Whoever said being vegan [1] was boring was clearly wrong. These days, you can find a vegan alternative to almost anything [2], from bacon to cheese, and if not, it doesn't take a celebrity chef [3] to get in the kitchen and start experimenting. While I'm all for trial and error, I take my desserts seriously. So when it come to vegan desserts, I only want the (vegan) crème de la crème. In other words, I ain't got time for errors. That's why I've spent a few too many hours researching the best of the best vegan dessert recipes to add to my 2021 to-do list.
Whether you're a fan of pumpkin pie, ice cream, or gooey chocolate brownies, read on to discover 15 delicious dairy-free desserts you didn't know could be made vegan.
Homemade Vegan Twix Bars
Layered with dark chocolate, toasted coconut shortbread, maple-syrup-based caramel, and flaky sea salt, these Homemade Vegan Twix Bars [4] by Half Baked Harvest are better than almost any traditional chocolate bar you can buy on the high street. The best part? They're also gluten-free.
Salted Caramel Apple Pie
If you thought being vegan meant you could never eat salted caramel, think again. Wallflower Kitchen's heavenly Salted Caramel Apple Pie [5] is completely vegan and completely delicious. And don't forget to make an extra batch of caramel for drizzling.
Baked Gluten-Free Donuts
Donuts are never a bad idea, and these Baked Gluten-Free Donuts [6] courtesy of A Saucy Kitchen are no different. Made with only 10 ingredients, all you need to do is substitute the eggs for six tablespoons of aquafaba to make it vegan friendly.
Samoas Cookies Ice Cream
40 Apron's Samoas Cookies Ice Cream [7] looks so good that you'll find it hard not to eat the whole tub yourself. Boasting a coconut-caramel ice cream base, it's only made better with toasted coconut, fresh-baked shortbread pieces, and a chocolate fudge swirl. Time to buy an ice cream maker!
White Bean Blondies
Show Me the Yummy whipped up these White Bean Blondies [8] after nailing black bean brownies, and though neither sound particularly appetising, the popular blogger promises that you can't taste the beans. With hints of cinnamon, maple, and chocolate, they're rich, moist, and everything else a blondie should be.
Vegan Meringue Made With Aquafaba
Meringues are quite a divisive dessert in my family, but if you're a fan of the sugary treats, you'll become addicted to A Saucy Kitchen's Vegan Meringue Made With Aquafaba [9]. Serve with a simple raspberry puree for an extra hint of sweetness.
Vegan Scotcheroos
When I was growing up in the '90s, Scotcheroos were all the rage. Though Show Me the Yummy's Vegan Scotcheroos [10] seem to be slightly healthier than I remember, I'm willing to bet that they're just as good today as they were back then.
Vegan Chocolate & Vanilla Mug Cake
When you're short on time, mug cakes are all you need to know about. Microwaved rather than oven baked, this entire process takes less than 10 minutes. This Vegan Chocolate and Vanilla Mug Cake [11] by Cotter Crunch, for example, only takes seven minutes to mix, cook, and eat.
S'mores Treats
Vegan desserts don't get much better than these S'mores Treats [12]. Baked up by Erin Clarke of Well Plated, expect your sweet tooth to be seriously satisfied — but be warned, just one square will leave you wanting more.
Baked Bananas
Baked Bananas [13] may sound boring, but when you're in need of a quick-fix, Food Faith Fitness claims there's simply nothing better. Wait until your bananas are extra ripe before you use them to ensure your dairy-free dessert is just the right amount of sickly sweet.
Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies
It wasn't until I stumbled upon A Cosy Kitchen's food blog that I realised Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies [14] were even a possibility. While you wonder how many chocolate chips is too many, keep in mind that the bigger the cookie, the better.
Fudgy Vegan Brownies
I'm not sure I could live without brownies. Vegan, non-vegan, plant-based — you name a kind of brownie, I'll eat it. While it's hard to beat my favourite brownies of all time (I'm talking about Ottolenghi's hazelnut brownies, of course), Dishing Out Health's Fudgy Vegan Brownies [15] are up there with the best.
Pumpkin Almond Butter Freezer Fudge
In my experience, fudge is always a bit hit or miss, but this Pumpkin Almond Butter Freezer Fudge [16] — from Fit Foodie Finds — might just prove me wrong. Lasting up to three months in the freezer, cook in bulk and keep them on hand for when you can't be bothered to whip something up.
Vegan Gooey Chocolate Coconut Caramel Bars
These Vegan Gooey Chocolate Coconut Caramel Bars [17] are the kind of dessert that disappear within minutes. The best option if you're trying to convince vegan sceptics that cooking without dairy is just as delicious as cooking with it, they're best served chilled or frozen if you're not a fan of gooey.
Vegan Pumpkin Pie
There's nothing quite like pumpkin pie. Traditionally served at Thanksgiving, it's always a crowd pleaser and deserves to be cooked more than once a year. Impress your friends (and yourself) with The Cookie Rookie's Vegan Pumpkin Pie [18] recipe.