15 Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Desserts to Save Your Sanity (2024)

Double Layer Pumpkin Cheesecake

An alternative to pumpkin pie, a double-layer pumpkin cheesecake actually tastes better when it gets a chance to chill out in the fridge for two or three days. When the kitchen gets busy during the holidays with other dishes to prepare, Jill C. likes to swap out the pumpkin purée and spices called for in the recipe with a can of pumpkin pie filling, saying it "boosts the pumpkin flavor overall" and saves prep time. After baking the cheesecake, let it cool completely before freezing it on a sheet pan. When it's frozen, wrap it in freezer wrap and store it in the freezer for up to four months.

Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

For the best flavor, moist and lightly spiced pumpkin bars should be kept refrigerated for a few days before serving, which makes them ideal for a make-ahead dessert. If you don't have a jelly roll pan, Jamie A. says the recipes also work great in a 9x13-inch baking pan. Just make sure to add 10 minutes of bake time so the cake is cooked all the way through. You could freeze the bars after frosting them if you freeze them on a baking sheet until the frosting is hard, then wrap well and stick them back in the freezer.

Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti

Not only do these biscotti wear their winter holiday colors proudly, but these are also the kind of cookies that taste even better if they have a few days to dry out before serving. Suzanne likes to swap out the pistachios with slivered almonds and add about one teaspoon of orange zest. Remember, if you are using salted pistachios, almonds, or any other nut, make sure to leave out the salt in the recipe.

Pumpkin Pie Bread Pudding

This recipe is a combination of two classics — pumpkin pie and bread pudding — baked in a 9x13-inch pan, making it perfect for a crowd. After the bread pudding is baked and cooled, wrap it tightly and freeze it for up to one month. Let it defrost in the refrigerator overnight then warm it the oven or microwave right before serving. For extra lusciousness, serve it with whipped cream, cinnamon ice cream, or a dessert sauce poured over top.

Crustless Cranberry Pie

Cranberries can do so much more than just sauce, and this easy and unique cranberry pie freezes beautifully. It's full of Thanksgiving flavor yet offers a nice change from the norm and makes a nice addition to your Thanksgiving dessert table. Allow the pie to cool completely after baking, then wrap in plastic wrap and then foil. Place in the freezer for up to one month and defrost overnight in the fridge.

Apple Pie by Grandma Ople

Prepare this recipe up until the baking directions, then wrap it in three layers of plastic wrap and a layer of foil. Pop it into your freezer up to two weeks before the main event. When you're ready for dessert, preheat the oven, unwrap the pie, and bake it following recipe instructions, but add an additional 20 to 40 minutes because you're starting from frozen. It's best to use a metal pie dish, as glass dishes may shatter when they go straight from the freezer to the oven.

Pumpkin Cake

Delicately spiced and full of pumpkin flavor this cake can be baked in a sheet pan (as per the directions) or in a decorative Bundt pan (with a few extra minutes baking time). Either way, once it's completely cool, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and freeze it up to a month. When you're ready to eat, let it defrost on the counter for a few hours before slicing and serving. ABORSEN likes to whip up a batch of Cream Cheese Frosting a few days before and top the cake right before grabbing a slice.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Your average chocolate chip cookie just got a lot tastier and more festive with the addition of canned pumpkin and cinnamon. Tori Howell likes to add a few additional spices, like cloves, ginger, and nutmeg to make the cookies even more pie-like. You can either bake and freeze the cooled cookies, letting them come to room temperature about 15 minutes before serving. Or, freeze the cookie dough and bake them fresh right before your holiday gathering.

Chef John's Pumpkin Pie

No Thanksgiving celebration would be complete without pumpkin pie, and this recipe is no exception. If you don't have Chinese five-spice powder on hand (or can't find it at the store), jcfrk01 suggests you use just a touch of cinnamon, allspice, or pumpkin pie spice. Once the pie is completely cool, cover the top with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge for up to three days before serving.

• How to Freeze Pumpkin Pie

Best Toffee Ever

When stored in an airtight container at room temperature, homemade toffee can be kept for up to two weeks. If your kitchen runs warm, pop the toffee in the fridge to keep it a little longer. Making toffee can be a bit tricky, so recipe reviewer Megan Orsini always tests her candy thermometer in boiling water (212 degrees F) to make sure it is accurate.

Easy Pumpkin Cream Trifle

This top-rated trifle layers spiced pumpkin cake, whipped cheesecake-flavored filling, and a crumbly pecan and toffee topping. Make this dessert up to three days in advance, storing it in the fridge. And because it's served chilled, it takes no extra effort on Thanksgiving.

• 18 Quick and Easy Thanksgiving Dessert Ideas

Sweet Potato Pie

This top-rated recipe calls for using freshly-cooked sweet potatoes, which you'll have time to do since you're not in a time crunch. (OK, you can substitute canned sweet potatoes if you need to.) Once the pie has been baked and cooled, wrap it in several layers of plastic wrap and a layer of foil, and then freeze it for up to one month. Thaw it in the fridge overnight and serve at room temperature, or warm it in a 350 degree F oven for a few minutes. Top it off with fresh whipped cream before serving.

Caramel Pecan Pie

Doftharose and many other reviewers suggest skipping the wrapped caramels and saving time by using caramel ice cream topping. Once the pie is set and completely cooled, you can keep it in the fridge for two days or freeze it, tightly wrapped in plastic wrap, for two weeks. For fresh-baked flavor, defrost the pie overnight in the fridge then warm it for 10 to 15 minutes in a 350 degree F oven right before serving.

• All Thanksgiving Pie Recipes

Aunt Teen's Creamy Chocolate Fudge

Homemade fudge just might be the perfect make-ahead dessert, no matter what the season. Rich, smooth, and creamy, it can be tightly wrapped and kept in the freezer for a few months. Reviewer HSMOM26 says, "The secret is to use a candy thermometer to be sure the fudge reaches the softball stage (234 degrees F)."

• 15 Favorite Chocolate Thanksgiving Desserts

Peanut Butter Pie

You can make this Peanut Butter Pie, toppings and all, and store it in the fridge for up to three days. Or, take a cue from reviewer MARPRINC and leave the toppings for Thanksgiving Day: "To make this even more decadent, freeze the pie after you spoon the filling in the crust. After it is frozen solid, add a layer of hot fudge sauce before adding the whipped topping." Let the frozen pie stand at room temperature about 15 minutes before serving.

More Inspiration

Our entire collection of Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes has more to inspire you, plus check out:

• Pictured: Sweet Potato Cupcakes With Toasted Marshmallow Frosting
• Mini Thanksgiving Desserts for a Sweet Holiday
• 5 Things You Should Absolutely Do Ahead for Thanksgiving