Dessert

43 Make-Ahead Desserts for Effortless Entertaining

These desserts mean one less thing to worry about at your next gathering.
A cheesecake with peach and cream cheese filling and a wheat thin crust on a serving plate with two slices and a bowl of...
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Susan Kim

Make-ahead desserts are pretty much the only dinner party desserts we consider when we're planning a gathering; when friends are together, we don't want to miss out on the conversation because we're hidden in the kitchen fussing with last-minute prep. The recipes below, which include a few no-bake desserts, also give you a way to avoid cranking your oven in the heat of the afternoon. You'll find crowd-pleasing frozen desserts, cakes that actually taste better as they sit, and creamy prep-ahead cheesecakes that seem to appear miraculously just as the dinner dishes are cleared. Scroll down so you can prep these sweets in advance, focus on the rest of your menu, and settle in for a good time.

  • A Philly fluff cake on a plate being sliced to serve.
    Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich
    1/43

    Philly Fluff Cake

    A lot of cake recipes count as make-ahead desserts—they don't need to be served hot out of the pan. But a Philly Fluff might be even better the day after it's made, since the flavor concentrates and the crumb softens nicely.

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  • Photo by Andrew Purcell, Prop Styling by Paige Hicks, Food Styling by Carrie Purcell
    2/43

    Lemon Curd Tart With Olive Oil

    Olive oil in the crust gives this tart's shell a rich, crumbly texture. But the tangy lemon curd, which needs at least two hours in the fridge to set, will really steal the show.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Molly Baz
    3/43

    3-Ingredient Fudge Pops

    Better than store-bought, but as easy as easy desserts could be.

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  • Ellen Silverman
    4/43

    Banana Pudding

    Boxed pudding mix is fine, but homemade custard makes this banana pudding truly special. Prep it up to a few days in advance, and just add the crumble before serving.

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  • Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Stevie Stewart
    5/43

    Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake

    The best graham cracker crust for a pre-ahead cheesecake starts by browning your butter. A swirl of raspberry purée adds tangy flavor. Active prep time here is under an hour, and it can all happen earlier in the day or up to three days in advance.

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  • Photo by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Yekaterina Boystova
    6/43

    Panna Cotta

    This classic, simple prep-ahead dessert can paired with any fruit that's in season—or shavings of chocolate if you prefer.

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  • Photo by Louise Hagger
    7/43

    Tamarind Caramel Brownies

    These swirled brownies harness the tangy-sweet power of tamarind caramel.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Nathaniel James, Food Styling by Simon Andrews
    8/43

    Chocolate Mousse

    This restaurant-worthy chocolate mousse first appeared in the December 2002 issue of Gourmet, and it's been a reader favorite ever since.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Simon Andrews
    19/43

    Frozen Margarita Pie

    Tart, creamy, and boozy—this is your favorite summer cocktail in pie form.

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  • Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Samantha Seneviratne and Jason Schreiber
    20/43

    Lebkuchen

    Ever heard of aging your cookies? These German spiced honey bars benefit from a rest before baking—and they taste best at least two weeks after they're cooked.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Katherine Sacks
    21/43

    Diner-Style Rice Pudding

    Comfort in a bowl, coming right up. Swirl in some molasses at the end, or top with a dusting of nutmeg.

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  • Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich
    22/43

    Chocolate Pots de Crème

    These chocolate pots look fancy, but making them is a cinch—and all the work happens up to two days ahead.

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  • Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Emilie Fosnocht
    23/43

    Tiramisu

    This old school dessert is a classic for a reason—everyone simply loves it. Serve with frozen amaro to really wow your guests.

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  • Photo by Roland Bello
    24/43

    Lemon Ice Cream Sandwiches with Blueberry Swirl

    Meet your new go-to make-ahead treat: Chewy blondie cookies bookend a thick layer of lemony ice cream (store-bought vanilla bumped up with lemon juice and zest) ribboned with a quick blueberry compote.

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  • Photo by Alana Kysar and Brooklyn Dombroski
    29/43

    Butter Mochi

    This cake is perfectly chewy, slightly sticky, buttery and coconutty. In another word: perfection.

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  • Photo by Rachel Tolosa Paz
    30/43

    Chocotorta

    This no-bake wonder brings together dulce de leche, cream cheese, cocoa powder, chocolate cookies, and a simple chocolate ganache.

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