30 Make-Ahead Cakes for Thanksgiving Dessert

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 need to be made the 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 30 delicious cakes ahead of time will be keeping guests out of the dessert until after Thanksgiving dinner has been served.