Easy Make-Ahead Desserts for the Holidays

If you’re hosting dinner for the holidays and want your desserts made before your family and friends arrive, you’re in the right place.

I’m Judy, a 71-year-old home baker behind Pie Lady Bakes. I became a big fan of make-ahead desserts when I started to host holiday dinners myself. One less thing to think about.

But these no-bake desserts still need planning. How many days ahead you can make the dessert, which ones freeze well and how to keep your whipped cream from weeping.

Here are my favourite six no-bake desserts you can make a day or two ahead. They do take up space in the fridge, but your oven stays free for the turkey, sides and maybe another pie or two!

Watch the video 🎥

You can watch me make all six in this video.

The 6 desserts

1. Pecan Pie Lasagna

• Why I love it: I’m a big fan of 9X13 pan recipes, especially dessert lasagnas. They come together so easily, and this one gives you all the delicious flavors of pecan pie without the work.
• Make it: You can make it up to 2 days ahead
• Keep it: In your fridge covered.
• Before serving: Drizzle on some caramel sauce!

2. No-Bake Pumpkin Pie

• Why I love it: The filling is so light and creamy, with just the right amount of spice.
• Make it: You can make your pie up to 3 days ahead
• Keep it: Covered in the fridge until you are ready to serve
• Before serving: I love to add a dollop of whipped cream before serving and ice cream works too!

3. Cherry Cheesecake Pie

• Why I love it: A classic recipe with simple ingredients and it makes up in minutes. This is my sweetie’s #1 dessert choice every time. It’s also a dessert that travels well if you’ve been asked to contribute!
• Make it: Up to four days ahead of time.
• Keep it: covered in the fridge up to four days
• Before serving: Let is stand for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

4. Lemon Tart

• Why I love it: Such a refreshing, light dessert, perfect after a holiday meal. Easy to make, the fresh lemons really enhance the flavours, and the graham cracker crust gives it an extra crunch.
• Make it: up to two days ahead
• Keep it: in the fridge, loosely covered with plastic wrap
• Before serving: you can add whipped cream, but we love ours plain.

5. Grasshopper Pie

• Why I love it: It’s a bit nostalgic for me. This is one of the first recipes I made and posted on Pie Lady Bakes. It’s got all the feels. Mint chocolate, a creamy filling and little zip with the liqueurs!
• Make it: You can make it up to two days ahead.
• Keep it: covered in the fridge for up to two days.
• Before serving: Add whipped cream if you wish, but it really doesn’t need it.

6. Tiramisu

• Why I love it: It’s such an elegant dessert, the rich blend of coffee and chocolate flavours and one of the easiest recipes you’ll ever make.
• Make it: One day before
• Keep it: Chilled in the fridge covered with plastic wrap
• Before serving: You could add some whipped cream, but it really doesn’t need it!

Make-ahead timeline

A quick table to help you plan

When	What to do
2 + days before	No-Bake Pumpkin, Pecan Pie Lasagna, Lemon Tart
1-2 day before	Tiramisu, Grasshopper Pie, Cherry Cheesecake Pie
The day of	Add toppings, then serve

Helpful information….

How far ahead can I make no-bake desserts?

It really depends on the ingredients in the recipe, so check the recommendation there first. I’ve also made a chart for you above for the recipes in this post.

How do I keep whipped cream from weeping?

For really stiff whipped cream, use a stabilizer product like instant pudding mix, gelatin or a stablizer product like Dr. Oetker’s Whip It. You can also use cream of tartar, but I find that’s better for meringue. I’m a pretty big fan of using ready products now like Whip It.

Can I freeze them?

The no-bake pumpkin pie can freeze, but anything with cream cheese or mascarpone in it won’t freeze well.