40 Delicious Vegan Dessert Recipes for Every Occasion

Discover 40 of the best vegan desserts to satisfy any sweet tooth, for kids and adults alike. From light, airy cakes to chewy cookies, comforting pies to indulgent donuts, plus elegant holiday desserts that will impress your guests.

Vegan desserts with donuts, cakes, and pies

Table of Contents

  • Vegan Cakes
  • Fancy vegan desserts
  • Vegan Pastry Creams
  • Vegan Pastry and Brioche
  • Vegan Cookies and Pies
  • Easy Vegan Desserts
  • How to store Vegan desserts
  • 40 Vegan Desserts Recipe

Roll up your sleeves, gather simple ingredients, and get ready to bake a variety of plant-based sweets that everyone will love.

Vegan Cakes

These easy vegan cakes work for different dietary needs and are made without eggs or dairy. Using pantry staples, we create moist, flavorful cakes that prove plant-based desserts can be crowd-pleasers.

1. Vegan Apple Cake

baked vegan apple cake

This vegan apple cake is soft, moist, and packed with apple pieces. It’s an easy one-bowl recipe with simple ingredients and pairs beautifully with a dairy-free custard for extra indulgence.

2. Orange Cake

Orange cake on a plate

Light and fluffy, this egg-free orange cake takes only minutes to prepare. Enjoy it plain or fill it with a silky orange curd for a bright, citrusy dessert.

3. Easy Lemon Cake

vegan lemon cake with lemon zest and a missing slice

This airy lemon cake is quick and simple, made with a few pantry staples. Finish with dairy-free frosting for birthdays or special occasions.

4. Blueberry Pound Cake

lemon blueberry pound cake slices

A moist lemon blueberry pound cake with a gooey texture. Simple to make and packed with fresh fruit flavor.

5. Easy Cake Donuts

cake donuts with a bite

Whip up cinnamon cake donut batter in minutes. Egg-free and quick to bake, they’re perfect for last-minute treats.

6. Easy Vanilla Cake

Vegan vanilla cake with frosting

A classic vegan vanilla cake that’s soft, moist, and light despite being free of eggs, milk, and butter.

8. Carrot Cake (egg-free)

vegan carrot cake with frosting

This vegan carrot cake uses straightforward ingredients for a rich, light, and moist result that keeps sugar and oil in check while delivering big flavor.

9. Egg-free Pear Cake

Pear cake with cinnamon and fresh pears

A simple round pear cake studded with tender pear pieces that release juice as it bakes, keeping the crumb moist and flavorful.

10. Blueberry Lemon Cake

blueberry cake with fresh blueberries

Ready in minutes and free of eggs and dairy, this cake showcases juicy blueberries and bright lemon notes.

11. Vegan Coffee Cake

vegan coffee cake

Soft, spongy, and brimming with coffee flavor. Try it layered with coffee custard or hazelnut cream for an extra-special treat.

12. Lemon Pound Cake

Lemon pound cake bite

A simple lemon pound cake that’s soft and spongy—perfect for breakfast or a light dessert with jam.

13. Vegan Brownies

Vegan brownies stacked on a plate

Rich, fudgy double chocolate brownies that take minutes to prepare and bake into a chocolate-lover’s dream.

Fancy vegan desserts

Impress guests with elegant vegan desserts that suit celebrations and special gatherings while remaining entirely plant-based.

14. Sweet Potato Casserole

vegan sweet potato casserole ready to serve

A comforting vegan sweet potato casserole with a crunchy pecan-oat crumble instead of marshmallows, delivering familiar holiday flavors with easy ingredients.

15. Apple Crisp

Vegan apple crisp with syrup

Perfect from early fall through the holidays, this apple crisp uses non-dairy butter and brown sugar for a warm, cozy dessert.

16. Vegan Lemon Tart

Lemon tart with slice

An easy lemon tart with bright citrus flavor in both crust and filling, made without eggs or dairy.

17. Aquafaba Meringue

Meringue

Light, crunchy, and fragrant, these egg-free meringues use aquafaba to replicate classic texture and sweetness.

18. Vegan Tiramisù

vegan tiramisu inside

A light, airy tiramisù with homemade egg-free ladyfingers and authentic coffee notes for a refined vegan dessert.

19. No-bake Cheesecake

Vegan cheesecake with berries

A no-nuts, no-cook vegan cheesecake that sets in the fridge to a smooth, creamy, tangy texture and slices cleanly.

Vegan Pastry Creams

Silky, egg-free pastry creams and curds that add richness to tarts, cakes, and pastries without traditional custard ingredients.

20. Vegan Custard

custard variation with vanilla

A quick, creamy vegan custard ready in minutes using a handful of ingredients—perfect for glasses, tarts, or fillings.

21. Lemon Curd

Vegan lemon curd in pot

Tangy, bright vegan lemon curd made quickly without eggs—ideal for lemon bars, cakes, and pastry fillings.

