If you’re looking for a surefire way to take the stress out of hosting, a make-ahead dessert should be your first port of call. A sweet centrepiece, whipped from the fridge at just the right moment, is the perfect way to crown a dinner party, barbecue, or back garden gathering. From a velvety chocolate tart to a show-stopping pavlova, these eighteen desserts are prepared well in advance, leaving you plenty of time to relax with your guests.
![Velvet Chocolate Torte](https://thehappyfoodie.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/baking_velvet_chocolate_torte_mary_berry_at_home_s1200x0.jpg)
Velvet Chocolate Torte
A rich torte with a truly celestial texture, this one also happens to be gluten free.
From the book
![Mary Berry at Home](https://thehappyfoodie.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/mary_berry_at_home_66ek3amdu0-230x300.jpg)
Mary Berry at Home
![All the recipes from the TV series](https://thehappyfoodie.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/mary-berry-at-home-salmon-6013089e-5698-454b-953b-2c36264f07bf_s600x0_q80_noupscale-225x300.jpg)
All the recipes from the TV series
![Everyday cooking at its simplest](https://thehappyfoodie.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/mary-berry-at-home-cheese-e0f9aaf4-9378-46e5-aad5-f09ba7381621_s600x0_q80_noupscale-225x300.jpg)
Everyday cooking at its simplest
![Mary's family favourites](https://thehappyfoodie.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/mary-berry-at-home-chocolate-9f2c4fc0-353d-4354-a8d5-f1aa9e24c09a_s600x0_q80_noupscale-225x300.jpg)
Mary’s family favourites
Buy From
![Amalfi Lemon Tart](https://thehappyfoodie.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/lemontart_s1200x0.jpg)
Amalfi Lemon Tart
Let the sweet taste and intense aroma of Italian lemons shine with this zingy bake.
![No Churn Pomegranate Ice Cream](https://thehappyfoodie.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/no-churn-pomegranate-ice-cream_s1200x0.jpg)
No Churn Pomegranate Ice Cream
No special machinery required for this ice cream – just a little whisking and you’ve got yourself delectably sherbity dessert. A batch of this in your freezer will ensure that you’re never without an impressive, post-dinner treat.
![Peanut Butter Chocolate Fondant](https://thehappyfoodie.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/peanut-butter-chocolate-fondant-8f7v90z2h6_s1200x0.jpg)
Peanut Butter Chocolate Fondant
A creamy, slightly salty peanut butter centre pairs perfectly with the rich flavour of dark chocolate in this fondant recipe.
![Peach Frangipane Tart](https://thehappyfoodie.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/gbbo_showstoppers_3_179_img_s1200x0.jpg)
Peach Frangipane Tart
Fruit and frangipane are baked in a sweet pastry case to create this elegant, summery tart. It keeps well, and can be made a day in advance of when you plan to eat it.
![Prodigious Pavlova](https://thehappyfoodie.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/pavlova_slice_2_s1200x0.jpg)
Prodigious Pavlova
Billowing meringue, clouds of whipped cream and plenty of sharp, tangy fruit; this pavlova from Nigella Lawson ticks all the boxes. Make the meringue a couple of days in advance, and pile on the fruit and cream at the last minute.
![Salted Caramel, Poached Pear and Chocolate Drizzle Tray Bake](https://thehappyfoodie.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/meringue_girls_5_109_img_s1200x0.jpg)
Salted Caramel, Poached Pear and Chocolate Drizzle Tray Bake
This meringue-based tray bake looks impressive, but is a cinch to make. The combination of pear, dulce de leche, chocolate, mascarpone, and walnut is a real winner, too.
![Fresh Strawberry Tartlets](https://thehappyfoodie.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/fresh-strawberry-tarlets-2_s1200x0.jpg)
Fresh Strawberry Tartlets
Let summer strawberries shine with these delicate tartlets from dessert maestro Mary Berry.
![Celeste Praline Cheesecake](https://thehappyfoodie.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/the_little_book_of_chocolat_3_47_img_s1200x0.jpg)
Celeste Praline Cheesecake
If you’re looking for something truly indulgent, this praline cheesecake, topped with silky, dark chocolate cream cheese, is the dessert for you.
![Salted Caramel and Chocolate Cream Profiteroles](https://thehappyfoodie.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/16_s1200x0.jpg)
Salted Caramel and Chocolate Cream Profiteroles
A game-changing twist on the classic profiterole, these are filled with chocolate cream and drizzled generously with salted caramel sauce.
![Cooked Cream with Limoncello (Pannacotta al Limoncello)](https://thehappyfoodie.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/limoncello-pannacotta_s1200x0.jpg)
Cooked Cream with Limoncello (Pannacotta al Limoncello)
Combine two Italian classics with this smooth, Limoncello-spiked pannacotta. It lasts in the fridge for four days, so it’s perfect for those who like to get well ahead.
![Ginger Chocolate Pot](https://thehappyfoodie.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/chocolate_pot_s1200x0.jpg)
Ginger Chocolate Pot
Add a touch of spicy heat to your chocolate dessert with this make-ahead recipe from Simon Hopkinson.
![Twice-baked Raspberry Ricotta Cheesecake with a Thyme Crust](https://thehappyfoodie.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/cheesecake_s1200x0.jpg)
Twice-baked Raspberry Ricotta Cheesecake with a Thyme Crust
Fragrant lemon thyme, tangy raspberries, and creamy ricotta are the hero ingredients in this impressive-looking, double-baked cheesecake.
![Pecan Brownies](https://thehappyfoodie.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/gail-s_artisan_bakery_5_183_img_s1200x0.jpg)
Pecan Brownies
Few can deny the allure of a good brownie. These particular brownies (best baked the day before you want to eat them) are made even more irresistible by the addition of sweet pecan nuts and a hint of sea salt.
![](https://thehappyfoodie.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/coffee-ice-cream-scaled.jpg)
Coffee Ice Cream (Glace moka)
In this classic recipe from Elizabeth David, lemon zest and brown sugar are used to enhance the mouthwatering flavour of freshly roasted coffee.
![Vanilla Crème Brûlée](https://thehappyfoodie.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/creme-brulee_s1200x0.jpg)
Vanilla Crème Brûlée
A slightly lighter-than-usual créme brûlée, this recipe uses milk instead of the traditional double cream, but loses none of its heavenly texture.
![Almond Tart](https://thehappyfoodie.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/almond-tart-rick-stein_s1200x0.png)
Rick Stein’s Almond Tart
Inspired by a Portuguese recipe, this simple tart is light, crisp, and crunchy – just the thing to nibble on with your after-dinner coffee.
![Brownie Pudding with sea-salted caramel, tea, and figs](https://thehappyfoodie.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/ma_00991244_s1200x0.png)
Brownie Pudding with Sea-salted Caramel, Tea, and Figs
A decadent fusion of brownie and sticky toffee pudding, this dessert can be made up to five days in advance and is guaranteed to please a crowd.