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Dana Gallagher
There are many reasons you might need a make-ahead dessert: You’re going to a potluck right after work, you’re hosting dinner and need to get something done in advance, or (our favorite) you like to have a treat on hand to serve family and friends just because. Luckily, many desserts are make-ahead, like pretty much any cookie, or cheesecake and flan, which need enough time to set. Let this tempting selection of make-ahead desserts inspire you the next time you need to prepare something sweet.
Raspberry and Chocolate-Hazelnut Crepe Cake
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This showstopping dessert takes a while to put together, but you need to do it in advance, then let it chill. In fact, you can make the crepes up to a day ahead of putting the dessert together, then make the raspberry and chocolate-hazelnut fillings and assemble the cake at least eight hours ahead of serving, or as much as two days ahead.
Crème Caramel
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These individual crème caramels can be made as far as three days ahead. The classic French dessert holds up wonderfully, as does its cousin, flan.
Cranberry Trifle
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Trifle is a busy host's best friend. It looks fancy but is simple to prepare. All you need to do is layer cake (store-bought is fine) with fruit, whipped cream, and other surprises to create a show-stopping treat. And it needs to be made ahead to allow the flavors to mingle. Just be sure you have enough room in your refrigerator for the dish.
Traditional Tres Leches Cake
It's rare to meet a cake that actually gets better a day later, so let's take a moment to appreciate the fact that the ultra-moist tres leche cake is a make-ahead miracle.
Apple Pie Bread Pudding
There isn't a stale piece of bread out there that has ever suffered from spending too much time soaking up the sweet, eggy custard that comprises a good bread pudding. Assemble this apple-y dessert casserole the day before and put it in the fridge so that the next day's task will be reduced to just preheating the oven.
Chewy Brownies
Bake a batch of these perfectly chewy brownies to share with friends or enjoy throughout the week. They're a treat that tastes as good several days later as when they were first made.
Marbled Soufflés
If you're thinking that there's no way a soufflé can be made ahead of time, then you're half right. With this recipe, you'll get a head start on the airy dessert and be saying, "voilà!" in no time by making the base of thickened milk and egg yolks ahead, then baking them right before serving.
Butter Pecan Blondies
These favorite bar cookies are always met with great acclaim and made with (mostly) pantry staples. You can bake them a couple of days ahead. Another option is to freeze them.
Blueberry-Cheesecake Icebox Cake
Another make-ahead treat that only gets better as it sits, icebox cakes couldn't be easier to assemble. Graham crackers are layered with a cream cheese filling and homemade blueberry sauce. The whole cake freezes for at least 4 hours before serving.
Pumpkin-Chocolate Cheesecake
Dana Gallagher
Make this spectacular cheesecake the night before you want to serve it. The chocolate-caramel glaze is a last-minute addition before serving. (You can skip it but we think it's worth the effort.)
Martha's Warm Chocolate Pudding Cakes
Whip up the batter for these warm little cakes the day before, then pop them in the oven about an hour before it is officially dessert o'clock.
Peach Cobblers
These individual cobblers are a different type of make-ahead dessert. Prepare and bake them, then freeze them in their ramekins. Then, when you want to cozy up to this classic dessert, pop one or two in the toaster oven before sitting down for dinner, and it'll be ready come dessert time.
Easiest Rice Pudding
Rice pudding wins for nostalgia and the fact that it's easier to make than pie and can be kept on hand for days is all the more reason to put this recipe on your radar.
Cranberry-Swirl Cheesecake
Pretty much all cheesecakes are make-ahead, but this one stands out for its top-notch contrast of tart cranberry sauce swirled into the rich cream cheese custard.
Vanilla Pudding Pie
The cookie crust will stay crunchy—and the custard filling smooth—for days in the fridge, so you make this treat well in advance.
Triple-Chocolate Brownie Cups
Ready for travel and sure to delight, these elevated brownies have all the gooey chocolate brownie flavor you love times three. And, they're already portioned out in cupcake papers, so they are easy to share.
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