I’m a firm believer in dessert, not just as a reward or a treat-yo-self kind of thing. That is to say, there’s not much wrong with enjoying food that tastes good! And I’ve found the best vegan desserts to bring to the party. My Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies are a staple at our Thanksgiving table and these Gluten-Free Brownies always make an appearance during girls’ night.
Why choose vegan options on the dessert table? Things like animal proteins and dairy often cause my body to feel sluggish and sore, so I choose vegan options when I can. That’s where plant-based desserts come into the picture.
And don’t worry! When you see how easy it is to make a decadent, Cherry Chocolate Bark without an oven you’ll fall in love, too.
I’ve discovered through baking this way for years that eggs, cream and butter don’t need to be in something to make it indulgent, tasty or a dessert.
These plant-based desserts show how easy it is to bake something full of flavor using plant-based ingredients that are still real. I tend to stay away from butter substitutes and powdered eggs and instead work with real things like coconut oil, cacao and natural sweeteners.
Soft Ginger Cookies with Chocolate Chips
5 from 7 votes
These soft ginger cookies are also naturally gluten free. The flavor of warm ginger shines through thanks to both dried ground ginger and freshly grated ginger. The second best part might just be the pockets of dark chocolate in each bite. These are sure to become a favorite!
A fun bread the whole family can enjoy (and help make!). I love that this bread contains a whole cup of veggies and that it's vegan, though you can't even tell!
Thick, fudgy brownies that also happen to be vegan and gluten-free. (No one will be able to tell!) Loaded with delicious chocolate flavor and a great texture, this Fudgy Gluten-Free Brownie Recipe really hit the spot.
These are simply THE BEST vegan chocolate chip cookies around! We’ve given them another upgrade by adding in toasted coconut (you can buy it or make it) and toasted almonds for extra flavor and crunch. Use your favorite dark chocolate chips and bake up a batch or two. They make great gifts and store well in the freezer for when a craving hits.
The first time I taste-tested my Healthy Caramel Apple Dip I was floored. How can something without corn syrup or brown sugar taste just like caramel? It’s ridiculously good and can easily be baked into cakes, used to dip all manner of fruits, swirled into cupcakes and more.
These treats have graced my home for years and my kids’ friends don’t bat an eye when I pull out my vegan dessert recipes that rival the classics.
5-Ingredient Date Caramel
4.9 from 8 votes
Hope you're sitting down because this healthy date caramel is going to blow your mind! Made with all-natural, plant-based ingredients and ZERO added sugar (no corn syrup!), this sauce is rawkin'. Use as a spread, dip, topping, sauce, filling, or just eat it by the spoonful.
My move to Florida introduced me to a beautiful Latin American food culture. I instantly fell in love with the smells and flavors of Latin cuisine and especially with sweet fried plantains. They are super easy to make and SO enjoyable as a fun side dish or light dessert. Feel free to dress them up how you want and enjoy my Latin-inspired version.
These Healthy Rice Krispie Treats are made with almond butter, brown rice syrup (or raw honey!), and whole grain cereal. No corn syrup, no marshmallows—just chewy, satisfying, crispy bars you’ll feel good about sharing with the whole family.
You'll definitely wanna include this vegan peanut butter fudge into your holiday menu this year. This decadent recipe is easy to make and provides a beautifully rich treat. Plus, it's only 4 ingredients!
These lemon fat bombs, or melt-aways, make a great quick afternoon snack. I should warn you, you really have to like lemons to enjoy these tart treats.
This 4-ingredient Cherry Chocolate Bark recipe is so easy to make and customize to create your own signature version to enjoy with family and friends this holiday season.
These chocolate-covered banana bites are pure magic when you're trying to eat clean but still need that sweet, chocolatey fix. Creamy almond butter is sandwiched between naturally sweet banana slices, then dipped in rich, melty dark chocolate with a hint of coconut. Each bite is the perfect combo of sweet, salty, and satisfying—like a frozen dessert you actually feel good about eating.
If baked or stove-top recipes aren’t on your radar, then let me introduce some cold and iced options that will shock and amaze you. Try a creamy Blackberry Coconut Sorbet with some farmer’s market berries, or whip up this Strawberry Vegan Milkshake for your next BBQ.
My Vegan Ice Cream recipe is shockingly smooth and silky, just like its regular vanilla ice cream counterpart, yet doesn’t leave me bloated like milk-based ice creams do.
These chilled recipes are designed to allow the natural sweetness from the real fruits to shine, with minimal added sugar. I focus on creaming them up using cashew milk or other dairy-free milk options.
Coconut cream will become your best friend in the world of vegan desserts. Please let me know when you try my ice cream recipe with the vegan brownies because you’ll never go back to anything else again!
Coconut Joy Vegan Smoothie Bowl
4.6 from 24 votes
Blend up some plant-based goodness for a delicious, nutrient-rich dessert or snack. The flavors of coconut, chocolate and almond come together quickly in this vegan smoothie bowl.
