It\u2019s not surprising that checking off elements of your meal ahead of time<\/a>\u2014especially a big meal like Thanksgiving<\/a>\u2014is a good idea.<\/p>\n Dessert, in particular, is easy to make in advance. Cakes, cookies, and cheesecakes come together with greater success when there\u2019s less immediate pressure, meaning you’ll have better desserts and more energy (and oven space) to devote to more pressing matters<\/a> day of.<\/p>\n Here are 25 desserts to make in advance and pull out of your freezer the day before Thanksgiving (or Christmas). Be sure to consult Alice Medrich\u2019s Guide to Freezing Baked Goods<\/a> for more specifics on freezing.<\/p>\n Make the entire cake ahead of time, but be sure to wrap it very well in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn.<\/p>\n Assemble the sandwiches, place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and wrap in several layers of plastic wrap. Thaw for a few minutes at room temperature before serving.<\/p>\n Bake the cake and let it cool completely, then wrap it in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag. Defrost in the bag, at room temperature.<\/p>\n Shape the dough into a log as usual, wrap it well, and seal in a freezer bag. Thaw it in the fridge (in the bag) then let the dough warm up at room temperature for a few minutes until pliable enough to slice without cracking. Slice and bake as usual.<\/p>\n Make the cakes ahead and cool them completely. Wrap them in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Thaw the cakes in the bag, at room temperature. When you’re ready to serve, make the filling and ganache and assemble the cake.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Make the cake layers ahead of time, let them cool completely, then wrap in plastic wrap and seal in freezer bags. Whip up the cream cheese frosting when you’re ready to serve.<\/p>\n Bake, let cool completely, wrap in plastic wrap…you know the drill.<\/p>\n This three-ingredient dessert is meant to be frozen. Just be sure to thaw it for 10 minutes before serving to prevent brain freeze.<\/p>\n Once the cheesecake has cooled completely, unmold the sides of the springform pan. Wrap the whole cake, along with the base of the pan, with several layers of plastic wrap, then cover with aluminum foil. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.<\/p>\n Not only can you make this cheesecake in advance\u2014it almost asks that you make it in advance so the creamy PB filling can set. Also, since this is an Instant Pot cheesecake, it helps to not have to use the oven during the busy baking season, especially when you don’t have to. Win, win.<\/p>\n This may be ice cream, but that doesn’t mean you should reserve it for summer. For recipe author EmilyC<\/a>, it’s an all-year dessert. \u201cWe compare all other desserts against it,\u201d she says, \u201cand nothing, ever, has measured up.\u201d<\/p>\n This Big Little recipe from Emma Laperruque doesn’t ask you to turn on the oven\u2014and it’s perfect for making ahead, as the gelatin-set pumpkin mousse filling needs time in the fridge to come to texture and temperature.<\/p>\n This ice cream couldn’t be easier to make, and is exactly what you need atop all your other pies and cakes and cookies. There isn’t a single egg in the custard, which is actually what makes it creamy as can be.<\/p>\n Or maybe pumpkin’s more your speed?<\/p>\n Whip up this original take on a seasonal loaf cake, cool completely, then wrap in plastic and place in a freezer bag. Make the glaze the day before or day of (while the cake is defrosting), and drizzle generously just before serving.<\/p>\n Ginger is thought to aid digestion, which makes this perfect for the end of a big Thanksgiving meal. Bake the cake, cool completely and wrap snugly in a few layers of plastic wrap, then wrap in a final layer of foil and stash in the freezer until the big day. Defrost at room temperature and top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.<\/p>\n Favorite fall flavors Guinness and pear cider join forces to add flavor and moisture to this cocktail-inspired cake. Bake, cool, wrap in plastic frap, and freeze in a freezer bag, and make the cream cheese frosting the day before or day of.<\/p>\n Introduce guests to this seasonal variation on a beloved classic by making it ahead of time (minus the demerara sugar on top), cooling completely, wrapping the dish tightly in plastic wrap with a final foil layer, freezing, defrosting thoroughly, sprinkling with sugar, and finishing in then oven to get that irresistable sweet, crispy crust.<\/p>\n Swap in rich, earthy walnuts for the almond flour in these delicious fall-inspired financiers infused with a hint of Thanksgiving-friendly sage. Cool the financiers, then store in an airtight container overnight before transferring to freezer bags. Defrost completely at room temperature, and reheat briefly before deserving (if desired).<\/p>\n The basic formula for carrot cake translates wonderfully to fellow fall root vegetable parsnips. Cool the cake completely, then wrap in plastic and place in a freezer bag. The simple maple glaze comes together in no time at all\u2014drizzle after thawing and bring your meal to a memorable end.<\/p>\n \u201cThis ice cream has its ratios down perfectly,\u201d writes our editors. \u201cThe base is rich, creamy, custardy, the pretzels salty and bitter-sweet, the ideal mixture of the two on every spoonful.\u201d<\/p>\n Inspired by recipe developer Carolina Gelen\u2019s favorite morning beverage\u2014cardamom coffee\u2014this decadent, silky semifreddo is a low-effort, high-reward dessert fit for any holiday. Like ice cream, you can keep semifreddo in the freezer for up to two months in an airtight container.<\/p>\n There\u2019s two reasons to love these salty, sweet chocolate sorbet sandwiches (which you can freeze separately). One, they\u2019re delicious\u2014the combination of salty focaccia and bittersweet chocolate is pitch perfect. Two, if you double the focaccia recipe, you\u2019ll have the perfect vessel for your leftover turkey sandwich.<\/p>\n This recreation of Royce\u2019s Nama chocolate truffles are a great make-ahead and freeze option, says Test Kitchen Director Allison Buford, who recommends refreshing with more cocoa powder once defrosted overnight in the fridge.<\/p>\n1. Chocolate Coffee Ice Cream Cake<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n2. Chocolate & Olive Oil Ice Cream Sandwiches<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n3. Brown Sugar Pound Cake<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n4. Pierre Herm\u00e9’s & Dorie Greenspan’s World Peace Cookies<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n5. Viennese Sachertorte<\/a>
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6. Caroline’s Carrot Cake<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n7. Almost Flourless Chocolate Cake<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n8. Scoops Ice Cream Pumpkin Pie<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n9. Pumpkin Cheesecake With Gingersnap Crust<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n10. Instant Pot Peanut Butter Cheesecake With Chocolate Crust<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n11. Oreo Dessert<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n12. No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n13. No-Churn Ice Cream With Vanilla Bean & Scotch<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n14. No-Churn Pumpkin Ice Cream<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n15. Brown Butter and Butternut Loaf<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n16. Ginger Apple Torte<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n17. The Snake Bite<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n18. Persimmon Walnut Bread Pudding<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n19. Walnut Sage Financiers<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n20. Spiced Parsnip Cake<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n21. Malted Vanilla Ice Cream with Chocolate-Covered Pretzels<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n22. Coffee Cardamom Semifreddo<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n23. Chocolate Sorbet and Focaccia Ice Cream Sandwiches<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n24. Nama Chocolate Recipe<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n25. Pie Crust<\/a>
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