Course Overview

Build your repertoire of make-ahead techniques to create knockout desserts for any occasion. Spend less time stressing over swoon-worthy desserts and more time enjoying the company of your guests! James Beard Award-winning pastry chef Gale Gand shares make-ahead strategies to help you create a range of desserts while balancing your busy schedule. From a rich Irish coffee cake to orange-infused chocolate truffles, conquer any dessert challenge with confidence!

Course Lessons

1. Impressive Layer Cakes

Chef Gale Gand begins by showing you how to make two jaw-dropping layer cakes: a rich Irish coffee cake topped with chocolate curls, and a decadent toasted coconut cake adorned with crystallized petals.

Duration: 45 min

2. Lemon Meringue Cake

Watch as Gale prepares her twist on the classic lemon meringue pie: a buttery cake with a lemon curd filling. Discover two ways to decorate with meringue using a palette knife or piping bag, along with a blow torch for a dramatic finish.

Duration: 31 min

3. Blueberry-Strawberry Frangipane Tart

Enhance your pastry skills as you learn to transform classic pâte brisée dough into a blueberry-strawberry frangipane tart. Find out how to add gold leaf for an extra-special finish.

Duration: 25 min

4. Orange-Infused Chocolate Truffles

Both rustic and refined, Gale’s orange-infused chocolate truffles include crème fraîche for an extra pop of flavor. Gale shows you how to coat your truffles and shares ideas for a range of finishes.

Duration: 27 min

5. Cuccidati Cookies

Be the star of your next cookie swap with Italian filled cookies! In this lesson, Gale shares the secrets to making cuccidati, traditional Sicilian fig-stuffed cookies.

Duration: 24 min

6. Bourbon Mousse in a Rolled Chocolate Shell

Wrap things up by learning to make one of Gale’s favorite recipes: bourbon-chocolate mousse in a rolled chocolate shell. Learn how to combine airy, boozy mousse with bittersweet chocolate, milk, and white chocolate for a harmonious blend of flavor.

Duration: 24 min