Make-ahead dessert recipes

You can make these dessert recipes in advance, then add the finishing touches to serve them on the day – perfect to take some stress out of throwing a dinner party.

Showing 1-16 of 99 recipes

Filter This Page
Clear All
Save recipe icon Save recipe icon Save recipe
Chocolate and caramel popcorn trifle

Chocolate and caramel popcorn trifle

Trifle can be an epic undertaking, but this crunchy chocolate and caramel popcorn trifle, despite...

Gluten-free Vegetarian Make-ahead
  • Effort icon Easy
Save recipe icon Save recipe icon Save recipe
Frozen thandai semifreddo meringue cake

Frozen thandai semifreddo meringue cake

Ravinder Bhogal’s spectacular frozen thandai semifreddo meringue cake is perfect for a big Diwali gathering...

Gluten-free Vegetarian
  • Effort icon Easy
Save recipe icon Save recipe icon Save recipe
Lindor white chocolate and passion fruit cheesecake

Lindor white chocolate and passion fruit cheesecake

For a truly decadent festive dessert, top our delicious white chocolate cheesecake with passion fruit,...

Make-ahead
  • Effort icon Easy
Save recipe icon Save recipe icon Save recipe
After Eights chocolate tart

After Eights chocolate tart

Give chocolate tart a festive upgrade with After Eights. A crisp pastry base is filled...

Vegetarian Make-ahead
  • Effort icon Easy
Save recipe icon Save recipe icon Save recipe
Terry’s Chocolate Orange cream pie

Terry’s Chocolate Orange cream pie

Looking for an easy make-ahead Christmas dessert? Try our luscious chocolate orange cream pie, with...

Make-ahead
  • Effort icon Easy
Save recipe icon Save recipe icon Save recipe
Cranberry pavlova with sorbet

Cranberry pavlova with sorbet

Can’t face Christmas pud after the big dinner? Our cranberry pavlova is the perfect counterpoint...

Vegetarian Make-ahead
  • Effort icon Easy
Save recipe icon Save recipe icon Save recipe
Chocolate tahini ruffle pie

Chocolate tahini ruffle pie

Inspired by the Greek dessert galatopita, our chocolate and tahini ruffle filo pie combines a...

Vegetarian Make-ahead
  • Effort icon Easy
Save recipe icon Save recipe icon Save recipe
Hazelnut tiramisu cheesecake

Hazelnut tiramisu cheesecake

A hazelnut and dark chocolate biscuit base, creamy cheesecake and boozy coffee syrup: there’s lots...

Make-ahead
  • Effort icon Easy
Save recipe icon Save recipe icon Save recipe
Galvin brothers’ classic apple tarte tatin

Sponsored by Yeo Valley Organic

Galvin brothers’ classic apple tarte tatin

Learn how to make perfect tartin tatin with our recipe from Chris and Jeff Galvin....

Make-ahead
  • Effort icon Easy
Save recipe icon Save recipe icon Save recipe
Cherry and rosé sorbet with cherry compote and grilled madeira cake

Cherry and rosé sorbet with cherry compote and...

Dish up a beautiful summer dessert with a difference. Serve cherry and rosé sorbet and...

  • Effort icon Easy
Save recipe icon Save recipe icon Save recipe
Mango and cardamom creme brûlées

Mango and cardamom creme brûlées

Vivek Singh’s mango and cardamom crème brûlées are a delicious fusion of East meets West...

Make-ahead
  • Effort icon Easy
Save recipe icon Save recipe icon Save recipe
Margarita cheesecake with tequila strawberries

Margarita cheesecake with tequila strawberries

For a make-ahead cheesecake with a twist, try our incredible margarita cheesecake, with crushed pretzel...

Make-ahead
  • Effort icon Easy
Save recipe icon Save recipe icon Save recipe
Chocolate orange cake with Cointreau drizzle

Chocolate orange cake with Cointreau drizzle

Looking for a twist on the traditional Christmas cake. Step forward this chocolate orange cake...

  • Effort icon Easy
Save recipe icon Save recipe icon Save recipe
Crème caramels with caramel oranges

Crème caramels with caramel oranges

These vegan crème caramels with caramelised orange slices make a spectacular (and easy) dinner party...

Vegan
  • Effort icon Easy
Save recipe icon Save recipe icon Save recipe
Clementine, pomegranate and cranberry jelly

Clementine, pomegranate and cranberry jelly

We’ve combined festive flavours of clementine, pomegranate and cranberry to create this fruity Christmas jelly....

Dairy-free Gluten-free
  • Effort icon Easy
Save recipe icon Save recipe icon Save recipe
Russian honey biscuit cake

Russian honey biscuit cake

This Russian honey biscuit cake needs to be assembled at least 6 hours ahead of...

Make-ahead
  • Effort icon Medium
Save icon Save this collection

Subscribe to our magazine

Subscribe to delicious. magazine this month for a FREE cookbook

Subscribe

Download our digital version

Subscribe to the digital edition of delicious. magazine

Subscribe
Subscribe to the digital edition of delicious. magazine