18 Best Vegan Desserts

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.

Best Baked Vegan Desserts

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.

1

Fudgy Gluten-Free Brownies

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.

Fudgy Gluten-Free Brownies

Tasty Plant-Based Treats

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.

2

Salted Date Caramel Recipe

In this date caramel recipe, sweet Medjool dates and creamy cashew butter blend into a thick, rich caramel with sea salt that tastes far too indulgent for something made without dairy or refined sugar. With just five simple ingredients, you’ll want to spread and drizzle it on everything.

Salted Date Caramel Recipe

3

Sweet Fried Plantains

These healthier fried plantains are pan-fried in unrefined coconut oil until golden, then finished with a warm coconut sugar and cinnamon coating for that classic caramelized flavor. Made with simple, real-food ingredients, they're just as sweet and satisfying as the traditional version, minus the heavy oil and refined sugar.

Sweet Fried Plantains

4

Healthy Rice Krispie Treats

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.

Healthy Rice Krispie Treats

5

Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge Bites

These chocolate peanut butter fudge bites are creamy, rich, and naturally sweetened with Medjool dates for a wholesome twist. A silky peanut butter base pairs perfectly with a drizzle of chocolate and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. It’s an easy no-bake dessert you can whip up in minutes and keep stocked in the freezer for anytime cravings.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge Bites

6

Lemon Fat Bombs

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.

Lemon Fat Bombs

7

Cherry Chocolate Bark

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.

Cherry Chocolate Bark

8

Frozen Chocolate Banana Bites

These frozen chocolate 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.

Frozen Chocolate Banana Bites

Blended Dessert Options

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 non-dairy 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!

9

Coconut Smoothie Bowl

This Coconut Smoothie Bowl is thick, creamy, and deeply chocolatey without using dairy or refined sugar. Coconut milk and almond butter create a satisfying base, while spinach blends in unnoticed. Finished with crunchy toppings, this smoothie bowl feels indulgent yet nourishing—perfect for breakfast, post-workout fuel, or a healthy chocolate fix.

Coconut Smoothie Bowl

10

Creamy Blackberry Coconut Sorbet

Make your own coconut sorbet recipe with just four ingredients. Made with rich coconut milk and your favorite seasonal fruit—like blackberries—it’s dairy-free, naturally sweetened, and incredibly easy to make. Just blend, freeze, and stir until it’s thick and scoopable.

Creamy Blackberry Coconut Sorbet

11

Strawberry Vegan Milkshake

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.

Strawberry Vegan Milkshake

12

Mangonada Smoothie (Chamoyada)

Blend up this vibrant mangonada recipe for the ultimate summer refreshment! This Mexican-inspired smoothie 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!

Mangonada Smoothie (Chamoyada)

13

5-Minute Mango Sorbet

Make Mango Sorbet at home quickly with my 3-ingredient recipe hack. No added sweeteners or ice cream maker needed to have an indulgent treat on a hot day.

5-Minute Mango Sorbet

14

Chocolate Smoothie Bowl

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.

Chocolate Smoothie Bowl

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!