or packing treats for a school party. And all of these recipes promise big flavor in small cookies.

Classic thumbprint cookies are always a hit! Start with a simple butter cookie recipe, then fill thumb depressions with gooey chocolate ganache. To save time, substitute a small milk chocolate candy for the ganache and let the piping-hot cookie transform it into a melty treat.

Recipe: Chocolate Thumbprints

For an elegant touch, dip the edges in melted dark chocolate.

These delicate cookie sandwiches, made from egg whites and rich chocolate ganache, taste best the day they're baked. If you do make them ahead, store them in an airtight container for no more than three days. But these tasty treats will probably be long gone before then.

Recipe: Peanut-Chocolate Macaroons

In our opinion, this decadent mix of chocolate, nuts, and gooey caramel needs no further introduction. But just in case you need one more reason to try it, remember that a hint of crunchy coconut rounds out the flavor combination.

Recipe: Caramel-Coconut-Pecan Brownies

Flavor your meringue with cocoa, then fold in mini chocolate chips for a lightly-browned cookie that's doubly sweet.

Recipe: Double-Chocolate Meringue Cookies

Give your oven a break and serve these sweet-and-salty bars. The crunchy peanut butter and crushed vanilla wafers add an unexpected crispy crunch to the dessert.

Recipe: Chocolate-Peanut Bars

Serve these vanilla-flavored coffee treats with an after-dinner cup of espresso. The cream of tartar helps boost the egg whites into a fluffy whipped concoction that bakes slowly, so start this dessert before dinner guests arrive.

Recipe: Coffee Meringues

When your chocoholic side goes on vacation, reach for one of these buttery, lemon-infused confections topped with flaky coconut. Your taste buds will celebrate the easy-to-make dessert's resemblance to lemon meringue pie.

Recipe: Lemon-Scented Coconut Macaroon Bars

Although it looks fancy, a meringue is simply a mixture of egg whites and sugar. Flavored with almond extract and semisweet chocolate, these "hard meringues" (meringues baked at a very low temperature) box up beautifully as hostess gifts and hit the spot during a sweet-tooth craving.

Recipe: Chocolate Chip Meringues

These bite-sized treats are heart-healthy! The secret is unsweetened applesauce and vegetable oil, not vegetable shortening.

These walnut-filled apple cakes are made in muffin pans and just the right size for your own personal cake.

If you just need a little bite of something sweet, these mini ice cream sandwiches are just for you.

Double chocolate is great, but with ganache is even better.