Make-ahead Christmas dessert recipes

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

We've blended two tempting sweet treats – rocky road and cheesecake – to create this irresistible make-ahead dessert.

Make this grown-up dessert for a celebration dinner, or as an alternative to Christmas pudding. Spiked with coffee liqueur, it’s sophisticated and luxurious

Take trifle to the next level for the festive season. Make the jelly with raspberries and enrich the custard with clotted cream for ultra indulgence

Perch these delightful little gingerbread houses on the edge of your mug for a festive treat. Try them with hot chocolate or mulled wine for adults

Convert mince pie sceptics with our recipe for juicy, zesty mincemeat wrapped in pastry that’s extra-biscuity and rich thanks to a surprise ingredient

Make this beautifully rich Christmas cake a month ahead of the big day. With brandy-soaked fruit in every bite, it's a taste of the season

Cross a Mississippi mud pie with a marmalade martini and the result is this grown-up Christmas trifle. It makes a wonderful indulgent end to a festive menu

Make this stunning layered, citrussy dessert ahead of time if you're entertaining. It's a crowd-pleaser that's part key lime pie, part cheesecake, part trifle

Enjoy an alternative take on Christmas pud. Chestnuts provide sweet, earthy flavour and a nutty texture that works beautifully with chocolate and stem ginger

When a mince pie meets baklava, it’s a match made in Christmas heaven. Serve warm with ice cream for dessert, or cut into smaller bites to enjoy with coffee

Transform black forest gateau into an easily shareable traybake. Made with chocolate ganache and kirsch cream, it's ideal to take to a Christmas party

Why not make this year's Christmas cake in a slow cooker? You'll save on energy costs and be rewarded with a cake rich in plump dried fruit and cherries

Easy to transport and serve, this is a great dessert to take to a party. Everyone loves tiramisu and everyone loves cheesecake so it's a winner all round

Chocolate truffles, amaretti biscuits and a few edible Christmas flourishes make these festive brownies an extra-special dessert no one could resist

Fancy a lighter dessert after a heavy main course? These mojito possets deliver. They have all the flavours of a mojito cocktail, including a rum cream

Treat family and friends to this moreish fridge cake made into the shape of a Christmas tree and decorated with red and green sweets and gold almonds

You'd never guess that this spectacular dessert is dairy-free, decorated with a zesty ganache using orange juice instead of cream

Wow guests with this extra-special chocolate, raspberry and pistachio roulade for a Christmas dessert. It will make the perfect end to a festive dinner feast

This make-ahead festive dessert is deliciously different and incredibly simple to make, with amaretti biscuits, fresh oranges and double cream