Looking for a sweet, creamy and healthy dessert? This refreshing blackberry Coconut Sorbet recipe is made in a blender and freezer Top with fresh berries and coconut flakes to take this sorbet recipe to the next level.
This simple strawberry vegan milkshake has passed the taste test with my kids and their friends—so trust me, it’s a winner! Plus you won’t suffer the bloating or breakouts that traditional strawberry milkshakes can cause thanks to me using coconut milk. Feel free to swap out the coconut milk for another nut milk you prefer, such as almond milk or cashew milk.
Take summer by creamy storm with this decadent vegan ice cream recipe. I use just six ingredients to create a chilled dessert that scoops like the real thing. And because I love ice cream so much, I've also included two bonus recipes for the perfect toppings!
Blend up this vibrant mangonada recipe for the ultimate summer refreshment! This Mexican-inspired drink combines juicy mango, tangy lime, and a swirl of sweet chamoy for a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and tart flavors. It's a fun and flavorful treat that's as bold as it is delicious!
Live it up this season with my Mango Sorbet recipe. It is dairy-free, frosty and vibrantly orange. Ready for dessert seekers young and old and easy to make!
Cacao adds rich chocolate flavor as well as a big boost of iron and other vitamins and minerals coupled with healthy fats to this chocolate smoothie bowl.
Often people think that eating vegan means eliminating everything “normal,” yet this just isn’t true! You can easily enjoy ice cream, cake, cookies, brownies, milkshakes and more using plant-based ingredients. It’s not hard once you learn how to substitute for dairy and eggs, and you might find a recipe you like better that’s vegan!
What type of desserts do vegans eat?
When I show up to a party, I often set my brownies and ice cream out without a word (unless I know there is an allergy of some kind!). I let people rave about the creaminess, fudgy bits, and praise me for making these items from scratch. Then I let them know there is no dairy or eggs in any of it! All this to say, vegans can eat all kinds of sweet treats. It’s not hard to make something animal-free and often tastes just as amazing.
Why are vegan desserts healthier?
Vegan desserts aren’t always healthier, yet they can be. When baking something without cream and eggs, I often also switch out the refined sugar for maple syrup or honey and the flour for a nut based flour. This helps with inflammation, and adds a bit more fiber into a dish than traditional baking does. I really just focus on fueling my body with real, whole food ingredients so even my desserts are made with plants.
Tips and Tricks
It’s not hard to make desserts without items like dairy, eggs and gelatin, yet sometimes it can be tricky finding replacements for baking staples so I’m here to help! Here are some things I use in making and baking vegan desserts that help make them tasty, animal-free and wonderful:
Flax Eggs: This is a great egg replacement. I use it in baked goods like my Healthy Zucchini Bread and it works wonderfully.
Cashew Cream: This is a tasty replacement for traditional sour cream. It can be made sweet or savory and used as a dip, cream, or inside baked goods.
Vegan Yogurt: I love eating this with healthy granola yet you can use it to replace yogurt with sweet treats.
Coconut Whipped Cream: Anything you top with regular whipped cream try topping with this! You can enjoy it as is, or add in cinnamon or cocoa powder to change up the flavor. I love adding it to my chocolate smoothie bowl and turning it into a pudding.
Which one of the best vegan dessert recipes has you running to the kitchen? Drop a comment and let me know!
Made this with So Delicious! brand ice cream… amazing. I love having a whole food dessert option, especially when it takes the same amount of time to make and is delicious.
I absolutely love a great green smoothie, but I have yet to venture into plant based desserts. I must say though, this looks really good! I can’t wait to step out of my comfort zone and give it a try 🙂
We love hearing when someone steps out of their comfort zone with our recipes. It always ends well and you learn to love something that you never thought you would before!! Yay!!
Made this with So Delicious! brand ice cream… amazing. I love having a whole food dessert option, especially when it takes the same amount of time to make and is delicious.
I’m addicted to ice cream and this definitely hits the spot when I’m craving it! Thanks for a healthy alternative. 🙂
I’m totally making this today for the 4th of July!!!! Thanks Jen and the rawkstar team!
That sounds great!
Sounds amazing and delicious too x
Thanks for your feedback Maree!!
Yum!! Can’t wait to make this!
Thanks for your feedback Jenny!
Sounds yummy!
Thanks for your comment Debbie!
I absolutely love a great green smoothie, but I have yet to venture into plant based desserts. I must say though, this looks really good! I can’t wait to step out of my comfort zone and give it a try 🙂
We love hearing when someone steps out of their comfort zone with our recipes. It always ends well and you learn to love something that you never thought you would before!! Yay!!
Is there a brand or type of non-dairy ice cream that you recommend?
This sounds tasty!
Let us know what you think when you give it a try!