These tiny cakes make terrific gifts, packaged in sets of three — one of each flavor. The basic vanilla batter is also wonderful for other variations — try orange rind and white chocolate-chip, raisin-walnut, or "the kitchen sink" (that's whatever you need to get rid of in your pantry). I also like to keep some of these loaves in my freezer for impromptu breakfast parties. Just move them to the refrigerator before bed, and they'll be thawed by morning.

　　

Ingredients

Makes 9 mini loaves (3 sets of 3 flavors each)

　　

For mix-ins

1 tablespoon poppy seeds

　　2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

　　1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

　　1 teaspoon all-purpose flour

　　1/2 very ripe banana

　　

For batter

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

　　1 teaspoon baking powder

　　1/2 teaspoon salt

　　1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

　　1 cup sugar

　　4 large eggs

　　2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

　　1/4 cup whole milk

　　1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest

　　

Prep mix-ins

Step 1

In small bowl, combine poppy seeds and lemon juice. Set aside. In second small bowl, toss together chocolate chips and flour. Set aside. In third small bowl, gently mash banana. Set aside.

　　

Make batter

Step 2

Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter 9 (4-ounce) disposable mini loaf pans. (If using nondisposable metal pans, butter them, then line with parchment paper and butter paper.)

　　

Step 3

In medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In large bowl, using electric mixer fitted with whisk attachment, beat butter at high speed until creamy, about 3 minutes. Add sugar and beat until mixture is light and somewhat fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well at low speed after each addition, then beat in vanilla. Add 1/3 of flour mixture and beat at low speed until not quite combined, about 30 seconds. Add 1/3 of milk and and beat at low speed until not quite combined, about 30 seconds. Repeat with remaining flour mixture and milk, adding in 2 more batches of each. Beat at low speed just until smooth.

　　

Step 4

Pour 1/3 of batter into medium bowl. Gently stir in poppy seed-lemon juice mixture and lemon zest. Divide among 3 of prepared pans.

　　

Step 5

Pour 1/2 of remaining batter into medium bowl. Gently fold in chocolate chip-flour mixture and mashed banana. Divide among 3 of prepared pans.

　　

Step 6

Divide remaining vanilla batter among remaining 3 prepared pans.

　　

Step 7

Place all pans on large baking sheet. Bake until cakes are puffed and firm to touch and tester inserted into the center comes out with few crumbs attached, about 30 to 40 minutes. Cook on rack.

　　

Step 8

When cool, wrap each cake in plastic wrap, then parchment or wax paper. Label, stack in groups of 3 (1 of each kind), and tie together with ribbon or twine.