Decadent & Healthy Plant-Based Desserts You Can’t Resist!

These vegan desserts prove that you don’t need butter, eggs, or cream to create something sweet, rich, and decadent. Stock your pantry with simple ingredients like coconut oil, ground flaxseed, and pure maple syrup, and you might be surprised to find that you don’t miss the dairy or eggs one bit!

Why Choose Plant-Based Desserts?

Humans need many things to live happy, healthy lives: food, water, shelter, exercise, relationships of various kinds, emotional support, etc. As a society, we talk about these needs a lot. There are dozens of industries set up to help people meet each of them. However, there’s one genuine need that we don’t spend enough time discussing: pleasure. Pleasure can take many forms. It can be the relief of taking off your shoes after a long day, the comfort of a loving hug from a friend, an earth-shaking orgasm, and the full-body relaxation that follows, or it can be the simple zing of delight a delicious sweet treat gives us. Of course, there are types of pleasure that can be bad or harmful for us. To that end, we’ve put together a list of whole-food plant-based desserts you’ll love and that love you back. These beauties are deeply tasty and free of dairy, eggs, oil, and highly processed ingredients.

Indulging in dessert doesn’t have to mean straying from your healthy eating goals. This is especially relevant on National Dessert Day! That’s why we’ve gathered a list of delicious whole food, plant-based dessert recipes that are free from oil, refined sugar, and packed with nutrient-rich goodness.

Must-Try Plant-Based Dessert Recipes

Cookies, Bars, and Bites

Peanut Butter Cookie Bars: These decadent bars are a favorite vegan dessert! They are made with peanut butter, coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla extract, sea salt, almond flour, maca powder (optional), and vegan chocolate chips. The cacao layer consists of walnuts, cacao or cocoa powder, sea salt, medjool dates, and water.
Peanut Butter Cookies: These are the best peanut butter cookies, vegan or not! Warning: these cookies are SUPER addictive and dangerously easy to make!
Cookie Dough Bites: It’s hard to eat just one of these cookie dough bites, but who cares?
Vegan Apple Cookies: Imagine the best oatmeal cookie you can think of. It’s soft, spiced with cinnamon, and studded with fruit and nuts. These vegan apple cookies check every box!
6-Ingredient Treats: You only need 6 ingredients to make these crispy, toasty, lightly sweet treats.
Strawberry Pistachio No-Bake Cookies: Tart and nutty, these are a delightful plant-based treat that requires no oven time!
Snickerdoodles: These snickerdoodles ditch the traditional butter, sugar, and flour for a healthier twist using dates and gluten-free oats. Packed with warming cinnamon and fragrant vanilla bean powder.

Brownies and Cakes

Vegan Brownies: These vegan brownies will give any regular brownie recipe a run for its money.
Chocolate Cake: This cake is the Beyoncé of whole-food plant-based desserts. Creamy chocolate frosting takes it over the top.
Black Bean Brownies: Did you know that black beans are delicious in brownies? These are delicious and don’t taste “healthy” at all. Many consider these to be more like a dense cake than a brownie.
Chocolate Cupcakes: The warm and enticing flavors of Mexican hot chocolate shine in these irresistibly rich and chocolatey cupcakes.
Zucchini Chocolate Chip Cupcakes: Puffy, moist, and chocolaty, they’re the perfect everyday treat.
Lemon Cupcakes: Toasted coconut and pecan frosting caps off our cupcake version of the classic chocolate cake.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Scones: With the classic flavor combo of chocolate and peanut butter, these scones are perfect for serving at afternoon tea, brunch, or any time.
Vegan Chocolate Molten Lava Soufflé: Easy and foolproof, this irresistible dessert is brimming with rich, decadent, melty, chocolatey goodness.
Chocolate Banana Bread: The stunning combination of cherries and chocolate turns this healthy little plant-based snack into an incredible delight, elevating regular ol’ banana bread from good to superb.
Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Frosting: It’s super rich without being overly sweet. Also, the frosting makes a TON more than I ever need for the cake but I make it anyway to eat by the spoonful.

Frozen Treats

Avocado Pudding: Unlike the store bought pudding pops of my childhood, these frozen vegan desserts get their creamy texture from avocados and almond butter.
Chocolate Banana Ice Cream: This chocolate banana ice cream is delicious, healthy, and the perfect way to satisfy a sweet tooth. It is dairy-free, vegan and free from refined sugar!
Nice Cream: Dive into a bowl of creamy and refreshing strawberry nice cream.
Peanut Butter and Jelly Ice Cream: Now you can savor those flavors in this tasty plant-based ice cream.
Plant-Based Icy Treat: This quick, healthy, delicious plant-based icy treat is one you can feel good about indulging in.
Mango Chia Pudding: Indulge in the lusciousness of this creamy Mango Chia Pudding, a delectable treat that strikes the perfect balance between sweetness and flavor.
Dole Whip: Experience the iconic flavor of the famous pineapple Dole Whip with this homemade vegan version.
Raspberry Hibiscus Granita: Transport yourself to a five-star restaurant with this elevated Raspberry Hibiscus Granita recipe! Tart yet sweet, this dessert gets its powerful flavor from Raspberry Hibiscus Iced Tea.
Waffle Nice Cream Sandwich: This recipe uses more of a "vanilla" flavor, which pairs perfect with Waffles.
Pitaya and Banana Bowl: This recipe blends the creaminess of tofu with the natural sweetness of frozen fruits to create a smooth, delicious base that’s perfect for customizing with your favorite toppings. Ideal for an energizing breakfast or a healthy snack, this bowl is not only a treat for your taste buds but also a fun way to boost your daily nutrient intake.
Mango Mousse Parfait: Dive into tropical delight with this silky Mango Mousse Parfait! This light and refreshing dessert is surprisingly easy to make, featuring a creamy mango mousse layered with a vibrant raspberry coulis.
Soursop Ice Cream: Soursop, also known as guanábana or graviola, is native to the Americas and the Caribbean. The flavor is a combination of strawberry and apple with a subtle citrus note.

