Vegan desserts are delicious and easy to make! Check out these 18 best vegan desserts, from cookies and brownies to sweet breads and frozen treats, that will satisfy any sweet tooth naturally.
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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, Thanksgiving table or 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.
1
Vegan Chocolate Mug Cake
This vegan chocolate mug cake is a quick, indulgent dessert that’s both rich and fudgy, all while being easy to make. Perfect for those late-night chocolate cravings or when you just want a sweet treat without baking a whole cake.
These vegan peanut butter cookies are soft, chewy, and loaded with rich peanut butter flavor. Made with plant-based ingredients like coconut sugar, oat milk, and maple syrup—no eggs or dairy required!
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.
Vegan banana muffins are soft, fluffy, and naturally sweet, the kind of treat that feels like dessert but still makes sense for breakfast. They’re made with ripe bananas, plant-based ingredients, and no eggs or dairy, yet still bake up with that classic bakery-style rise and tender crumb.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
12
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
Vegan Dessert Tips
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:
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.
I’m the mom who swapped Lucky Charms for green smoothies— and never looked back. Here you’ll find smoothie recipes and plant-based recipes made simple and tasty.
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.
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!!