Picture this: You're about to sit down to stream your favorite movie and suddenly think how great it would be to have a cozy dish of your favorite dessert to eat while you watch. Even if you wouldn't consider yourself a sweet tooth, you've probably experienced a last-minute craving for something sweet that strikes just a little too late. After all, once you've measured, baked, and cooled the dessert of your dreams, it will be well past bedtime. This all leads to the inevitable question: If our favorite movies and tv shows can be on-demand, why can't our desserts be, too?
This gallery is here to make that happen—with a lot of inspiration from us and a little forethought from you, an abundance of treats will be ready at the press of a button (your microwave's button, that is). There is often a lot of emphasis on the "make-ahead" recipes when it comes to hosting dinner parties and holiday feasts. Rightly so, of course: With a good plan, any party can be a success no matter the size. But there's something extra special about the make-ahead recipes you create just for you. These smaller victories can look like scoops of cookie dough on stand-by in the freezer, or the slices of cake that seems to just get better the longer it chills, or the blondies you can make a week before you will crave them, and they'll still taste fresh.
With a few of the recipes in this gallery, like the Triple Chocolate Brownie Cups and Apple Pie Bread Pudding, you'll want to zap them in your microwave for maximum comfort-food coziness. Others, like our Easiest Rice Pudding and Traditional Tres Leches Cake, will satisfy straight from the fridge. And if you're looking for fresh-baked results, check out the recipes with a make-ahead batter, like the Marbled Soufflés or Warm Chocolate Pudding Cakes.
