Vegan desserts often get a bad reputation: they can be too dry, dense, crumbly, or labeled “too healthy” to count as dessert. But when done right, plant-based sweets can be rich, decadent, and irresistible. From fudgy brownies to classic banana bread, layer cakes and no-bake treats, there’s a huge variety of vegan desserts that delight both vegans and non-vegans alike.
Below you’ll find a curated roundup of 40 outstanding vegan dessert recipes, drawn from a range of trusted creators and tested favorites. These recipes cover brownies, cakes, no-bake sweets, cookies, pies and pastries, and fruit crisps — all chosen for great flavor, approachable techniques, and dependable results.
Table of Contents:
1. Brownies and Bars
2. Cakes and Breads
3. No-Bake Desserts
4. Cookies
5. Pies, Tarts and Pastries
6. Crisps, Crumbles and Cobblers
Brownies and Bars
A mix of intensely chocolatey brownies and bright, fruity bars — all straightforward to make and deeply satisfying.
The Absolute Best Vegan Brownies
Supremely fudgy and chewy with an intensely chocolate flavor and the classic shiny, crinkly top — a dependable vegan brownie that tastes indulgent and satisfying.
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Strawberry Swirl Cheesecake Bars
Creamy, sweet vegan cheesecake bars swirled with vibrant strawberry purée for a bright, dreamy dessert bar.
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Vegan Cheesecake Brownies
Swirled cheesecake brownies that are rich, tangy and decadent — a showstopping treat that’s vegan and gluten-free friendly.
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Apple Blondies with Caramel Glaze
Chewy blondies spiced with warming autumn flavors and finished with a silky caramel glaze — great for seasonal baking.
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Creamy Vegan Lemon Bars
Tart, zesty lemon bars with a naturally sweetened, creamy filling — bright and satisfying without being overly sweet.
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Cakes and Breads
From quick breads to celebration cakes: a range of flavors including chocolate, lemon, pumpkin and spiced gingerbread for every season.
The Absolute Best Vegan Banana Bread
A fluffy, moist banana bread made with simple ingredients — tender crumb, not dense or dry, and easy enough for weekday baking.
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Pumpkin Sheet Cake
A moist, spiced sheet cake that’s easy to make and perfect for gatherings — simple technique with big, cozy flavor.
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Lemon Olive Oil Cake
A bright, ultra-tender cake enriched with olive oil and fresh lemon — simple ingredients, elegant results.
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Vegan Funfetti Cake
A festive funfetti cake that’s moist, tender, and delightfully colorful — perfect for birthdays and celebrations.
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Vegan Apple Cinnamon Bundt Cake
Light, airy and studded with warm cinnamon apple flavors; a bundt presentation elevates this simple, elegant cake.
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Fudgy Vegan Chocolate Cake
An indulgent, ultra-moist chocolate cake with creamy frosting — perfect for chocolate lovers and special occasions.
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Fluffy Vegan Gingerbread Cake
A tender gingerbread cake with homemade spice blend and a complementary vanilla cream sauce — cozy and festive.
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Vegan Gluten-Free Carrot Cake
A naturally gluten-free carrot cake topped with tangy cashew yogurt frosting — wholesome yet decadently flavored.
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The Best Vegan Pumpkin Bread
Moist, tender pumpkin bread with a warm spice blend — an autumn favorite that’s simple to prepare.
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No-Bake Desserts
Quick and satisfying no-bake desserts for when you want something sweet without turning on the oven.
Vegan Fudge
A rich, creamy chocolate fudge made with just a handful of ingredients — deeply chocolatey and easy to make.
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Super Simple Chocolate Mousse
An effortless, silky chocolate mousse that satisfies a strong chocolate craving with minimal fuss.
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Edible Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Safe-to-eat cookie dough made from simple ingredients — the perfect no-bake snack for cookie dough lovers.
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Healthy Samoa Cookies (No-Bake)
A healthier, no-bake twist on a classic coconut-chocolate cookie — quick to assemble and full of texture.
