Cranberry Mousse Mini-Tarts

More About This Recipe

• Go ahead -- bake up a storm. With quick shortcuts, it's not only easier, but more fun too!
  
  The holidays mean baking for kitchen-loving folks everywhere. Lots and lots of baking! It's amazing the array of sweets that one person can whip up in the relatively short period between just before Thanksgiving and New Year's Day.
  
  But baking doesn't have to mean a back-breaking, all consuming, nose-to-the-grindstone experience. In fact, with the right shortcuts, it can be downright easy. So easy, the kids can help!
  
  Here are a few of my all-time fave ways to save time in the kitchen.
  
  1. Use Parchment to Line the Tray
  
  Silicone baking sheet liners are great, but they do require cleaning. If you are pressed for time and want to have to clean one less item, line your baking sheet with parchment paper, which makes cookies bake up evenly without getting too golden around the edges.
  
  If the corners curl up, hold each corner down with a mound of cookie dough, then fill in the rest of the sheet -- or, roll the parchment around a bottle (like a cooking oil spray bottle) in the opposite direction of its natural curl. 
  
  Time Saving Bonus: When you line the tray, you don't need to wash it after every use -- just toss the paper!
  
  2. Make 'em Minis
  
  Love desserts like cheesecake but don't have the time to invest in making them? Try making a mini version. Not only will it take less time, but the smaller portion means less-stress baking too.
  
  Helpful Hint: These beautiful cranberry mini desserts are made much easier with Pillsbury refrigerated pie crust dough. Just unroll, cut, and put into muffin tins. No mixing pie crust or rolling it out with a rolling pin!
  
  Time Saving Bonus: When you make mini versions of desserts, you can simply set out a tray of goodies and let others do the serving -- no cutting required!
  
  3. Dress Up Refrigerated Dough
  
  Homemade cookies are wonderful. But when you are short on time, it's a fab idea to use refrigerated dough or pouches of cookie mix. Make them your own by dolling up the cookies with sprinkles, pressing candy into the centers or frosting them.
  
  Time Saving Bonus: When you use refrigerated dough, you can literally make cookies in minutes!
  
  4. Quick-Soften the Butter
  
  Unwrap refrigerated butter and place it on a microwave-safe dish. Nuke it for 10 seconds to start (microwave ovens vary, so keep an eye on it), check it and microwave it another few seconds until soft. It happens fast.
  
  Tip from the Betty Crocker Test Kitchens: If you need butter for your recipe that is softened but not melted, microwave it at HALF power for 30 seconds.
  
  Time Saving Bonus: You can be spur of the moment with your baking -- and not waste any time doing it.
  
  5. Cookie Scoops
  
  Sure, spoons work great to plop that cookie dough onto baking sheets. But it's super speedy -- and one-handed --with a cookie scoop! Found at cooking stores and even big box stores now, they're available in many sizes. Put one on your Christmas list!
  
  Time Saving Bonus: Just try it -- you'll see what we mean. It's just really quick!
  
  Great Treats to Bake
  
  The holidays are coming fast! From Thanksgiving to New Year's, we've got great baking to fill your home with delicious smells -- and fill your guests with yummy goodies!
  
  Cranberry Mousse Mini-Tarts Recipe (featured)
  Fall Sugar Cookies with Maple Frosting Recipe
  Thanksgiving Cookie Pizza Recipe
  Pumpkin Cheesecake Squares Recipe
  Pecan Pie Supreme Brownie Recipe
  
  And if you like apple recipes, you're in luck! Check out our fabulous Sweet Apple Treats recipe collection.
  
  Sarah W. Caron (aka scaron) is a food writer, editor and blogger who writes about family-friendly foods and raising a healthy family at Sarah’s Cucina Bella.
  
  What's your fave baking shortcut?