These Make-Ahead Dessert Recipes Ensure You Have a Comforting Treat on Hand Whenever a Sweet Craving Hits

Bake a batch of these perfectly chewy brownies over the weekend and stash leftover squares in the freezer for an on-demand chocolate fix. A quick stint in the microwave will take the chill off, but many report that brownies can taste even better (read: chewier) straight from the freezer!

Based on its nostalgia factor alone, a good rice pudding is the type of cozy, comforting dessert you'll want to reach for at the end of a long day. The fact that it's easier to make than pie and can be kept on hand for days is all the more reason to put this recipe on your radar.

If you're thinking that there's no way a soufflé can be made ahead of time, then you're half right. With this recipe, you'll get a head start on the airy dessert and be saying, "Voilà!" in no time by making the base of thickened milk and egg yolks ahead, then actually baking your serving when the mood strikes.

It's rare to meet a cake that actually gets better a day later, so let's take a moment to appreciate the fact that the ultra-moist tres leche cake is a make-ahead miracle.

It's wonderful when a recipe is made up of (mostly) pantry staples, but a last-minute craving usually means you won't have time to start baking from scratch. Plan ahead just a little so you can enjoy them counter-side all week. Another option is to freeze them for a longer stay.

Another make-ahead treat that only gets better as it sits, icebox cakes couldn't be easier to assemble thanks to a short ingredient lists and reliance on store-bought cookies. The longer you give the whipped cream filling to soak into the chocolate wafers, the more cake-like the texture will be.

There isn't a stale piece of bread out there that has ever suffered from spending too much time soaking up the sweet, eggy custard that comprises a good bread pudding. Assemble this apple-y dessert casserole the day before and put it in the fridge so that the next day's task will be reduced to just preheating the oven!

You'll be happy to know that this all-occasions pound cake will stay moist for a few days at room temp; freeze individual slices for future convenience.

Whip up the batter for these warm little cakes the day before, then pop them in the oven about an hour before it is officially dessert o'clock.

Pretty much all cheesecakes are make-ahead, but this one stands out for its top-notch contrast of tart cranberry sauce swirled into the rich cream cheese custard.

A cozy bite of warm cobbler is just a few minutes away when pre-baked in individual ramekins and frozen. When you want to cozy up to this classic dessert, pop one in the toaster oven before sitting down for dinner and it'll be ready come dessert time.

The cookie crust will stay crunchy—and the custard filling smooth—for days in the fridge, so you can enjoy a slice of nostalgic comfort food throughout the week.

Sure, these decadent brownie cups can be thoroughly enjoyed as is from the storage container, but you should know that a quick zap in the microwave and a scoop of vanilla ice cream will take them to new levels of cozy.