Welcome to Make Ahead Holidays, where I show you how I prep and bake my holiday desserts in advance to save time and stress.
Make Ahead Thanksgiving
I love to prep my Thanksgiving desserts in advance so that I can spend less time in the kitchen and more time with my family on Thanksgiving Day. Bonus: it frees up much-needed oven space! Here are my favorite make-ahead recipes and tips for Thanksgiving:
Prep Pie Crust in Advance
I always make my pie crust ahead of time because it can chill in the fridge for 3 days or in the freezer for months before I'm ready to bake my pie. This article explains exactly how I prep and freeze my pie crust.Need a reliable pie crust recipe? This is my foolproof all-butter pie crust that I whip up in the food processor. It’s the only pie crust recipe I'll use because it's simple to make and easy to roll-out.
Get My Favorite Pie Crust Recipe
Bake Fruit Pies the Day Before
If you bake your fruit pies on Thanksgiving Day I want you to stop that right now! Fruit pies need to cool completely - like really, truly, fully - before you cut into them so that the fruit filling can set. Otherwise you'll end up with runny slices. Baking your fruit pie, like this apple cranberry crumb pie, the day before Thanksgiving gives the pie plenty of time to cool and set before you dig in.
Apple Cranberry Crumb Pie Recipe
No-Bake Chocolate Mousse Pie
This no-bake chocolate mousse pie can be made up to 4 days ahead of time and hang out in the fridge until you're ready to serve dessert. The simple no-bake chocolate cookie crust, silky chocolate mousse filling, and not-too-sweet stabilized whipped cream topping will have your guests asking for seconds!
No-Bake Chocolate Mousse Pie Recipe
Pumpkin Pie Cookie Cups
These mini cookie cups are filled with real pumpkin pie filling and just as delicious as the real thing, but you don't have to mess around with pie crust. Make them a day or two ahead of time and store them in the fridge until Thanksgiving!
Pumpkin Pie Cookie Cups Recipe
Cinnamon Sugar Candied Almonds
These easy candied almonds can be made months ahead of time and stored in the freezer until you're ready to enjoy! They're the perfect addition to a pre-dinner cheese board or the dessert table, and they make an incredible hostess gift!
Candied Almonds Recipe
Make Ahead Christmas
Coming soon!