18 Vegan Desserts That Everyone Will Love

From cupcakes and fruit crisps to chocolate pudding, this delicious selection of plant-based desserts promises to please all.

Vegan Apple Crisp
Photo:

Mike Krautter

Craving something sweet? From our take on a chocolate layer cake to two kinds of baked fruit crisps, our very best vegan desserts (made sans dairy!) are delightful. In order to provide the moisture and fat that traditional dairy products offer, our recipes make use of vegan-friendly alternatives. Make one of these recipes, and the vegans in your life—or anyone with a dairy intolerance—will love you. Perhaps best of all, those without dietary restrictions won't even know the difference.

Our vegan dessert recipes range from plant-based spins on classics (we're looking at you, chocolate cake) to unique sweets such as spiced cashew-coconut brittle and plum pâtes de fruits. Whether you make them for a special occasion or give smaller treats as a gift during the holiday season, you can feel good knowing that there is something delicious—and safe—here for everyone to eat.

01 of 18

Vegan Chocolate Pudding

vegan chocolate pudding
Nico Schinco

It's rich and smooth, but the creaminess in this dairy-free pudding comes from cashews, not custard. Another bonus: This irresistible vegan dessert is no-cook!

02 of 18

Strawberry-Oat Bars

raw-strawberry-oat-bar-0711mbd107373.jpg

These no-bake vegan treats are also gluten-free and have no refined sugars, so they really are a dessert for everyone. The only equipment you need to make them is a food processor to combine the pitted dates, nuts, and oats for the crust. And you don't need to chill them, they are ready to enjoy the moment you make them.

03 of 18

Vegan Blueberry Crisp

Vegan Blueberry Crisp
Bryan Gardner

Oh so easy and oh so delicious, this vegan fruit crisp is guaranteed to please. Plump blueberries are topped with a crumble made from rolled oats, toasted almonds, sugar, and coconut oil, then baked until bubbling and golden brown.

04 of 18

Clementine Granita

clementine granita

Four ingredients (clementines, sugar, lemon juice, and fresh ginger), plus a few hours in the freezer, produce this dinner party-worthy dessert. Carefully cut out the clementine flesh to juice it so you can use the shells as cups to hold the frosty treat.

05 of 18

Vegan Chocolate Cake

mandy vegan chocolate cake
Bryan Gardner

Everyone needs one classic chocolate cake recipe in their life, and we think this one could be it for you. Our vegan version uses oil in the base for moistness and fat, margarine and dairy-free soy creamer in the fluffy icing, and brown rice syrup and more creamer in the silky ganache.

06 of 18

Vegan Apple Pie

apple-pie-gluten-free-pumpkin-vegan-apple-pie-d112284.jpg
linda xiao

Don't forget about your vegan relatives at Thanksgiving! Make this classic apple pie, which substitutes safflower oil in place of butter or lard for a flaky crust. Sprinkle the pie with turbinado sugar before baking for a shiny top that will make everyone want a slice.

07 of 18

Melon Milk Pops

melon milk pops
Marcus Nilsson

Who wouldn't want a taste of these bright, 70s-inspired ice pops? Their vivid colors are all-natural thanks to the trio of watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew, which are each blended with coconut condensed milk and fresh lime juice.

08 of 18

Dark Chocolate Truffles

desserts-chocolate-truffles-0115.jpg
Johnny Miller

Many traditional truffle recipes call for heavy cream, but here we're using coconut oil, which provides fat and body to the rich ganache. Roll in whatever toppings you please (we prefer cocoa powder, chopped nuts, and shredded coconut).

09 of 18

Vegan Avocado Ice Cream

avocado ice cream
Martyna Szczesna

Even if you don't have a penchant for all things green, we have a feeling you'll adore this cool and creamy dessert. Avocados and coconut milk provide all the body needed for this vegan ice cream.

10 of 18

Spiced Cashew-Coconut Brittle

spiced cashew-coconut brittle
Alpha Smoot

Snap, crackle, and yum! This six-ingredient treat combines roasted unsalted cashews and unsweetened coconut flakes in a spiced cinnamon syrup. Whenever you need something a little sweet, a little salty, and a little spicy, this brittle is the answer.

11 of 18

Vegan Apple Oat Crisp

vegan-apple-crisp-0295-d112370.jpg
Mike Krautter

There are two surprises in this seasonal dessert. The first is that it's dairy- and gluten-free (win-win!). The second is that the filling includes dried cherries, which add a little bit of texture and tartness alongside Granny Smith apples. Do you need another reason to dig in?

12 of 18

Dark Chocolate-Walnut Date Bar

dark chocolate walnut date bar
Sidney Bensimon

Crowd-friendly and ready to take on the go at any time, this no-bake dessert is dairy- and gluten-free. The crust is made from walnuts, dates, peanut butter, and vanilla then is topped with melted chocolate and walnuts.

13 of 18

Berry Sorbet

berry sorbets scoops in bowl

No special ingredients are required for this cool vegan dessert. Berries and water are blended together, then mixed with a simple syrup (that's sugar and water) and frozen until it has set and is scoopable.

14 of 18

Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes

vegan-cupcake-0342-d112420.jpg
Mike Krautter

The perfect celebratory bite, these cupcakes are made with coconut oil and almond milk instead of dairy ingredients—and trust us, you won't be able to taste the difference.

15 of 18

Pecan, Oat, and Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies

oatmeal-pecan-cookies-050-d111738.jpg
Lennart Weibull

These treats are packed with nuts, oats, and chocolate, giving them a texture that's more like a granola bar than a cookie. They're free from dairy and gluten, so they're a dessert that nearly everyone can enjoy.

16 of 18

Carrot Ginger Ice Pops

Carrot-Ginger Ice Pops
Lennart Weibull

It requires just four ingredients and 15 minutes of prep work, so who could say no to this refreshing dessert? Carrot juice, strawberries, oranges, and fresh ginger are blended together, poured into molds, and frozen.

17 of 18

Avocado Chocolate Pudding

avocado chocolate pudding recipe

No one guess what gives this deliciously chocolatey pudding it's dreamy texture—and they'll be surprised when you tell them it's avocado. It's a no cook dessert and requires just four ingredients, the others are honey, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract. (Swap the honey for agave syrup if you prefer.)

18 of 18

Plum Pâtes de Fruits

plum pates de fruits
Louise Hagger

This naturally vegan candy is an elegant dessert to serve at a dinner or cocktail party. Use whatever flavor fruit purée you fancy and mix with sugar, citric acid, corn syrup, and fruit pectin, then pour into a candy mold and cool completely.

Updated by
Victoria Spencer
Victoria Spencer, senior food editor, MarthaStewart.com
Victoria Spencer is an experienced food editor, writer, and recipe developer. She manages the Martha Stewart recipe archive and is always curious about new ingredients and the best techniques. She has been working in food media for over 20 years.
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