Pies, Crisps, and Cobblers

Pumpkin Mousse Parfaits: Toasted pecans take the place of crust in these pie-inspired parfaits. Instead of traditional pie filling, I top the pecans with a rich, maple-sweetened pumpkin mousse.
Lemon Bars: Thanks to maple syrup and Medjool dates, these creamy, decadent bars are refined-sugar free.
Spiced Apple Crumble: Fruit crisps and crumbles are easy to toss together, and there’s nothing more delicious than a nutty crumble topping over soft, juicy fruit. This spiced apple crumble is one of my favorites.
Peach Cobbler: Naturally sweet and brimming with peachy flavor, this cobbler is an essential late summer treat.
Summer Fruit Crisp: Use whatever summer fruit you have on hand in this easy crisp recipe!
Apple Pie: This recipe flips the script on classic apple pie, using wholesome ingredients like gluten-free oats, dates, and natural sweeteners to create a delicious dessert you can feel good about enjoying.
Butterscotch Pie: Indulge in a healthy twist on a classic with this Butterscotch Pie! Made with wholesome ingredients like sweet potatoes and dates, this dessert is a delightful treat that's also good for you.

Breads, Muffins, and Rolls

Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread: I’d take a slice (or two) of this zucchini bread any day. It’s moist, warmly spiced, and topped with a big sprinkle of chocolate chips.
Pumpkin Bars: I especially love these bars in the fall, but I wouldn’t blame anyone for making them at another time of year. Pumpkin puree, coconut oil, and almond flour make them wonderfully moist, and cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg fill them with warm, spiced flavor.
Banana Bread: With its perfect moist texture and spiced banana flavor, you’d never guess that this banana bread is totally dairy- and egg-free!
Cinnamon Rolls: Whether you call them breakfast or call them dessert, you have to try these cinnamon rolls!
Lemon Muffins: On their own, these ultra-moist lemon muffins are a fantastic breakfast or snack.
Chocolate Chip Muffins: I have a soft spot for chocolate chip muffins, especially when they’re as moist and flavorful as these are.
Zucchini Muffins: I have this recipe on repeat from the first day I see a zucchini at the farmers market until the last one disappears in the fall.
Banana Bread Muffins: Moist, naturally sweetened, and oil-free, these Banana Bread Muffins are made with PLANTSTRONG Cornbread & Muffin Mix.
Pumpkin Cornbread Muffins: 'Tis the season for everything pumpkin, and our Pumpkin Cornbread Muffins certainly do not disappoint.
Strawberry Drop Biscuits: Adapted from a NYT Cooking recipe, these Strawberry Drop Biscuits are yet another delicious treat that can be made with PLANTSTRONG Cornbread & Muffin Mix.

Other Delicious Plant-Based Treats

PLANTSTRONG Pancake Dessert Tacos: Our PLANTSTRONG Pancake & Waffle Mix makes the perfect vessel for fruit, plant-based yogurt, and a drizzle of maple syrup.
Tahini Banana Bark: This tahini banana bark gets its perfect crunch from our PLANTSTRONG Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Granola.
Grilled Fruit with Lime Marinade: Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with a delightful grilled fruit experience featuring a zesty lime marinade. This recipe offers a unique twist as the fruits are transformed into a smoky and caramelized delight on the grill.
Mango Cashew Tart: Packed with vibrant mangoes, creamy cashews, and a refreshing lime kick, this gluten-free dessert is a showstopper in both taste and presentation.
Baked Oatmeal Cups: These easy baked oatmeal cups are great for breakfast, snacks, or even dessert. They are kid friendly and perfect for a meal on the go.
Date Paste: Date paste is a versatile and delicious ingredient forming the foundation of many plant-based desserts. Made from simple, wholesome ingredients, this homemade paste offers a natural sweetness and rich texture.
Ambrosia: Ambrosia is a fruit salad originally from the South of the United States.
PLANTSTRONG Pancake & Waffle Mix Grandma's Apple Grunt: Naturally sweetened and free from oil, this show-stopping treat is perfect for satisfying your dessert cravings while keeping it wholesome and nutritious
PLANTSTRONG Dark Chocolate Granola with Raspberries and Chia Seeds: This dessert is Fall in a nutshell!

Read also: Delicious Plant Paradox Breakfasts

Read also: Nutritious Granola Recipes

tags: #plant #based #diet #dessert #recipes