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These make ahead desserts are perfect for potlucks and weeknight treats. From cookies and brownies to cakes and pies, you’re sure to find a new favorite.

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It’s time to try new desserts! Why not make them at home this time instead of going for the usual store-bought options?
If you’re really busy, you can make them ahead so you can enjoy them in the days to come.
Most of these desserts actually turn out better when you let them rest overnight.
Peach Cobbler Egg Rolls
These rolls are made with canned peaches, brown sugar, cinnamon, butter, and other simple ingredients.
Serving them at a party? Stack them vertically in a mason jar for a fun grab-and-go treat.
Get The Recipe: Peach Cobbler Egg Rolls
Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookies
Tired of the classic chocolate chip cookies?
Why not add bacon to the recipe and see how irresistible they become? This version is ready in less than 30 minutes!
Get The Recipe: Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookies
Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches
Ice cream sandwiches are always a huge hit with both kids and adult guests.
These treats have the best texture and feature an irresistible caramel ice cream layer.
Get The Recipe: Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches
Strawberry Brownies
Craving something fruity and fudgy? These brownies are a fun option you can make anytime.
Make them ahead and store them in the fridge for up to four days.
Get The Recipe: Strawberry Brownies
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Dairy Free Lemon Bars
These lemon bars can bring a burst of sunshine to your dessert table.
Ingredients include fresh lemon juice, coconut milk, erythritol, turmeric, and cornstarch. They pair well with iced mint green tea!
Get The Recipe: Dairy Free Lemon Bars
Instant Pot Churro Bites
A mouthwatering dessert that isn’t too sweet? You’ve come to the right place!
These churro bites are soft and fluffy, made with brown sugar, cinnamon, milk, and unsalted butter.
Get The Recipe: Instant Pot Churro Bites
Baked Pumpkin Donut
Yes, you can bake donuts even as a newbie in the kitchen.
Try this pumpkin-flavored one first. They come with a cinnamon sugar topping everyone will love.
Get The Recipe: Baked Pumpkin Donut
Peanut Butter Balls with Rice Krispies
Peanut butter lovers, this dessert is for you!
These balls are made with salted butter, Rice Krispies, powdered sugar, semisweet chocolate chips, and of course, the creamiest peanut butter.
Get The Recipe: Peanut Butter Balls with Rice Krispies
Banana Pudding Cookies
This recipe brings all the nostalgic flavors of banana pudding in a smaller treat.
Make the dough balls ahead of time and just freeze them until you’re ready to bake (for up to a month!).
Get The Recipe: Banana Pudding Cookies
Mini Pecan Pies
If you love crunchy treats, look no further than these mini pecan pies.
They’re gooey and sweet, made with corn syrup, brown sugar, butter, vanilla extract, egg, and the highlight—chopped pecans!
Get The Recipe: Mini Pecan Pies
Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Truffles
Preparing for a sophisticated gathering? Make these truffles a part of your spread.
They’re surprisingly simple to make and pair well with dried fruits and coffee.
Get The Recipe: Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Truffles
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Apple Butter Cookies
These cookies are soft, spiced, and full of cozy fall flavors. You can make them any time of the year, of course!
They use apple butter, cinnamon, vanilla extract, cream of tartar, and other pantry staples.
Get The Recipe: Apple Butter Cookies
Japanese Cheesecake
Ready to make a delicious Japanese cotton cheesecake at home?
This delicate, cloud-like dessert is somewhere between sponge cake and cheesecake. It’s made with cream cheese and low-fat milk!
Get The Recipe: Japanese Cheesecake
Black Bean Brownie
Believe it or not, these plant-based brownies are made with black beans, oats, cocoa powder, and other simple, wholesome ingredients.
They’re perfect for guilt-free snacking.
Get The Recipe: Black Bean Brownie
Soft Sugar Cookies
Sugar cookies are ideal treats for everyday snacking and even for special occasions.
Try this recipe, use any cookie cutter shapes you like, and have fun exploring lots of exciting designs.
Get The Recipe: Soft Sugar Cookies
Vegan Thin Mints
These homemade vegan thin mints are crisp, chocolatey, and surprisingly easy to prep in advance.
If you’d like, you can even freeze them for up to three months!
