Dessert is sometimes just a sweet afterthought, particularly if you’ve devoted all your culinary energy to the dishes that precede it. But creating a delectable dessert doesn’t have to be hurried.

You’ll find these dessert recipes don’t wreck your waistline or your to-do list. With all the other cooking a menu demands, the smart solution is tempting treats that you can make ahead of time and freeze.

All these recipes need is a little bit of planning. Each sweet can be made up to one month ahead. That way, you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the party. Just follow the freezing and thawing directions below

Dark-Chocolate Soufflé Cake
Make-ahead: up to one month
To freeze: After cooling, cover with heavy-duty foil; seal and freeze.
To serve: Thaw in refrigerator overnight. Let stand 30 minutes at room temperature.
Then, remove sides from pan; sift powdered sugar over cake. Garnish with raspberries and chocolate curls, if desired.

Brandied Pumpkin Ice-Cream Pie with Malted Pecans
'Make-ahead:" up to one month To freeze: After spooning pumpkin mixture into prepared crust, cover with heavy-duty foil; seal and freeze.
To serve: Place pie in refrigerator 20 minutes before serving to soften. Place pecans and malted milk powder in a food processor, and process until ground. Sprinkle the pecan mixture around edge of pie.

Lemon-Cream Cheese Cookie Cups
Make-ahead: up to one month
To freeze: After cooling, place cups in an airtight container; seal and freeze.
To serve: Thaw the cookie cups in the refrigerator overnight. Let stand for 30 minutes at room temperature. Then, add topping.

Apple Cider-Caramel Cake
Make-ahead: up to one month
To freeze: After cooling, cover with heavy-duty foil; seal and freeze.
To serve: Thaw at room temperature. Then, sift powdered sugar over cake.

Cinnamon Streusel Coffeecake
Make-ahead: up to one month
To freeze: After cooling, cover with heavy-duty foil; seal and freeze.
To serve: Thaw at room temperature.