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A make-ahead fall dinner party menu, perfect for all your entertaining this season. Everything from appetizers, entrees, and dessert!
If there's anything we've learned about entertaining, it's that planning a meal that can be made ahead is key! That way you can actually enjoy your guests and time together.
This menu is full of seasonal flavors that can all be prepped and made ahead of time, allowing you to enjoy the evening too! These are some of our go-to recipes for fall. Pick a few, invite some friends, and enjoy!
Always a hit, a wonderful cheeseboard can be made ahead and has something for everyone! And check out the next two recipes which are wonderful, unique condiments for your fall cheeseboards:
Sweet and spicy, this Pineapple Habanero Pepper Jelly is delicious on cheese trays, spooned over cream cheese or goat cheese and in grilled sandwiches. By the way. it makes a wonderful grilling glaze!
Everyone is smitten after one taste of this sweet, spicy and oh-so-delicious Plum Ginger Pepper Jelly. It's also super easy and makes a great gift!
Stir together this one-bowl, Overnight No-Knead Brioche Bread before bed. When you rise, it will be ready to shape and bake. It’s the most tender, buttery bread that’s wonderful for toast, sandwiches or your next dinner party!
These Easy Artisan Rolls truly are unbelievably easy. Stir up the dough then go to bed. In the morning, shape and bake. Unbelievably delicious too!
Apple Cranberry Spinach Salad with Honey Cider Dressing – an insanely delicious and super healthy salad – perfect for any get together with family and friends!
Fall Salad with Pumpkin Maple Vinaigrette- This vibrant fall salad is the perfect way to embrace autumn. It’s with loaded healthy, seasonal ingredients and a fabulous pumpkin dressing.
This Eggplant and Italian Sausage Gratin is bursting with delicious Italian flavor. It’s a dinner party-worthy meal that can be made in advance and just popped in the oven at the last minute!
This Instant Pot (or oven) Italian Vegetable Beef Soup is bursting with vibrant Italian flavor, tender beef and an array of fresh veggies! Just add a simple green salad and a loaf of warm bread and you have a fabulous fall meal!
This Asian Glazed Salmon Salad is both delicious and beautiful! It makes a fabulous dinner party entree!
With a velvety sauce, a secret tip for tender chicken and a fresh herb/crunchy cashew topping, this Coconut Curry Chicken Ramen is always a hit!
This one-bowl, no-mixer, Fall Spice Cake with Maple Glaze is sure to become a favorite. It takes minutes to throw together and the aroma, as it bakes, is unbelievable!
This fabulous one-bowl, no-mixer Pumpkin Sheet Cake is super moist, has an amazingly tender crumb and you can put it together in just minutes!
These make-ahead Maple Pumpkin Pots de Crème have an amazingly silky smooth texture. Each delicious bite is bursting with warm-spiced flavor – a beautiful, gourmet alternative to pie!
With a buttery crumble topping and a delicious pumpkin filling, this Easy Pumpkin Praline Cobbler is the perfect Fall dessert. Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and everyone will be in pumpkin heaven!
Need an impressive fall dessert – in a hurry? This beautiful Red Pear Galette recipe is easy – yet it looks like it comes from a fine bakeshop!
Thought for the day:
The LORD is my light and my salvation,
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life,
of whom shall I be afraid?
I am still confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
Psalm 27:1&14-14
What we're listening to for inspiration:
If you enjoy any of these recipes, please come back and leave a star rating and review! It’s so helpful to other readers to hear your results, adaptations and ideas for variations.
Mary Jayne Merchant says
Stubbled across you guys on Pinterest. LOVE!! the recipes for fall. I am having a cousin luncheon in October at our Granny's house, which is my house now. I love that I can make it ahead of time and they look sooooo delish! thank you!!
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Thank you for the kind comment, Mary Jayne! So glad you found us!
Vanessa says
What beautiful dishes! Beautiful presentation and photography. And you two are just adorable!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks so much, Vanessa!💕
Jean says
WOW. How to decide what to make first. This is a steller collection. Thank you for these. xoxoxo
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks so much, Jean! Enjoy!
Teresa Proano says
Amazing recipes! Can’t wait to choose and start baking and cooking!! Thank you for sharing your talent 🌷
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks so much, Teresa! Enjoy!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
These are all so beautiful and perfect for a Fall dinner party! And of course, make-ahead is the key, so everyone enjoys it 🙂
Carolbarbini says
I made your pumpkin cookies with whites chocolate chips. Delicious . Please help. I went to
Make them again and I can’t find the recipe.
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Carol, I think this is the recipe you're looking for: https://thecafesucrefarine.com/crispy-chewy-toffee-pumpkin-cookies/
Enjoy! ❤️ Chris