Get The Recipe: Vegan Thin Mints
Carrot Sheet Cake
Carrot cake is such a popular dessert, and it’s time you try making it at home yourself.
This recipe is a great choice as you practice your decorating skills. Once done, top it with chopped walnuts or a light sprinkle of cinnamon.
Get The Recipe: Carrot Sheet Cake
Almond Flour Rhubarb Cookie Bars
Preparing desserts for a crowd? These cookie bars are so easy to make and serve.
Main ingredients include rhubarb, coconut sugar, almond butter, almond flour, and coconut shreds.
Get The Recipe: Almond Flour Rhubarb Cookie Bars
Almond Cake
This almond cake is lightly sweet and incredibly aromatic.
And yes, it’s made exclusively with almond flour and is gluten-free! It pairs really well with tea or coffee, as well as fresh fruits.
Get The Recipe: Almond Cake
Coconut Jelly (Vanilla and Chocolate Flavors)
This coconut jelly recipe includes two flavor options: vanilla and chocolate.
You only need a few simple ingredients to make them, including coconut milk, gelatin powder, honey, and cocoa powder.
Get The Recipe: Coconut Jelly (Vanilla and Chocolate Flavors)
Carrot Cake Loaf
This loaf brings all the warm spice and richness of a classic carrot cake in a more compact form.
It’s loaded with shredded carrots, cinnamon, pecans, Greek yogurt, and applesauce.
Get The Recipe: Carrot Cake Loaf
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Cottage Cheese Banana Bread
Want to try something different? Enjoy this bread for breakfast or as a dessert after dinner.
Aside from bananas and cottage cheese, you’ll need cinnamon, oat flour, and almond flour.
Get The Recipe: Cottage Cheese Banana Bread
Old-Fashioned Chocolate Eclair Cake
Nothing beats the yummy flavors of a homemade chocolate cake.
This one is one of your most satisfying options. It only requires five simple ingredients, including instant vanilla pudding and graham crackers.
Get The Recipe: Old-Fashioned Chocolate Eclair Cake
Strawberry Icebox Cake
This no-bake cake is made with fresh strawberries, graham crackers, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract.
Go ahead and add as many strawberries as you want! Also, don’t skip the ganache. It can make your cake even more delicious.
Get The Recipe: Strawberry Icebox Cake
Banana Cream Pie
This cream pie is made with vanilla wafers, butter, instant vanilla pudding mix, whole milk, and bananas.
Garnish it with crushed graham crackers. It’s a make-ahead dessert that gets even better after a night in the fridge.
Get The Recipe: Banana Cream Pie
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You’re probably confused about which recipes to try first.
Icebox cakes and cookies are great ideas for beginners! As you go along, incorporate some of your favorite ingredients.
You’re sure to gain confidence with every batch you make.
25 Beach Desserts That Can Handle the Heat and the Sand
These beach desserts are perfect for summer days and spontaneous getaways. They feature lots of fun ingredients like peaches, berries, coconut, and chocolate.
Read it here: 25 Beach Desserts That Can Handle the Heat and the Sand
25 Easy Healthy Desserts to Satisfy Your Sweet Cravings Guilt-Free
Sweet cravings? Check out this list of easy healthy desserts. It includes fruit salads, cakes, and cookies—all made with healthier ingredients.
Read it here: 25 Easy Healthy Desserts to Satisfy Your Sweet Cravings Guilt-Free
Is Walmart+ Worth It? Honest Review 3 Years Later!
Is the new Walmart Plus worth the annual fee or is it just another failed version of Amazon Prime? I spent my own money trying this service out for 12 months and counting. I have a lot to say about the benefits and drawbacks in this Walmart+ honest review.
Read it here: Is Walmart+ Worth It? Honest Review 3 Years Later!
Looking for more sweets? You’ll be surprised at how effortless homemade desserts can be:
- 25 Fall Desserts So Tempting, You’ll Want to Skip Dinner
- 25 Magical Holiday Desserts You’ll Want To Make All Season Long
- 15 Dessert Charcuterie Board Ideas That Bring Instant Joy to the Table
- 25 On the Go Desserts for Sweet Moments Anywhere
- 25 Easy Potluck Desserts So Addictive, You’ll Need a Secret Stash