25 Vegan Thanksgiving Desserts Even Non-Vegans Will Crave
Have your vegan cake and love it, too.
Sure, prepping for Thanksgiving as a vegan (or for a vegan!) means finding substitutes for eggs, butter, and milk. But that doesn't mean giving up classic fall desserts. We've rounded up 25 egg-free, dairy-free recipes that will be more than welcome at your Thanksgiving table.
Just a note about sweeteners: Did you know sugar is not actually vegan? It's because of how it's commercially processed using bone char. You can find certified vegan sugar, but you'll have to check the label. Vegan purists don't use honey, either. When in doubt use vegan-approved sweeteners such as maple sugar, maple syrup, brown rice syrup, molasses, date syrup, and agave.
1. Pumpkin Tart With Pecan Crust
Our home cooks consider this a Thanksgiving go-to. "Holy moly this is good," Beth writes. "My picky kid who loves pumpkin pie gave me a huge thumbs up — had no idea that it was secretly healthier than the average pie."
"I wanted a moist cake-brownie-like consistency for these pumpkin bars, and they turned out beautifully," reviewer keerthana says. "Incredibly delicious."
"I'm not vegan but I love this cake!" raves reviewer Diana Moutsopoulos. "It is so delicious and moist and stays that way for days. Perfect with coffee for breakfast. I followed to a T except I did reduce the sugar to 1 cup and it was still plenty sweet. I also used olive oil for the vegetable oil."
Can't decide between baking something chocolatey or pumpkin-y? Our Vegan Pumpkin Brownie will settle that debate. Recipe creator likeatcake recommends serving this ultra-comforting dessert topped with vegan coconut whipped cream or pumpkin seeds.
5. Healthy Vegan Pumpkin Oat Chocolate Chip Cookies
Pumpkin puree and coconut oil make these cookies perfectly moist and chewy.
Take advantage of apple season with these dumplings, drizzled in cinnamon sugar.
This apple pie's topping channels an apple crisp, with the addition of a foamy aquafaba meringue made of chickpea water..
This vegan version of a traditional American dessert fits right in at Thanksgiving.
"Outstanding! My family (plus my parents) were very impressed with these. Very simple but delicious," Alisha Bennett says.
10. Vegan Brownies
"These are delicious. The texture and density are good, and the taste is outstanding," reviewer browniefreak writes. "Had I not made them, I would never suspect they were vegan."
VIDEO: Vegan Brownies
11. Salted Chocolate-Sunflower Butter Bark
Dark chocolate gets salty with pretzels and sunflower butter. The savory elements of this treat will contrast super-sweet desserts in the best way.
"Cashews, non-dairy milk, and silken tofu are the secret ingredients in this rich, vegan cheesecake," Isa Chandra writes. "Homey spices like ginger and cinnamon add fall flavor."
13. The Best Gluten-Free Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie
Rolled oats, chopped walnuts, and chocolate chips give these satisfying cookies their texture.
14. Almond Delight Cookies with Dark Chocolate (Sugar-Free Almond Pulp Cookies)
Here's a way to use up almond pulp left over from making your own almond milk. Almond pulp, applesauce, and dates bring sweetness and moisture to these cookies, while cacao nibs, dark chocolate, cinnamon, and nutmeg lend add richness.
15. Vegan Tahini Shortbread Cookies
Believe it or not, the same creamy sesame paste brings a savory, nutty flavor hummus tastes as delicious baked into shortbread cookies.
Rolled in cinnamon-sugar, these classic cookies taste like fall. Applesauce makes them wonderfully fluffy.
17. Date-Nut and Brown Sugar Bars
"Dense as a brownie," our Date-Nut and Brown Sugar Bars would make the perfect companion to post-meal coffee.
A mixture of shredded carrots, dates, and walnuts replace a batter in this no-cook cake with a dreamy maple frosting.
"This was better than any store bought cake we have had, vegan or not," Christine Blankenship. For a stronger orange flavor, take a cue from our reviewers and add the zest of one orange to the batter.
20. Vegan Cupcakes
"Unreal! The recipe seriously makes me want to cry — in a good way. My son has a lot of food allergies, but this recipe changes it all," Julie says. Top these vanilla cupcakes with the frosting of your choice, such as our five-star Vegan Fluffy Peanut Butter Frosting.
Reviewers rave that even non-vegans scarf this cake down. Bake it once, and you'll want to return to it for holidays, birthdays, and just because.
22. Raw Vegan Chocolate Mousse Cake with a Peanut Butter Swirl
With the texture of mousse, the taste of peanut butter cups, and a coconut crust, this raw dessert checks all the right boxes.
You can't go wrong with a versatile vanilla cake, for Thanksgiving or otherwise. "This is the best vegan cake," reviewer Nicole Vetiac says. "My entire omnivore family loves it, and nearly all of my family members request it for their birthdays. Goes well with almost any type of frosting or filling, and it's super easy to make!"
Cashews, cocoa powder, maple syrup, and instant espresso powder flavor this vegan (and paleo) pudding. Chia seeds thicken it to perfection.
25. Vegan Date and Cashew Dessert
Orange zest and cardamom bring an unexpected zing to this not-quite-bite-sized treat, making it perfect to nosh on after a filling meal.
