Life
14 Vegan Desserts That Are Nutty, Creamy, Decadent, And Surprisingly Delicious
I'll admit that dessert is the last thing on my mind when I sit down for dinner. After a day of prepping veggies and spices and starches, I don't feel like stressing over puddings, cakes, cookies, and mousses. But that said, no dinner is complete without dessert — and healthy vegan desserts can be surprisingly delicious.
If you're newly vegan, it's easy to feel like your dessert options are suddenly limited. Everything gooey, chewy, and rich that you once loved now just feels off-limits, tainted by the milks, creams, butters, and eggs you've sworn off. But any seasoned vegan will tell you that with a few simple swaps, all those rich, creamy, and devilishly decadent treats you love are still lovable — and enjoyable.
Instead of those heavy ingredients, mashed bananas, ripe avocados, and savory cacao come together to make all your favorite after-dinner snacks taste even better than you remember them.
Need more proof? These 14 cakes, cookies, and savory sweet goodies will have you craving a little something sweet. (And we can't blame you.)
Image: Cookie and Kate
Fig, Coconut, and Blackberry Ice Cream
Want to taste summer all winter long? (Yes.) Here’s to endless blue skies, warm summer breezes, days spent at the beach, and backyard barbecues with your best friends. All thanks to a little sweetness from Green Kitchen Stories.
Image: Green Kitchen Stories
Black Raspberry Sorbet
Take it from me: You’re going to wish you had double (OK, fine; triple) this blackberry sorbet recipe from Naturally Ella. It’s that good.
Image: Naturally Ella
Vegan Thumbprint Cookies
They might be a holiday favorite, but who’s to say you can’t snack on these thumbprint cookies courtesy of Oh She Glows all year round?
Image: Oh She Glows
Cinnamon Pull-Apart Fantails
There’s nothing quite like a homemade, heavenly snack on a sub-zero day. Thankfully, we don’t have to go all winter without these divine fantails from Naturally Ella’s kitchen. We won’t tell if you eat them all in one sitting.
Image: Naturally Ella
Chocolate Cake Balls
Topped with nuts, vegan frosting, vegan whipped cream, and sprinkles — these vegan, gluten-free cake balls courtesy of Oh She Glows will bring down the house. But fair warning: You should probably double the recipe — they go fast.
Image: Oh She Glows
No Cook Fudge
Bananas, peanut butter, coconut butter, and raw cacao powder make this no-fuss fudge recipe from Cookie and Kate a homer every time you serve it.
Image: Cookie and Kate
Flower Power Cake
Have you ever seen a more stunning culinary confection? Didn’t think so. Packed with raw superfoods like almonds and sunflower seeds, this Green Kitchen Stories vegan cake looks good enough to eat.
Image: Green Kitchen Stories
Avocado Cacao Mousse
The Kitchn dubs this rich and creamy confection “velvety, luxurious, nutty, and rich — basically a more dimensional chocolate ganache,” and they couldn’t be more spot on. The cacao adds the sweetness while the avocado keeps this mousse thick, creamy, and good-til-the-last-bite.
Image: The Kitchn
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
What’s more exciting than a Reese’s and more fun to eat when you’re alone and have the whole batch to yourself? These Oh She Glows-approved vegan peanut butter cups.
Image: Oh She Glows
Cherry Chocolate Cake
I’ve only got two words for this decadent dish from Cookie and Kate: More, please.
Image: Cookie and Kate
Cherry, Banana Coconut Butter Bread
The best kind of dessert is the kind you can get away with bringing to work for “breakfast” and not having anyone look twice at your plate. Fool you friends, your coworker, and your New Year’s diet with this bread recipe from Oh She Glows.
Image: Oh She Glows
Maple Caramel Popcorn
If super rich and creamy sweets aren’t your thing, try this refreshing, crunchy popcorn recipe from Cookie and Kate. It has all the salts you’ve been missing, plus a little savory to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Image: Cookie and Kate
Coconut Tapioca Pudding With Smoked Sesame Seeds
If you’ve got time on your hands, this tapioca recipe is for you. The tapioca pearls need to soak overnight (or at least for four hours) before they’re ready to cook. And while it’s good on its own, The Kitchn swears this dish gets a whole ‘nother layer of flavor from the smoked sesame seed topping. We kinda agree.
Image: The Kitchn
Vegan Apple Pie
86 Lemons knows that sometimes there’s nothing a little apple pie can’t fix.
Image: 86 Lemons
