Make-ahead Christmas dessert recipes

Get ahead at Christmas with this showstopping cake boasting white chocolate, cherries and festive spice. You can bake the sponges, meringues and biscuits the day before assembling

Try this ultimate make-ahead dessert for Christmas: meringue, white chocolate, cream and cherries are combined to make a luscious centrepiece

Enjoy these festively red, rich and fudgy brownies swirled with a tangy cheesecake filling. They're perfect treat when you have guests over at Christmas

Give this Mexican-inspired cake a festive twist using ginger and cinnamon. The cake is soaked in a trio of sweetened milks, then topped with whipped cream

Indulge in these soft and squidgy Christmas cookies with moreish mincemeat flavours. Make ahead and freeze, then simply pop in the oven when guests arrive

Make some homemade nougat studded with pistachio chunks. Add in other festive goodies and wrap up in a presentation box for a thoughtful Christmas gift

Mix up your festive dessert course with an all-in-one sweet feast to share, with peppermint tiffin, gingerbread-spice doughnuts, mini meringues and more

Take inspiration from a classic winter cocktail to create these mini pavlovas flavoured with whisky, pear and spices

Make this frozen dessert up to two days ahead of serving so you can spend more time with your guests. It’s sure to impress at a Christmas gathering

Bring the comforting flavours and textures of apple crumble to a Christmas trifle. Prep ahead so all you need to do is assemble it on the day

Try this easy no-bake dessert which uses just five ingredients. As well as looking great as a centrepiece, it's easy to carry to a gathering.

Delight guests with a pistachio twist on tiramisu, with a pistachio cream filling and pistachio topping. It's a perfect dessert for a dinner party

Christmas celebrations are not complete without a classic trifle. This stunning dessert recipe features layers of madeira sponge, fruit jelly, custard and cream

You can make this no-cook tiramisu ahead to save on time when hosting a party. Made with Irish cream liqueur, it's a truly grown-up dessert

Try these peanut butter and jam cheesecake squares. We’ve chosen a fruit topping, but you could opt for chocolate – turning it into a giant peanut butter cup.

Try our take on this classic dessert from the States – it's ideal for making ahead, topped with sesame brittle for a stunning centrepiece pud

Turn stollen into bite-size treats. With squidgy, sweet bread studded with fruit and wrapped in marzipan, it’s easy to see why this German bake is so popular.

Update the traditional Christmas pud to include more of what you love - cherries, almonds and figs are a feature of this pudding and make it super special

Make a simplified version of our magical meringue Christmas tree, using shop-bought meringues assembled in a tree shape, then decorated with white chocolate

Challenge budding little MasterChefs to create this chocolate hazelnut yule log decorated with meringue mushrooms. It's a perfect Christmas centrepiece.