Make ahead desserts

[BooEekCackle]

We are hosting Christmas lunch again and I do not want to spend all day in the kitchen as I usually end up doing.

Can anyone recommend a Christmas dessert that can be made 1-2 days ahead. Not Christmas pudding as everyone has decided they want something else.

Pavlova- just whip cream and add.
Sticky toffee pud
Trifle
Tiramisu
Cheesecake

In fact most puddings lend themselves to make ahead

I am going to do either trifle or panda cottas as we do not want pudding either

I'm doing a semifreddo which is in the GH get ahead for Christmas magazine.

A Yule log which is covered fully in buttercream icing last for several days uncut,

We did a Pannacotta one year, the cream is done fast and sets overnight. No reheating or anything. We just kept it out of the fridge for an hour before eating to take the chill away.

If you've got room in your freezer, this winter ice cream bombe is highly recommended www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/fruit-recipes/winter-pudding-bombe/
I served this Ferraro Rocher cheesecake for New Year last year and it came out very well. I added gold sprinkles just before serving. www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/no-bake-chocolate-hazelnut-cheesecake I also served a Baileys cheesecake once but can't find the recipe.
Speaking of Bailey's, I want to try this Baileys tiramisu one day! www.olivemagazine.com/recipes/entertain/baileys-tiramisu/
Black Forest gateau www.bbc.com/food/recipes/marys_black_forest_gteau_47151
Lemon meringue pie

Honestly? It’s the one part of Christmas dinner I buy. It’s too busy and my fridge is too full to be making desserts.

I'd buy a nice citrus-y cheesecake.

I make an apple crumble on Xmas eve along with chocolate concrete (don’t ask it’s a tradition!) no one likes Xmas pud in our house. Make custard first thing on Xmas day and store in flask. Thick cream and we’re done.

I do an apple crumble (freeze the cooked apple and the crumble mix seperate) I put porridge oats in the crumble to make it chunkier .

Cheesecake - I do a baked cheesecake with pecans and toffee pieces

Chocolate brownie (to layer up in a sundae ) is always best made a couple of days ahead

Trifle can be made ahead until the cream, then just a couple of minutes to add that .

Key lime pie..easy peasy and very refreshing after a heavy dinner.

Alfie
How many Pandas do I need to put in the Panda Cotta?

There's a lovely melt in the middle chocolate pudding I normally make the day before and leave it in the fridge then it takes 10 mins in the oven - totally worth it!!!

Lemon souffle

Nigella's cointreau syllabub thing

Chocolate log

Sorry it's on bbc good food website

www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/8168/chocolate-fondant

Last year I ordered it from the local restaurant... no one even realised until I told them!

Alternatively can't a guest bring dessert?

I freeze a bag of crumble mix as well to use across the autumn/winter and it works really well. I sometimes freeze gluts of cooking apples already peeled and chopped, with brown sugar, cinnamon and raisins mixed in but not yet cooked. Both are then tipped out as needed into baking dishes, and maybe a handful of blackberries added if I have some.

Jamie Oliver’s chocolate tarts (he has both a baked and a chilled version) in his first book are great and can be made ahead.

Or a fresh fruit salad.

I usually buy puddings (only host alternate years). This year I'm thinking some sort of lemon and raspberry roulade and a fresh cream chocolate log. Definitely mince pies with baileys cream, ill probably have to buy a Christmas pud for mother in law too.

Chocolate orange cheesecake or torte as we have to call in as we have someone in the family who says he hates cheese but loves this as long as he doesn't find out! Btw not a dietary problem before I get shot down. Really easy.

Panettone bread and butter pudding is easy to do the day before and is the favourite in our family.

Was also going to say bread and butter pudding - my go to is a delia recipe that is better made up 1-2 days in advance then just shove in the oven while you're eating mains. It's a good recipe to customise too - I use brioche but don't butter, and add orange liqueur / cinnamon

@Roystonv do you have the recipe for the chocolate orange cheesecake pls? Sounds like my idea of heaven!

acunning just Google it and quite a few recipes come up

I'm going for an apple cinnamon crumble cheesecake with brandy caramel drizzle. The cheesecake will freeze, the crumble and caramel I'll make a couple of days in advance.

Can't you buy a nice frozen dessert, then defrost it on Christmas Day?

Iceland Black Forest Gateau Serves 6-8 600g
£2.00, takes 3 hours to defrost.

Delia;s Chocolate Truffle Torte - it is happy in fridge for a couple of days - or freezes well.