Forgot to plan a dessert for the big day? Don't panic! These elegant and decadent recipes are surprisingly simple, with many no-bake or make-ahead options that will fool everyone into thinking you've been planning for weeks. All of these can be made ahead.

Individual Italian Tiramasu
This Individual Italian Tiramisu is not to be missed. It's the same one we serve at the restaurant and I have made thousands of these since I put them in the dessert line. This is the perfect dessert to finish out the holidays or the year. It's extravagant and beautiful but most importantly you'll savor every bite of the light as air filling and the intense coffee rum sponge.
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White Chocolate Mocha Cheesecake
This indulgent White Chocolate Mocha Cheesecake is exceptional. White chocolate, coffee and an ingredient no one will guess impart a creamy luxuriousness with a flavor that lingers after the last bite.
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No Bake Mini Chocoalte Caramel Tarts
These easy, No Bake Mini Chocolate Caramel Truffle Tarts consists of a chocolate press in crumb crust, homemade caramel and the same truffle filling used in our Chocolate Chocolate Truffles so popular at the bakery. These six tarts can also be made ahead.
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Macadamia and Coconut Tart
This amazing No Bake Macadamia and Coconut Tart came about as the result of the chocolate truffle craze in the late 1980's. They were everywhere and we couldn't get enough of them. My bakery fell right in step with everyone else. So much so that I was asked to create a line of chocolate truffles for a client. This white chocolate macadamia truffle was one of them. For the bakery, I simply turned it into a tart.
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Amaretto Truffle Tart
As sleek a dessert as you will it consists of a fudgey chocolate cake layer, spread with toasted hazelnuts or almonds, covered with a thick layer of caramel and toped with an Amaretto Truffle.
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Dacquoise with Raspberry Mousse
Dacquoise with Raspberry Mousse is an amazing combination of three nutted meringue discs filled with a raspberry mousse that is enhanced with mascarpone. Made into individual desserts (who doesn't like their own dessert?) these stunning offerings are easy to make and easier to eat.
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Non-Traditional Sticky Toffee Pudding
If you're looking for a low stress quickly made holiday dessert this Non Traditional Sticky Toffee Pudding is not to be missed. While often thought of as overwhelmingly sweet, this one is not. The easily made individual sponge cakes are rich, moist, served warm with one of two sauces - traditional Toffee Sauce or a Lemon Rum sauce for a change.
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Pat McDowell says
You are so amazing. I look forward to every post.
Helen S Fletcher says
Hi Pat - Thank you for the kind words. I appreciate them and you.