Yes, it’s kind of gimmicky, but at this time of year, you’ll take all the time-savers you can get. Abby Dodge, a baker and former pastry chef, has published a book of 125 dessert recipes that use just four ingredients, most of which are already in your pantry.

In “Desserts 4 Today” (Taunton Press, $17.95), you’ll find ridiculously simple desserts such as Mini Bittersweet Chocolate Cheesecakes (cream cheese, granulated sugar, chocolate and one large egg), Banana-Brown Sugar Pie Pockets (banana, brown sugar, vanilla extract and pre-made pie dough) and Warm Maple Cranberry Pears (whole cranberries, pure maple syrup, dried cranberries and ripe pears).

With each recipe, Dodge includes “Switch-Ins” that suggest replacements for ingredients you don’t like, don’t have on hand or aren’t in season.

 

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