Holiday baking goes much more smoothly when it's spread over several days. Many classic American bakes actually improve with a day or two of rest, and pie dough and cookie dough both freeze well. Here's how to plan it.
How far ahead can you bake?
| Bake | Make ahead | How to store |
|---|---|---|
| Pie dough | Up to 3 months | Wrapped discs in the freezer; thaw overnight in the refrigerator |
| Molasses cookies | Up to 5 days baked, or freeze dough 3 months | Airtight tin at room temperature |
| Pound cake | 2–3 days, or freeze 3 months | Wrapped tightly at room temperature |
| Apple pie | 1 day | Covered at room temperature |
| Pumpkin pie | 1–2 days | Covered in the refrigerator once cooled |
| Biscuits | Freeze unbaked up to 1 month | Bake from frozen, adding 2–3 minutes |
| Cornbread | Best the same day | Bake while the main dish rests |
A sample 5-day baking schedule
- 5 days before: make and freeze pie dough; bake molasses cookies.
- 3 days before: bake the pound cake and wrap it well.
- 2 days before: move pie dough to the refrigerator to thaw. Buy fresh ingredients.
- 1 day before: bake the apple and pumpkin pies; refrigerate the pumpkin pie once cool.
- On the day: bake biscuits or cornbread while the main dish rests; whip the cream just before serving.
Making the most of a small kitchen
- Clear a shelf in the refrigerator before you start.
- Use a rolling cart or a spare table as an extra cooling station.
- Bake items that share a temperature back to back — for example, cookies and pound cake at 325–350°F.
- Label everything with what it is and the date.
Baking for gifts
Molasses cookies and pound cake travel well and make thoughtful homemade gifts. Pack cookies in tins lined with parchment, wrap loaves of pound cake in parchment and twine, and include a card listing the main allergens (wheat, milk and eggs) so recipients can enjoy them safely.
Common holiday baking pitfalls
- Soggy pie bottoms: bake on a lower rack, and blind-bake crusts for custard pies.
- Cracked pumpkin pie: remove it while the center still jiggles slightly.
- Dense pound cake: make sure butter and eggs are at room temperature, and cream them long enough.
- Flat biscuits: keep the butter cold and don't twist the cutter.
Planning the whole meal, not just dessert? Start with our guide to planning a heirloom holiday table.