22. Hazelnut Spread

Vegan crepes with hazelnut spread and powdered sugar

Homemade hazelnut spread for toast, crepes, or as a filling. Choose from a sugar-free version or a richer, decadent option.

23. Pistachio Custard

pistachio custard

A quick pistachio custard made with unsalted pistachios for a nutty, elegant filling in just minutes.

24. Vegan Frosting

Dairy-free frosting

Dairy-free frostings—from silky chocolate ganache to coconut cream—give your cakes and cupcakes a creamy, flavorful finish.

Vegan Pastry and Brioche

Homemade yeast dough desserts that are perfect for brunch or celebrations. Follow step-by-step methods for fluffy, airy pastries.

25. Cinnamon Rolls

Cinnamon rolls with glaze

Soft on the inside with a caramelized base—glaze with vegan cream cheese frosting or simple icing for an indulgent brunch treat.

25. Vegan Donuts

vegan donuts with sugar

Real yeast donuts that can be baked or fried, then topped with glaze, sugar, or icing for a classic treat.

26. Sweet Dough Balls

dough balls with custard

Italian-style sweet dough balls that are simple to prepare and can be baked or deep-fried for a tender, satisfying bite.

27. Bomboloni – Italian Donuts

bomboloni in a hand

Soft, leavened Italian doughnuts filled with chocolate, jam, or custard and rolled in sugar—an irresistible crowd-pleaser.

Vegan Cookies and Pies

From Italian-inspired biscuits to tarts and pies, these egg- and dairy-free recipes are ideal for holidays and everyday indulgence.

28. Biscotti

Almond Biscotti with orange and almonds on the side

Crunchy almond biscotti made with simple ingredients—perfect for dipping in coffee or enjoying on their own.

29. Red Wine Cookies

wine cookies on a plate

Light, crunchy wine cookies traditionally made with grape must or wine for a unique, slightly boozy flavor.

30. Lemon Bars

Lemon bars with powdered sugar

Bright and tangy vegan lemon bars balanced with sweet shortbread and finger-licking lemon curd.

31. Fruit Tart

fruit tart

A classic Italian-style fruit tart with a crisp crust and homemade custard, perfect for summer or potlucks.

32. Blueberry Galette

Blueberry galette with ice cream and powdered sugar

A rustic galette with a crunchy crust, fresh blueberries, and lemon zest—great for a fruity, rustic dessert.

33. Apple Tart

apple tart just baked

Flaky crust and cozy apple filling combine for a comforting vegan apple tart that’s perfect in cooler months.

34. Italian Crostata

Crostata with slice on a white plate

A homely crostata filled with apricot jam or any jam you prefer; try an oat-flour crust for a gluten-free option.

35. Vegan Pumpkin Pie

Vegan pumpkin pie with whipped cream

An egg- and dairy-free take on classic pumpkin pie, full of warm spices and a flakey crust—ideal for autumn and Thanksgiving.

Easy Vegan Desserts

These quick desserts take minimal prep time—many under 10 minutes—and use common pantry ingredients for fast, satisfying results.

36. Coffee Mousse

coffee mousse and spoon

A four-ingredient coffee mousse that’s creamy, light, and full of coffee aroma—like tiramisù in a simpler form.

37. Baked Pears

half pear on a plate with nuts and ice cream

Baked pears are tender and cinnamon-infused, made with just a handful of ingredients and about 30 minutes in the oven.

38. Apple Muffins

cut open apple muffin with apple chunks and grated apples

Light, fruit-packed apple muffins made without eggs or butter—great for breakfast, brunch, or a snack on the go.

39. Zucchini Muffins

Zucchini muffins after baking in the oven

Moist zucchini muffins with chocolate chips, cinnamon, and walnuts—wholesome and delicious for breakfast or snack time.

40. Chocolate Glazed Donuts

Chocolate donuts with bite

Soft chocolate-glazed donuts that come together quickly and make a cozy special breakfast treat for the whole family.

How to store Vegan desserts

Most baked desserts keep well for 2–3 days stored at room temperature in an airtight cake container or sealed plastic bag to retain moisture.

How to reheat: Reheat cakes or pastries in a preheated oven for 5–7 minutes to refresh softness. Limiting airflow helps preserve texture and prevents drying.

slice of vegan cheesecake

For more plant-based dessert inspiration, explore additional dessert recipes and collections on the same site.

Vegan desserts for any occasion

40 Vegan Desserts

By: Nico Pallotta
5 from 5 votes
We’ve got you covered with these sweet recipes including cakes, biscuits, custards, pies, tarts, and pastries.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 40 mins
Total Time: 50 mins
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American Italian

Video

Ingredients

  • Pick your favorite dessert from the list
  • Read each recipe for precise ingredients
  • Follow instructions to prepare your chosen dessert

Instructions

  • How to store: Most of these desserts keep for 2–3 days at room temperature when covered or sealed to retain moisture.
  • How to reheat: Reheat cakes or pastries in a preheated oven for 5–7 minutes to soften them.
  • Note: Limiting airflow helps preserve texture and prevents drying.
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