29 Make-Ahead Christmas Recipes

Overnight Reindeer Rolls

Kids love helping in the kitchen. This year, have a little fun making these reindeer-shaped rolls with your little bakers. And make sure to take pictures because the treats will be gone before you know it! —Chris O'Connell, San Antonio, Texas

Roasted Beef Tenderloin

An overnight marinade provides a savory seasoning for this tenderloin. I've served this simple elegant roast on many special occasions. —Schelby Thompson, Camden Wyoming, Delaware

Make-Ahead Turkey and Gravy

Ease the holiday time crunch with a make-ahead turkey recipe that's ready to serve when you are. It's a great choice for potlucks, too. —Marie Parker, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Christmas Day Chicken

I’ve been fixing this delicious chicken for Christmas dinner for over 10 years. It’s convenient since you refrigerate it overnight, then simply coat with crumbs and bake. It comes out crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside. —Marcia Larson, Batavia, Illinois

Creamy Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes

With five different dairy products, you know this make-ahead mashed potato casserole is going to be super rich and, of course, delicious. It gets even better topped with onions and bacon! —JoAnn Koerkenmeier, Damiansville, Illinois

Make-Ahead Butterhorns

Mom loved to make these lightly sweet, golden rolls. They're beautiful and impressive and have a homemade taste that makes them memorable. —Bernice Morris, Marshfield, Missouri

Twisted Eggs Benedict Salad

Salad for breakfast? Absolutely. You can prep everything except the dressing and chill it overnight. In the morning, dress the salad and poach the eggs. —Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota

Mud Pie

This mud pie recipe comes together in a snap and tastes like pure decadence. From the Oreo crust to the layers of chocolate sauce and ice cream, it’s practically made for those with an aching sweet tooth.

Overnight Pancakes

Our kids love waking up to these golden, fluffy pancakes. The buttermilk batter is refrigerated overnight, making them perfect for busy mornings and special occasion breakfasts alike. —Lisa Sammons, Cut Bank, Montana

Make-Ahead Cornbread Dressing

Being from California, my family has always been big veggie eaters. I wanted to share a little taste of home with my in-laws so I created this dish for Thanksgiving. You don't have to let it sit overnight, but it's a nice make ahead Thanksgiving option and the flavors mesh more that way. —Patricia Broussard, Lafayette, Louisiana

Ginger Pear Freezer Jam

At dinner with friends one evening, one of our hosts served some pears she had preserved with ginger and lemon. The flavor was so heavenly I decided to use the fresh pears she gave us to try my hand at a ginger and lemon freezer jam.—Jeni Pittard, Commerce, Georgia

Broccoli Grape Salad

Whether you need to liven up your dinner menu or prep for a potluck, broccoli grape salad blends sweet and savory flavors and acts as a side dish or a main, if you add protein. (Bonus: It includes bacon!)

Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy

This make-ahead turkey gravy is a lifesaver when preparing multiple dishes for holiday gatherings and special occasions.

Overnight Cinnamon Rolls

The wait may seem hard, but these overnight cinnamon rolls are worth it. These rolls are made with a doughy, moisture-rich dough packed with cinnamony goodness and are the perfect addition to your weekend brunch spread. Serve them piping hot with the decadent glaze dripping down the edges.

Classic Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes

These make-ahead mashed potatoes save me a ton of time on Christmas Day. No more frantically whipping the potatoes while hungry family and guests hang around the kitchen! —Marty Rummel, Trout Lake, Washington

Overnight Cherry Danish

Sometimes a cup of coffee just demands a sweet treat to go with it, and a fresh-baked cherry Danish is the perfect choice. This recipe is less complicated than most, with just a few minutes' prep and a slow, overnight rise.

Make-Ahead Tiramisu

This variation of the popular Italian dessert is so easy to assemble. It's convenient, too, since you can make it the day before your dinner party or potluck. —Linda Finn, Louisville, Mississippi

Overnight Cranberry-Eggnog Coffee Cake

To use up leftover eggnog, cranberries and pecans from the holiday season, I added them to a classic coffee cake recipe. Mix it all together the night before, and bake it in the morning. —Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas

Sage & Prosciutto Pinwheels

I love, love, love to make appetizers and I especially like this recipe because I can make the rolls ahead, freeze them, and then slice and bake when needed. —Kate Dampier, Quail Valley, California

Overnight Baked Oatmeal

My husband and I spent a long weekend at a bed-and-breakfast not far from our home. The owners shared this delicious recipe with me, which I made my own with a couple of simple changes. —Jennifer Cramer, Lebanon, Pennsylvania

Biscuits and Gravy Casserole

Our biscuits and gravy casserole recipe features creamy sausage gravy and fluffy homemade biscuits. This make-ahead breakfast casserole is a cozy homestyle meal that'll get everyone out of bed!

Spicy Sausage & Apple Overnight Casserole

For many years I’ve hosted Mother’s Day brunch. One year I didn’t make this delightfully spicy casserole and thought the family would toss me from my own house! —Dawn Vance, Geneva, Illinois

Almond Cheddar Appetizers

I always try to have a supply of these appetizers on hand in the freezer. If guests drop in, I just pull some out and reheat to serve. They work great as a snack, for brunch or along with a lighter lunch. —Linda Thompson, Southampton, Ontario

Pumpkin French Toast Casserole

Our pumpkin French toast casserole combines cinnamon-raisin bread, cream cheese and fall spices with canned pumpkin. Prep the casserole in the evening so you can pop it in the oven when you wake up.

Sausage Pinwheels

Filled with sausage, sweet pepper and cream cheese, these sausage pinwheels are excellent for unexpected visitors, a cocktail party or a halftime snack. Besides being easy to make, they can be prepared ahead of time and kept in the freezer. All you have to do is pop them into a hot oven.

Make-Ahead Maple & Sage Gravy

Save those turkey wings! Then use this richly flavored stock in my pour-it-on-everything herbed gravy. —Angela Lively, Conroe, Texas

Holiday Brunch Casserole

If you'll be having overnight company during the holidays, you may want to consider this hearty casserole. Guests will be impressed with its bountiful filling and scrumptious flavor. It's the perfect Easter breakfast or Christmas casserole. —Nelda Cronbaugh, Belle Plaine, Iowa

Make-Ahead Creamy Potatoes

For the holidays, I usually serve the traditional foods with a new spin or two on family favorites. I put together these creamy potatoes the night before and simply bake the day of to save precious holiday time. —Wendy Ball, Battle Creek, Michigan

Freezer Strawberry Shortbread Dessert

When I’m planning party menus, I 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