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  5. 16 Make-Ahead Cakes for Thanksgiving Dessert

16 Make-Ahead Cakes for Thanksgiving Dessert

Jenna Sims, Associate Digital Editor at Southern Living
By Jenna Sims Updated October 07, 2020
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Butter Toffee-Pecan Layer Cake
Credit: Greg DuPree

To say the kitchen gets crazy on Thanksgiving Day is the understatement of the year. Planning ahead so we can keep the oven free for the bird is essential to say the least. That's where our make-ahead cakes come in. These cake recipes are perfect to prepare before the feast so you can focus your Thanksgiving cooking schedule on dishes that that need to be made day-of. Some cakes, like cheesecakes, require some advanced work so they have enough time to chill overnight. Other cakes, like layer cakes or pound cakes, can be made and stored without frosting or garnishes. If a cake recipe requires an icing or topping, we recommend waiting until just before serving to add the final touches and garnishes. The hardest part about making these delicious cakes ahead of time will be keeping guests out of the dessert until after Thanksgiving dinner has been served.

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Butter Pecan Cheesecake

Butter Pecan Cheescake
Credit: Photo: Alison Miksch, prop styling: Prissy Lee, food styling: Erin Merhar

Recipe: Butter Pecan Cheesecake

This delightfully nutty cheesecake with a graham cracker crust is a make-ahead must. It requires between 8 and 24 hours of chilling, so patience is key.

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Apple Butter Pound Cake with Caramel Frosting

Apple Butter Pound Cake with Caramel Frosting
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Apple Butter Pound Cake with Caramel Frosting

Make this showpiece Bundt in advance, but don't drizzle the Caramel Frosting on just yet. Make the garnish day-of for a timely finishing touch. 

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Butter Toffee-Pecan Layer Cake

Butter Toffee-Pecan Layer Cake
Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe: Butter Toffee-Pecan Layer Cake

This buttery vanilla cake can be kept at room temperature for three to five days.

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Pumpkin Layer Cake with Caramel-Cream Cheese Frosting

Pumpkin Layer Cake with Caramel-Cream Cheese Frosting
Credit: Alison Gootee; Styling: Suzonne Stirling

Recipe: Pumpkin Layer Cake with Caramel-Cream Cheese Frosting

This gorgeous fall cake is a pumpkin spice lover's dream. You can make the cake layers up to three days in advance, and store (covered) in the refrigerator. 

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Pecan Pie Cake

Pecan Pie Cake
Credit: Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke Food Stylist: Rishon Hanners

Recipe: Pecan Pie Cake

To get this fall favorite started early, just prepare the cake layers and store in the refrigerator. Assemble before serving, adding the rich pecan pie filling and the creamy browned butter frosting. 

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Marbled Pecan Pound Cake

Marbled Pecan Pound Cake Recipe
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Marbled Pecan Pound Cake

Pound cakes are some of the best desserts to make in advance. Plus, this marbled sweet pairs well with a post-dinner cup of coffee. 

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Southern Sweet Potato Cake

Southern Sweet Potato Cake
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck; Food Styling: Erin Merhar

Recipe: Southern Sweet Potato Cake

Already have sweet potatoes on hand? Cook this classic Southern cake the night before, and add the Brown Sugar Icing and garnish on the day you're ready to serve. 

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Triple-Chocolate Buttermilk Pound Cake

Triple-Chocolate Buttermilk Pound Cake
Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Triple-Chocolate Buttermilk Pound Cake

You can reserve the buttermilk glaze until right before serving for a fresher taste.

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Layered Pumpkin Cheesecake

Layered Pumpkin Cheesecake
Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Layered Pumpkin Cheesecake

This cheesecake can be chilled in the refrigerator for up to two days before serving.

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Mississippi Mud Cheesecake

Mississippi Mud Cheesecake
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Mississippi Mud Cheesecake

After baking, chill this rich cheesecake for up to two days before adding the topping to serve.

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Instant Pot Pumpkin Cheesecake

Instant Pot Pumpkin Cheesecake
Credit: Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Emily Neighbors Hall Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

Recipe: Instant Pot Pumpkin Cheesecake

Even though it may only take minutes to make, this classic Thanksgiving cheesecake still needs to chill for 8 to 12 hours before serving. 

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Apple Pie Cake

Apple Pie Cake
Credit: Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Rishon Hanners

Recipe: Apple Pie Cake

Spice up your dessert table with cake that takes its cues from the classic apple pie. We love this cake warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, so consider warming before serving if made in advance. 

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Auntie's Apple Cake

Auntie’s Apple Cake
Credit: Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Ana Kelly Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke

Recipe: Auntie's Apple Cake

We typically suggest drizzling the frosting over the cake while warm, but when making in advance we change our tune. Hold on the garnish until right before you're expecting guests. 

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Free up Oven Space on Thanksgiving with a Make-Ahead Cake

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Caramel-Frosted Pound Cake

Caramel-Frosted Pound Cake
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Caramel-Frosted Pound Cake

This cake is a a surefire crowd-pleaser. Before serving, use an offset spatula to create a frosted swirl effect. 

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Texas Pecan Cake

Texas Pecan Cake
Credit: Photographer: Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Rishon Hanners; Prop Stylist: Audrey Davis

Recipe: Texas Pecan Cake

Pecan fans are sure to leave the feast satisfied with this cake that can be stored for up to three days. 

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Pumpkin-Pecan Cheesecake

Pumpkin-Pecan Cheesecake
Credit: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Pumpkin-Pecan Cheesecake

Pumpkin and pecan come together to create a quintessential cheesecake that belongs on your Thanksgiving menu.

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    1 of 17 Butter Pecan Cheesecake
    2 of 17 Apple Butter Pound Cake with Caramel Frosting
    3 of 17 Butter Toffee-Pecan Layer Cake
    4 of 17 Pumpkin Layer Cake with Caramel-Cream Cheese Frosting
    5 of 17 Pecan Pie Cake
    6 of 17 Marbled Pecan Pound Cake
    7 of 17 Southern Sweet Potato Cake
    8 of 17 Triple-Chocolate Buttermilk Pound Cake
    9 of 17 Layered Pumpkin Cheesecake
    10 of 17 Mississippi Mud Cheesecake
    11 of 17 Instant Pot Pumpkin Cheesecake
    12 of 17 Apple Pie Cake
    13 of 17 Auntie's Apple Cake
    14 of 17 Free up Oven Space on Thanksgiving with a Make-Ahead Cake
    15 of 17 Caramel-Frosted Pound Cake
    16 of 17 Texas Pecan Cake
    17 of 17 Pumpkin-Pecan Cheesecake

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