Johann Hunt
Who says you have to compromise on taste to eat plant-based? Gone are the days when vegan desserts meant bland cookies and fruit bowls. Today, plant-based desserts are delicious and made with nutrient-dense ingredients that make indulgence guilt-free. Here are 20 must-try sweets that deliver on all fronts.
Vegan Chocolate Avocado Mousse
Creamy and incredibly indulgent, vegan chocolate avocado mousse is a game-changer. Avocado provides the perfect creamy texture and is a healthier alternative to dairy. Add cocoa powder, and you’ve got a smooth, velvety dessert that satisfies your chocolate cravings in no time!
Vegan Lemon Bars
Vegan lemon bars have a creamy cashew filling on a buttery almond flour crust. The tangy lemon juice gives the filling a bright, citrus-forward flavor, while the almond base adds a pleasant crunch. The result is a refreshing, sweet-tart treat that’s perfectly satisfying with every bite.
Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies
Flax eggs and vegan butter make these chocolate chip cookies delightfully chewy and perfectly textured. With a touch of brown sugar and vanilla, each mouthful delivers that perfect balance of sweetness, and the dark chocolate chips add a layer of tempting flavors.
Vegan Cheesecake
What makes vegan cheesecake so irresistible? Cashews and coconut milk create a luscious, creamy filling, while the crust mixes nuts and dates to form a firm, slightly sweet base. A touch of lemon juice adds tang and balances the dessert’s overall flavor.
Vegan Cinnamon Rolls
Vegan cinnamon rolls are made with plant-based butter and milk to achieve a tender dough. The filling combines cinnamon and brown sugar for a rich, spiced sweetness. After baking, they’re typically topped with a simple powdered sugar glaze, but you can choose to opt out.
Vegan Chocolate Cake
Perfect for all events, this chocolate cake is topped with plant-based frosting. Replacing eggs with applesauce or aquafaba ensures a fluffy texture, and the plant-based milk keeps it moist. The decadent flavor satisfies your chocolate cravings without compromising on plant-based ingredients.
Vegan Strawberry Shortcake
How do you make strawberry shortcake plant-based? Use almond flour for tender biscuits and coconut whipped cream for a light topping. Plus, those fresh strawberries provide a juicy, sweet contrast that complements the biscuits and makes a flavorful dessert without animal products.
Vegan Apple Crisp
When autumn calls, nothing hits the spot like a warm vegan apple crisp. This dessert, which uses oats, cinnamon, and maple syrup for the crumble, highlights the natural sweetness of apples without dairy or eggs. The apples soften beautifully, and the crumble becomes golden and crisp. It’s the ideal texture contrast.
Vegan Chocolate Pudding
Made with avocado, coconut milk, and dark chocolate, vegan chocolate pudding is smooth and creamy. The avocado adds richness, while the coconut milk ensures a silky texture. Drizzled with maple syrup and a little bit of vanilla, it’s a satisfying dessert with deep chocolate flavor.
Vegan Coconut Macaroons
Coconut fans will fall in love with these vegan coconut macaroons. They’re light yet satisfying and made with shredded coconut, maple syrup, and aquafaba (the liquid from chickpeas). Dip them in dark chocolate for an extra touch of sweetness!
Vegan Banana Bread
Utilizing flaxseed or chia seeds in place of eggs, this vegan banana bread stays moist and tender. Overripe bananas add natural sweetness and create a flavorful loaf that’s perfect for any time of day. The texture is soft and dense, with a rich, banana-forward flavor in every bite.
Vegan Chocolate Lava Cakes
Vegan chocolate lava cakes are a dramatic way to satisfy your sweet tooth. With a warm, gooey center made from plant-based chocolate, these cakes make for a thrilling dessert experience. They are made with almond flour and coconut oil. Also, they bake perfectly and have a molten center that oozes with each bite.
Vegan Donuts
With non-dairy milk and plant-based butter, vegan donuts are light and fluffy. You can bake or fry them to achieve the perfect texture. A sweet glaze or powdered sugar provides a yummy balance of sweetness and texture in every bite.
Vegan Ice Cream
When it comes to a sweet, frozen treat, vegan ice cream offers endless possibilities. Made with coconut milk, almond milk, or cashews, this dairy-free delight comes in a variety of flavors—from vanilla bean to matcha. It’s typically sweetened with natural sugars like maple syrup or agave.
Vegan Chia Pudding
Chia pudding is a versatile, healthy dessert that’s as simple as it is satisfying. When you put chia seeds in almond or coconut milk overnight, you create a creamy, pudding-like texture. It’s naturally high in fiber and omega-3s, which makes it a nutrient-packed option that can be enjoyed at any time of day.
Vegan Pumpkin Pie
Vegan pumpkin pie delivers all the seasonal flavor with none of the dairy. The filling is made from silken tofu or coconut cream, which is what makes it silky and rich. It’s sweetened with maple syrup or coconut sugar. You can spice it with cinnamon and nutmeg to create a smooth, firm texture.
Vegan Rice Pudding
Vegan rice pudding is a plant-based twist on the traditional dessert. It uses coconut or almond milk for a smooth, creamy texture. A hint of cinnamon and vanilla enriches the taste, and the rice absorbs the milk, creating a thick, creamy concoction that holds up well when chilled.
Vegan S’mores Bars
These vegan s’mores bars combine crunchy graham crackers, melted vegan chocolate, and gooey marshmallows into a sweet, nostalgic treat. You can enjoy this campfire classic without the dairy with just a few simple swaps. The graham crackers provide a crisp base, while the marshmallows melt perfectly for a chewy, satisfying texture.
Vegan Peach Cobbler
A classic summer dessert, vegan peach cobbler features juicy peaches paired with a fluffy biscuit topping. It’s made without butter or dairy, so everyone can enjoy this sweet, comforting treat. Serve it warm with one or two scoops of dairy-free ice cream for the ultimate experience.
Vegan Mocha Mousse
Vegan mocha mousse is a decadent dessert that combines the best of chocolate and coffee. Made with silken tofu and dark chocolate, it has a creamy texture and a hint of caffeine kick. For coffee lovers, this dessert offers a rich, indulgent experience like no other.