44 Make-Ahead Spring Desserts

Read Time: 14 mins

44 Make-Ahead Spring Desserts1/44 Simple Lemon Mousse 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This classic, simple lemon mousse recipe is the refreshing dessert you need. Serve it with fresh fruit or eat it alone. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen 2/44 Banana Pudding 67 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Banana Pudding Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 9 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I didn’t see my son, Lance Corporal Eric Harris, for more than two years after he enlisted in

the Marines after high school

the Marines after high school. And when I saw him arrive at the airport, I just grabbed hold of him and burst out crying. When we got home, the first thing he ate was two bowls of my easy banana pudding recipe. He’s a true southern boy! It’s a dessert, but you can have it for breakfast, lunch or dinner. —Stephanie Harris, Montpelier, Virginia 3/44 Macaroon Cherry Pie 8 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Macaroon Cherry Pie Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I use

You can double the recipe and make two for large groups

homegrown cherries in this bountiful pie with its unique crunchy coconut topping. But I’ve found that purchased tart cherries yield a dessert that’s nearly as delicious. I always bake this pie around Presidents Day or Valentine’s Day, but it’s popular with my family in any season. —Lori Daniels, Beverly, West Virginia 4/44 Strawberry Trifle 87 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 20 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I won first prize in a dairy recipe contest with this tasty strawberry trifle. You can double the recipe and make two for large groups. —Norma Steiner,

It’s a great make-ahead dessert!

Monroe, Wisconsin 5/44 Grand Marnier Frozen Souffles Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This delicious frozen souffle is perfect for when the weather is warm and will impress just about anyone. It’s a great make-ahead dessert! —Andrea Potischman, Menlo Park, California 6/44 Chipotle-Orange Baklava 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 2 hours 5 min Servings 3 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Citrus, cinnamon and smoky chipotle peppers make my version of this flaky, sweet pastry so unique.

It’s really rich, so a little goes a long way

It’s really rich, so a little goes a long way. —Christine Neary, Portland, Oregon 7/44 Strawberry Gelato 9 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Strawberry Gelato Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: You’ll love this smooth and creamy gelato with bright strawberry flavor and just a hint of sea salt and honey. Fresh raspberries or blackberries can be substituted for the strawberries if you prefer. If your berries are tart, add a touch more sugar or honey. —Shelly Bevington, Hermiston, Oregon 8/44 Contest-Winning Rhubarb Meringue Pie

Luckily, we have her rhubarb pie recipe

16 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 1 hour 55 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My husband’s grandmother was an excellent cook, but she didn’t always share her secrets. Luckily, we have her rhubarb pie recipe. I added one of my favorite crusts and a never-fail meringue. —Elaine Sampson, Colesburg, Iowa 9/44 Limoncello Tiramisu 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Ellie Crowley for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We love everything about this wonderful dessert—from the light lemon flavor and creamy

Mascarpone to the crunchy, crushed macaroon on top

Mascarpone to the crunchy, crushed macaroon on top. We think you’ll enjoy it too.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen 10/44 Apple Cake for Passover Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 55 min Servings 20 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Adding a dollop of whipped cream is a sweet addition to this Passover cake! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 11/44 Strawberry Cookie Cups 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved MARK DERSE FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 55 min Servings about 4 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I learned to bake beside my

mom and grandmother

mom and grandmother. When I was on break from college, I knew just how to entertain myself: I made cookies. Sharing this recipe with my mom and grandmother was a proud moment.—Andrea Zulauf, Livonia, New York 12/44 Peeps Sunflower Cake 106 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved JIM WIELAND FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 45 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: The inspiration for this cake came from one of my favorite flowers, the sunflower. The yellow peeps make eye-catching flower petals, and I carefully placed chocolate chips in a circular pattern to resemble the seeds

in the middle of a sunflower

in the middle of a sunflower. This cake is easy, but looks quite impressive. —Bethany Eledge, Cleveland, Tennessee 13/44 Bing Cherry-Amaretti Fool Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When Bing cherries are in season, I make this fruity custard-style fool. The sweet cherries and whipped cream balance perfectly with the sour cream. —Mary Ann Lee, Clifton Park, New York 14/44 Cookie Butter Pie 25 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Cookie Butter Pie Recipe photo by Kristina Vanni for Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 2 pies

(8 servings each) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I tasted Biscoff cookie butter at a grocery store one day, and it was so delicious that I decided to create a no-bake pie with it. You can make it your own by using peanut butter or another kind of spread and matching toppings instead. —Katrina Adams, Mount Olive, Alabama 15/44 Freezer Strawberry Shortbread Dessert 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Freezer Strawberry Shortbread Dessert Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 15 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When I’m planning party menus, I

Try these sweet birds nest cookies

appreciate dessert recipes like this; you can make and freeze it up to two weeks before serving. A refreshing slice is welcome after a big meal.—Cassie Alexander, Muncie, Indiana 16/44 Coconut Nests 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Jackie Alpers for Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 1 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Looking for an Easter activity that kids will enjoy assembling and eating? Try these sweet birds nest cookies. They’re a snap to make and call for just a few ingredients. —Tonya Hamrick, Wallace, West Virginia 17/44 Classic Tres Leches Cake 6 Reviews Test

Tres leches means “three milks.”

Kitchen Approved Total Time 1 hour 5 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Tres leches means “three milks.” This cake gets its name because it uses three kinds of milk—evaporated, condensed and cream. This cake’s light and airy texture has made it a classic in Mexican kitchens for generations. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen 18/44 Passover Rainbow Cookies 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved GRACE NATOLI SHELDON FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 45 min Servings about 3 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: The name “rainbow cookies” is actually a bit of a

misnomer for these classic New York treats

misnomer for these classic New York treats. To make the pretty layered cookies, you’ll bake three thin cakes, spread jam between them and coat with smooth melted chocolate. —Shannon Sarna, South Orange, New Jersey 19/44 Elegant Orange Blossom Cheesecake 1 Review Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 1 hour 50 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: The aroma of orange zest hints at how heavenly this delicate cheesecake tastes. Gingersnap cookie crumbs make a distinctive crust, while glazed orange slices become a blossomlike topping. —Sharon Delaney-Chronis, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin 20/44 Citrus Cheesecake 10 Reviews

Test Kitchen Approved Sunny Citrus Cheesecake Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 2 hours Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This beautiful layered cheesecake takes a bit longer to make, but the end result is so worth it! Citrus seems to be the perfect ending for an Easter meal, and the bright flavors really shine in this dessert. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin 21/44 Strawberry Pretzel Salad 131 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Strawberry Pretzel Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe

Creator: Need to bring a dish to pass this weekend?

Creator: Need to bring a dish to pass this weekend? This make-ahead strawberry pretzel salad will disappear quickly at any potluck. —Aldene Belch, Flint, Michigan 22/44 Apricot Almond Torte 26 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Apricot Almond Torte Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 10 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This pretty cake takes a bit of time, so I like to make the layers in advance and assemble it the day of serving, which make it an easier option for entertaining. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho 23/44 Sweet &

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