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Fudgy Vegan Chocolate Truffles
Melting, luxurious truffles made with a handful of wholesome ingredients — surprisingly indulgent and simple to prepare.
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Healthy Snickers Bars
A plant-based take on a candy classic, built with a few whole-food ingredients — sweet, nutty and satisfying.
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No-Bake Cookie Dough Bars (Vegan & Gluten-Free)
Soft, chewy cookie dough bars that require no baking and are free from common allergens — a convenient crowd-pleaser.
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Cookies
Everything from classic chocolate chip to holiday favorites and wholesome breakfast-style cookies.
Ultimate Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies
Bakery-style cookies with crisp edges and a gooey, soft center. Rich, buttery flavor and generous pockets of melted chocolate make these a standout.
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Breakfast Cookies
Hearty cookies you can enjoy for breakfast — packed with oats, seeds and a good amount of protein to keep you full.
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Chocolate Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies
Buttery thumbprint cookies rolled in hazelnuts and filled with a chocolate-hazelnut center — festive and perfect for sharing.
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Vegan Oatmeal Cookies
Easy, reliable oatmeal cookies — freeze the dough balls for fresh-baked cookies on demand.
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The Best Vegan Sugar Cookies
Light, tender sugar cookies with crisp edges that hold up well for decorating and gifting.
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Vegan Gingerbread Cookies
Soft, spiced gingerbread cookies ideal for holiday decorating and cozy baking sessions.
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Vegan Double Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ultra-chocolatey cookies with a fudgy texture — a chocoholic’s dream that’s simple to make at home.
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Vegan Linzer Cookies
Hazelnut and almond shortbread filled with jam for a classic, elegant cookie that’s perfect for special occasions.
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Chocolate Chunk Vegan Pantry Cookies
A versatile cookie loaded with pantry-friendly mix-ins — chewy, addictive, and perfect for improvising with what you have on hand.
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Pies, Tarts and Pastries
Vegan versions of classic pastries and pies that prove animal ingredients aren’t necessary for flaky crusts or silky fillings.
Vegan Salted Chocolate Cream Tart
A no-bake tart with a brownie-like base and creamy salted chocolate filling — elegant, gluten-free and deeply satisfying.
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Bubbling Cinnamon Blueberry Pie
A classic fruit pie with warm cinnamon notes and a bubbling, jammy blueberry filling — ideal with vegan ice cream.
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Easy Vegan Pumpkin Pie
A straightforward pumpkin pie that highlights classic fall spices and uses plant-based pantry staples for a tried-and-true dessert.
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Vegan Chocolate Croissants
Layered, flaky pains au chocolat made vegan — crisp outside, tender inside, with a rich and delicate flavor.
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Vegan Eclairs
Choux pastry filled with pastry cream and topped with chocolate ganache — a refined vegan pastry that satisfies any sweet tooth.
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Vegan Italian Macarons with Aquafaba
A detailed guide to making eggless Italian macarons using aquafaba — delicate, airy, and perfect for special treats or gifting.
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Warm Apple Fritters
Comforting, warm apple fritters with a crisp exterior and soft, tender interior — perfect for fall mornings or dessert.
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Vegan Gingersnap Pumpkin Cream Tart
A make-ahead tart with a gingersnap crust and a luscious pumpkin cream filling — rich, festive, and perfect for the holidays.
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Crisps, Crumbles and Cobblers
Fruit-forward desserts with buttery toppings: easy to make and especially welcome during stone fruit or apple season.
Vegan Apple Crisp
Tender apples simmer beneath a golden oat-pecan streusel. The aroma of baked apples and spices fills the kitchen — a simple yet elegant dessert for any autumn table.
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Gluten-Free Apple Cobbler
A simple, satisfying cobbler with tender fruit and a light gluten-free topping — comforting and crowd-pleasing.
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Vegan Fruit Crumble
A classic crumble topped with a buttery, crumbly mixture that complements berries, plums and apples beautifully.
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Vegan Brown Butter Peach Cobbler
A twist on classic peach cobbler with vegan brown butter notes — caramelized exterior and fluffy interior for perfectly textured slices.
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