8 Delicious Vegan Dessert Recipes You Have to Try

Vegan desserts have been revolutionizing the world of sweet treats, offering delectable flavors without any animal products. These recipes prove that you can fully enjoy the art of dessert-making while adhering to a vegan lifestyle. From creamy, dairy-free ice creams to rich, eggless chocolate cakes, vegan desserts can be incredibly diverse and indulgent. This guide brings you 8 delicious vegan dessert recipes that everyone, regardless of their dietary preferences, will love. Whether you’re a seasoned vegan cook or a curious beginner, these recipes will broaden your dessert repertoire and leave your sweet tooth satisfied.

Essential Ingredients for Vegan Desserts

1. Fruit and Vegetable Purees: Applesauce, mashed bananas, and pumpkin puree are wonderful substitutes for eggs in baking recipes. They add moisture and can often enhance the flavor of your dessert. Avocados are excellent for creating creamy textures in things like mousse or frosting.
2. Non-Dairy Milk and Creams: Almond milk, coconut milk, soy milk, oat milk, and other plant-based milks are great dairy alternatives in most dessert recipes. Similarly, coconut cream can replace traditional cream in recipes requiring a rich, creamy texture.
3. Vegan Sweeteners: Instead of traditional honey or white sugar, which is often processed using animal bone char, opt for vegan sweeteners like maple syrup, agave nectar, coconut sugar, or raw cane sugar. These can easily sweeten up your vegan desserts.
4. Vegan Chocolate and Cocoa: Many brands offer vegan-friendly chocolate and cocoa powder. Always read labels to ensure they don’t contain any dairy or other animal-derived ingredients.
5. Nuts and Seeds: These add texture, flavor, and are often used to create crusts or bases in vegan dessert recipes. Almonds, cashews, and dates can be blended to create a raw, vegan crust for pies or cheesecakes, while flaxseeds or chia seeds can be used as binding agents.

Stocking your pantry with vegan baking and these vegan essentials will make vegan dessert creation a breeze. Whether you’re adapting a classic dessert recipe or trying a new vegan creation, these ingredients are key to making delectable vegan sweets.

Related: 15 Easy Vegan Recipes for Beginners.

1. Vegan Chocolate Mousse – A Decadent Delight

Vegan Chocolate Mousse is a decadent dessert that proves how delightful vegan recipes can be. This creamy, rich treat captures the indulgence of traditional chocolate mousse without any dairy or eggs.

Vegan Chocolate Mousse Recipe:

Ingredients:

1 ripe avocado, 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/4 cup agave syrup, 1/4 cup almond milk, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract.

1. Cut the avocado in half, remove the pit, and scoop the flesh into a food processor.
2. Add the cocoa powder, agave syrup, almond milk, and vanilla extract to the food processor.
3. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth. This may take a couple of minutes. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the food processor as needed.
4. Once smooth, divide the mousse between two dessert dishes and chill in the fridge for at least an hour before serving.

This vegan chocolate mousse is not only a healthier alternative to its traditional counterpart, but it’s also a flavor-packed dessert that is sure to impress both vegans and non-vegans alike.

2. Vegan Blueberry Crumble – A Fruity Twist

The Vegan Blueberry Crumble combines the sweet, tangy flavors of blueberries with a crispy oat topping for a dessert that’s both delicious and comforting. It’s a delightful vegan dessert that can easily be enjoyed year-round.

Vegan Blueberry Crumble Recipe:

Ingredients:

4 cups fresh or frozen blueberries, 1 cup rolled oats, 1/2 cup almond meal, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup coconut oil.

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a baking dish. Spread blueberries evenly in the dish.
2. In a bowl, combine the rolled oats, almond meal, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
3. Melt the coconut oil and pour it into the oat mixture. Stir until all the dry ingredients are moistened.
4. Sprinkle the oat mixture evenly over the blueberries.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the blueberry filling is bubbling.

This Vegan Blueberry Crumble is a perfect dessert to serve warm from the oven, maybe with a scoop of your favorite vegan ice cream on top. Enjoy this delightful fruity treat!

3. Vegan Vanilla Cupcakes – A Classic Redefined

Recreating the classic vanilla cupcake in a vegan format may seem like a challenge, but with the right ingredients, it’s entirely possible. These Vegan Vanilla Cupcakes are moist, fluffy, and wonderfully sweet, making them a hit at any occasion.

Vegan Vanilla Cupcakes Recipe:

Ingredients:

1 cup soy milk, 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar, 2 cups flour, 2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup vegan margarine, 1 cup granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract.

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
2. Combine soy milk and vinegar and let it sit for a few minutes to curdle.
3. In a bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
4. In another bowl, cream the margarine and sugar until fluffy, then add vanilla extract. Alternately mix in dry ingredients and curdled soy milk until well combined.
5. Pour the batter into cupcake liners and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into a cupcake comes out clean.

These cupcakes can be enjoyed as they are or topped with your favorite vegan frosting for an extra touch of indulgence.

