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Coconut Snowballs

Credit: Hector Sanchez

Nothing can put the pressure on during the holiday season quite like our packed baking schedules. From cute cookie swaps to grand holiday dinners, we've got a never-ending march of holiday festivities lined up that require our most delicious Southern desserts. After all, it's not quite Christmas without prize-worthy pound cakes, decadent cheesecakes, and mountains of Christmas cookies. Get a leg up this holiday season by keeping some of our favorite freezer-friendly desserts stocked up and ready to go, with your friends and family none the wiser (unless you feel like bragging about your baking prowess). Whether our towering White Cake or our rich Chocolate Chubbies, these holiday desserts freeze well and taste even better. Conquer the holiday season with these make-ahead Christmas miracles that cover every occasion. Just make sure to have plenty of plastic wrap and freezer bags on deck all season long!

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Marbled Pecan Pound Cake

Marbled Pecan Pound Cake Recipe

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Marbled Pecan Pound Cake

This pound cake is simple and easy, making it a staple every holiday season. You can make this cake ahead and freeze it, but make sure to wrap it tightly (read: no air!) before popping it in the freezer.

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Fudge Cake

Fudge Cake Recipe

Credit: Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Anna Hampton

Recipe: Fudge Cake

This indulgent yet totally portable dessert is everything you want in a make-and-take cake; and even better, you can make it way ahead of time. Make sure to line the square pan with parchment paper to make your life easier later, and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap (followed by aluminum foil, for good measure) before popping it in the freezer.

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Coconut Snowballs

Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Coconut Snowballs

Drop cookies like these should be frozen in portioned balls in order to make baking them later easy and breezy. You'll need freezer Ziploc bags to get the job done, and you can spread the melted white chocolate over them after baking when ready

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Chocolate-Peppermint Cheesecake

Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Chocolate-Peppermint Cheesecake

Cheesecakes freeze incredibly well, and this chocolate-peppermint treat is an amazing holiday standout. After baking the cheesecake, let it chill in the fridge, then let it freeze uncovered in the freezer. Once it is frozen, wrap in plastic wrap (then aluminum foil, for good measure) and place in freezer bag. After letting it thaw in the fridge, garnish with Whipped Peppermint Cream and crushed peppermints.

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Cassandra's "Light" Fruitcake

Cassandra’s “Light” Fruitcake

Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Anna Hampton

Recipe: Cassandra's "Light" Fruitcake

Oh, the joys of fruitcake—these delicacies will last longer than most. If you're skeptical of this old-school holiday treat, find solace in that this recipe has been known to turn even the most fruitcake-hating people in the South.

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5-Ingredient Sugar Cookies

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: 5-Ingredient Sugar Cookies

These easy sugar cookies are a holiday essential, and you can have them on hand any moment by freezing the dough in flattened rounds that will thaw out quicker and bake easily. Freeze the rounds on baking sheets lined with parchment paper, then transfer to freezer bags.

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Coconut-Macadamia Nut Pound Cake

Chocolate-Peppermint Cheesecake

Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Coconut-Macadamia Nut Pound Cake

Sweet shredded coconut and toasted macadamia nuts make this pound cake truly tasty, and if need be, you can whip it out on short notice when the in-laws are coming into town. Just leave the glaze and garnishes for after it's thawed. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before freezing to ensure it stays fresh.

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Chocolate Chubbies

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Chocolate Chubbies

These not-too-sweet nutty chocolate treats are great for any holiday affair, and you can have them ready to go in the freezer by freezing tablespoonfuls on a lined baking sheet, then putting them in a freezer bag.

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White Chocolate Cranberry Cheesecake

Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: White Chocolate Cranberry Cheesecake

This festive cheesecake combines a creamy white chocolate filling, delicious chocolate pie crust, and a tart cranberry topping for an amazing (and easy) dessert. Freeze this cheesecake, after it's been chilled, without the cranberry topping. When ready to serve, you can prepare the topping the night before and spoon over the pie right before serving.

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No-Bake Fudgy Toffee Bars

Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: No-Bake Fudgy Toffee Bars

We wouldn't freeze these gooey bars too long, but you'll probably want to break them out as soon as possible anyway! Thaw in the fridge, as they're best served chilled.

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Snowy Vanilla Cake with Cream Cheese Buttercream

Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Snowy Vanilla Cake with Cream Cheese Buttercream

This year's iconic white cake recipe raises the bar with its amazing Cream Cheese Buttercream and decorative Cake Ball Ornaments. Save time by baking the cake layers in advance; you can freeze them until you are ready to assemble the cake.

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Crunchy Pecan Pie Bites

Credit: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Crunchy Pecan Pie Bites

These oh-so-Southern mini pecan pies can be frozen in freezer bags ahead of time and thawed for any occasion.

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Easy Swirled Fudge

Credit: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Easy Swirled Fudge

This easy swirled fudge recipe is a holiday miracle, especially when made ahead and frozen to have on hand in a holiday baking emergency. Make sure it's covered tightly before popping in the freezer (after it's already been chilled) in order to keep it in top shape.

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Easiest Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe

Easy Peanut Butter Cookies

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Easiest Peanut Butter Cookies

You simply cannot beat these four-ingredient peanut butter cookies. Freeze hand-rolled balls of the dough to have them ready to go. Don't forget to press the tops of the thawed dough with a fork for that quintessential peanut butter cookie look!

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Cinderella Cheesecake

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Cinderella Cheesecake

Hold off on garnishing until you've thawed this cheesecake in the fridge, but it sure will be one pretty sight—filled with a creamy chocolate and peanut butter filling—when you do! Wrap in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to freeze it until you're ready.

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Minted White Chocolate Balls

Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Minted White Chocolate Balls

These minty, white chocolate-covered bites are served best when chilled anyway, but you can freeze them in balls before coating in chocolate and garnishing with festive crushed peppermints.

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Sweet Potato Pie with Marshmallow Meringue

Credit: Ellen Silverman

Recipe: Sweet Potato Pie with Marshmallow Meringue

The sky-high marshmallow meringue on this sweet potato pie is a showstopper; but if freezing, you'll need to hold off on it until just before serving. After letting the sweet potato pie cool completely, wrap it in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to keep it ready in the freezer.

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Milk Punch Frozen Custards

Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Milk Punch Frozen Custards

For a fancier holiday occasion, we like to freeze these custards in elegant wine glasses or brandy snifters; but you can keep it laidback and fun by using small old-fashioned milkshake glasses.

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White Chocolate-Cherry Cookies

White Chocolate Cherry Cookies

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: White Chocolate-Cherry Cookies

Chocolate and cherries make an unstoppable duo when featured in cookies together, and you can freeze the dough in balls to have them ready to be thawed and thrown in the oven in no time. A last minute school party or church potluck has nothing on these!

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Single-Crust & Double-Crust Pie Pastry

Single-Crust Pie Pastry

Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Single-Crust Pie Pastry
Recipe: Double-Crust Pie Pastry

While not a freestanding dessert on its own (obviously), you will thank us later for making this homemade pie pastry ahead of time because it takes any pie to the next level. You'll want this in your freezer for the holiday season.

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