14 Thanksgiving Desserts to Make Ahead (& Freeze!) Right Now

It's almost Thanksgiving! Have you signed up for our newsletter yet? Leading up to the big day, get all the best tips from Food52 editors right to your inbox. Today, we're helping you get ahead with the one part of the meal that almost ASKS that you make it in advance: dessert.

While it may be news that you can freeze baked pies, it's certainly not news that checking off elements of your meal—especially a big meal like, say, Thanksgiving—ahead of time is a really really good idea.

Dessert, in particular, lends itself to be making a week in advance. A spectacular failure in the twelfth hour (when guests are at the table, expecting something onto which to plop whipped cream), cakes, cookies, and cheesecakes come together with greater success when there's less immediate pressure. You'll have better desserts—and more energy (and oven space) to devote to more pressing matters.

Here are 13 desserts to make right now and pull out of your freezer the day before Thanksgiving (or Christmas!). Be sure to consult Alice Medrich's Guide to Freezing Baked Goods for more specifics on freezing.

1. Chocolate Coffee Ice Cream Cake by Yossy Arefi

Make the entire cake ahead of time, but be sure to wrap it very well in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn.

2. Chocolate & Olive Oil Ice Cream Sandwiches by Yossy Arefi

Assemble the sandwiches, place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and wrap in several layers of plastic wrap. Thaw for a few minutes at room temperature before serving.

3. Brown Sugar Pound Cake by Yossy Arefi

Bake the cake and let it cool completely, then wrap it in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag. Defrost in the bag, at room temperature.

4. Pierre Hermé's & Dorie Greenspan's World Peace Cookies by Genius Recipes 

Shape the dough into a log as usual, wrap it well, and seal in a freezer bag. Thaw it in the fridge (in the bag) then let the dough warm up at room temperature for a few minutes until pliable enough to slice without cracking. Slice and bake as usual.

5. Viennese Sachertorte by Yossy Arefi

Make the cakes ahead and cool them completely. Wrap them in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Thaw the cakes in the bag, at room temperature. When you're ready to serve, make the filling and ganache and assemble the cake.

6. Classic Carrot Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting by Yossy Arefi

Make the cake layers ahead of time, let them cool completely, then wrap in plastic wrap and seal in freezer bags. Whip up the cream cheese frosting when you're ready to serve.

7. Almost Flourless Chocolate Cake by Kenzi Wilbur 

Bake, let cool completely, wrap in plastic wrap...you know the drill.

8. Scoops Ice Cream Pumpkin Pie by Food52

This three-ingredient dessert is meant to be frozen. Just be sure to thaw it for 10 minutes before serving to prevent brain freeze.

9. Pumpkin Cheesecake With Gingersnap Crust by Food52

Once the cheesecake has cooled completely, unmold the sides of the springform pan. Wrap the whole cake, along with the base of the pan, with several layers of plastic wrap, then cover with aluminum foil. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. 

10. Instant Pot Peanut Butter Cheesecake With Chocolate Crust

Not only can you make this cheesecake in advance—it almost asks that you make it in advance so the creamy PB filling can set. Also, since this is an Instant Pot cheesecake, it helps to not have to use the oven during the busy baking season, especially when you don't have to. Win, win.

11. Oreo Dessert

This may be ice cream, but that doesn't mean you should reserve it for summer. For recipe author EmilyC, it's an all-year dessert. "We compare all other desserts against it," she says, "and nothing, ever, has measured up."

12. No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

This Big Little recipe from Emma Laperruque doesn't ask you to turn on the oven—and it's perfect for making ahead, as the gelatin-set pumpkin mousse filling needs time in the fridge to come to texture and temperature.

13. No-Churn Ice Cream With Vanilla Bean & Scotch

This ice cream couldn't be easier to make, and is exactly what you need atop all your other pies and cakes and cookies. There isn't a single egg in the custard, which is actually what makes it creamy as can be.

14. No-Churn Pumpkin Ice Cream

Or maybe pumpkin's more your speed?

What desserts will you be making ahead of Thanksgiving dinner? Share with us in the comments!