4. Vegan Lemon Bars – A Zesty Treat

Vegan Lemon Bars are a zesty dessert that’ll surely brighten your day. With a crumbly base and a tangy, creamy lemon topping, these bars are a wonderful vegan version of the classic treat.

Vegan Lemon Bars Recipe:

Ingredients:

For the crust – 1 cup flour, 1/3 cup powdered sugar, 1/2 cup vegan butter; For the filling – 1 cup fresh lemon juice, 1 cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 3 tablespoons flour, 1/4 teaspoon turmeric (for color), a pinch of salt.

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Combine crust ingredients and press into the bottom of a lined 8×8 baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, whisk together filling ingredients until smooth.
3. Once the crust is slightly golden, pour the filling over the hot crust. Bake for another 20 minutes.
4. Allow to cool completely before dusting with powdered sugar and cutting into squares.

These Vegan Lemon Bars are the perfect balance of sweet and tangy, making them an irresistible vegan dessert. Enjoy your zesty treat!

5. Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies – Nutty and Nourishing

Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies are wonderfully flavorful, offering the perfect balance of sweet and salty with a satisfying nutty depth. These cookies are both indulgent and nourishing, proving that vegan desserts can be as delicious as traditional ones.

Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe:

Ingredients:

1 cup peanut butter, 1 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup almond milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 cup flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon salt.

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mix together the peanut butter and brown sugar until creamy. Then add the almond milk and vanilla extract.
3. In another bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a dough forms.
5. Form tablespoon-sized balls and place them on the baking sheet, flattening slightly with a fork.
6. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly golden. Allow to cool before serving.

These cookies are simple yet fulfilling, making them the perfect vegan treat for any occasion. Enjoy these Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies and their delightful nutty charm!

6. Vegan Chocolate Chip Banana Bread – A Rich Indulgence

Vegan Chocolate Chip Banana Bread takes the beloved classic to a new level by incorporating rich chocolate chips into the mix. The result is a moist, flavorful bread that’s a decadent delight, yet fully plant-based.

Vegan Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe:

Ingredients:

3 ripe bananas, 1/3 cup melted coconut oil, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 2 cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, a pinch of salt, 1 cup vegan chocolate chips.

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a loaf pan.
2. Mash the bananas in a large bowl. Add the melted coconut oil, sugar, and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
3. In another bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this to the banana mixture, stirring just until combined.
4. Fold in the chocolate chips, then pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
5. Bake for 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

This Vegan Chocolate Chip Banana Bread is a rich indulgence that can be enjoyed at any time of the day. Slice it up and savor the delightful fusion of banana and chocolate in every bite.

7. Vegan Coconut Ice Cream – A Tropical Escape

Vegan Coconut Ice Cream is a luxurious treat that transports you straight to a tropical paradise with each creamy, cooling bite. Made without any dairy, this ice cream showcases the rich, sweet flavor of coconut.

Vegan Coconut Ice Cream Recipe:

Ingredients:

2 cans (13.5 oz each) full-fat coconut milk, 3/4 cup sugar, 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract, a pinch of salt.

1. Blend all the ingredients together until smooth, using a blender or food processor.
2. Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This usually takes around 20-30 minutes.
3. Once churned to a soft-serve consistency, transfer the ice cream to a lidded container. Freeze for at least 4 hours, or until firm enough to scoop.
4. Allow to soften slightly before serving for the best texture.

This Vegan Coconut Ice Cream is a simple, yet deliciously satisfying dessert that’s perfect for a hot day or whenever you’re in the mood for a tropical escape.

8. Vegan Strawberry Cheesecake – Creamy and Dreamy

Vegan Strawberry Cheesecake is a dessert that’ll make your dreams come true. This creamy, dreamy delight captures the essence of traditional cheesecake, but without any dairy, and with a refreshing burst of juicy strawberries.

Vegan Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe:

Ingredients:

For the crust – 1 cup graham cracker crumbs, 5 tablespoons melted coconut oil; For the filling – 2 cups cashews (soaked overnight), 1 cup fresh strawberries, 1/2 cup maple syrup, 1/2 cup coconut oil, juice of 1 lemon.

1. Combine the graham cracker crumbs and melted coconut oil, then press into the bottom of a springform pan to form the crust.
2. Blend the soaked cashews, strawberries, maple syrup, coconut oil, and lemon juice until smooth.
3. Pour this mixture over the crust and smooth with a spatula.
4. Freeze for at least 4 hours, or until firm.
5. Allow to thaw slightly before serving, and garnish with fresh strawberries for extra appeal.

This Vegan Strawberry Cheesecake is a decadent dessert that is perfect for special occasions or whenever you want to indulge in a dairy-free delight.

Conclusion

Our journey through these 8 delicious vegan dessert recipes proves that plant-based eating can be rich, satisfying, and incredibly tasty. From the chocolatey decadence of Vegan Chocolate Mousse to the tropical luxury of Coconut Ice Cream, these desserts cater to a wide range of preferences. We hope these recipes have inspired you to explore the potential of vegan desserts further. Remember, vegan baking is about creativity, compassion, and the joy of discovering that healthy and delectable can indeed go hand in hand.