These Vegan Desserts Are a Sweet Treat for Everyone

Gluten-Free Chocolate Cupcakes

Everyone needs a few vegan chocolate desserts in their repertoire when cravings strike. These rich, decadent cupcakes will hit the spot every time. Top them with a scoop of vegan ice cream, or make your own vegan frosting using aquafaba instead of the ganache (which includes cream) shown.

Vegan Ice Cream Base

The best vegan desserts are dishes you can make over and over again. You can change up this basic vegan ice cream recipe to be any flavor you want, so make whatever suits your mood. Try chocolate chip, toasted coconut, or fruity variations, or use your favorite ingredients to create your own signature flavor.

Buy It: Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker ($70, Target)

Vegan Hummus "Ice Cream"

Hummus can definitely become dessert—it just needs a little help from cocoa powder and a touch of sweetener. To make this easy vegan dessert recipe, simply combine everything in your food processor, give it a blend, and freeze. Then you can use any sweet dippers (try apple slices, chocolate chips, and cinnamon-sugar pita chips) to start scooping up the goodness.

Buy It: KitchenAid Food Processor ($200, Bed Bath & Beyond)

Vegan Pumpkin Pie

Save this recipe for your Thanksgiving menu. This vegan pumpkin dessert uses full-fat coconut milk to develop a rich, silky filling. And no slice is complete without whipped topping: Make a vegan version using more coconut milk and a scoop of powdered sugar.

Banana Ice Cream

This easy vegan dessert recipe calls for just three ingredients and 10 minutes of prep. No egg yolks or dairy—all you'll need is four bananas, unsweetened coconut milk, and a dash of vanilla. You can also dress up this simple base recipe to make other vegan desserts like peanut butter ice cream, chocolate ice cream, and strawberry-raspberry ice cream.

Paleo Cashew Truffles

This is one of the best vegan dessert recipes for chocolate lovers, and these tasty cashew truffles happen to be Paleo too (good news for pegans!). Unsweetened coconut milk gives this snack its creaminess, while cashews and sea salt balance the sweetness with savory flavors. With only seven ingredients, this sweet treat is one you can probably whip up using items you already have in your pantry.

Test Kitchen Tip: Most unsweetened chocolate should be vegan, but double-check before you buy to make sure the brand you're using is vegan.

Banana Pudding with Shaved Dark Chocolate

If you typically keep vegan ingredients on hand, this vegan banana dessert is probably only 10 minutes of prep away. It needs just six ingredients, and most are popular staples like agave nectar and tofu (yes, tofu!). Tossing a few cubes in your blender adds extra protein and makes the pudding even richer, but all you'll taste is banana, dark chocolate, and a hint of cinnamon.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookie Dough Dip

Vegans, this edible cookie dough recipe was made for you. Unlike traditional cookie dough, this dip is made a little bit healthier with cannellini beans and pitted dates (no added sugar!). That also means it's dairy- and egg-free, and just happens to be one of the best vegan chocolate desserts for an afternoon snack.

Raspberry Sorbet Trio

One scoop of sorbet is just never enough. Luckily, this vegan dessert recipe teaches you how to make it three different ways, including traditional raspberry, raspberry-mango, and raspberry-pineapple sorbet. Why stop at one when you can sample all three?

Strawberry Sangria Ice Pops

Instead of reaching for a glass of sangria, freeze your favorite ingredients into chilly ice pops. These refreshing, adults-only vegan desserts are super simple (only five ingredients), so you can keep your freezer stocked all summer long. There's not enough white wine in each pop to replace sipping on a glass, but you'll still get a taste of your favorite white with every lick.

Creamy Chocolate Pudding

Most pudding recipes rely on milk for their luscious creaminess, but this vegan chocolate pudding has a secret (healthy) ingredient that helps make it as luscious as recipes with dairy. Toss two ripe avocados into your blender alongside soy milk and cocoa powder—you'll never taste them, but they'll make each bite silky-smooth. The best part? This vegan dessert is ready in just 10 minutes, and then you can dive in spoon-first.

Coconut Stracciatella Ice Cream

Using coconut milk (plus a dash of another non-dairy milk like almond milk) makes this vegan ice cream recipe just as smooth and creamy as dairy ice creams. It has chunks of dark chocolate mixed in for extra decadence, but you could also choose your favorite vegan chocolate candy. Keep in mind that our instructions also include the option to make this recipe with dairy, so for vegan ice cream, make sure you're choosing agave nectar and non-dairy milk.

Berry-Mint Granita

Similar to sorbet, granitas are usually made with sugar, water, and different flavorings then frozen. But unlike smooth sorbets, a true granita usually has a flaked texture—almost like shaved ice. Though it gets its color from blueberries and raspberries, there's also a tangy splash of citrus in this vegan lemon dessert. Make your dish look even more camera-ready by adding a few fresh mint leaves on top.

Pineapple, Mint, and Coconut Water Pops

On the next scorcher summer day, these fruity coconut water pops are a lifesaver. Most of the pineapple and mint is blended with coconut water, but be sure to leave a few chunks whole for the prettiest, most refreshing ice pops. One note: This dish calls for honey or agave nectar, but to make a truly vegan dessert recipe, opt for agave.

Watermelon Margarita Pops

Fresh fruit is a popular choice for vegan desserts, but this recipe is so much more than plain watermelon slices. Instead, turn juicy watermelon into boozy vegan ice pops by freezing them in orange juice, sugar, and tequila. To make them even more like a margarita with a salted rim, add a sprinkle of coarse salt before saying "cheers."

Coconut-Mocha Poached Pears

Get your pressure cooker ready for this vegan dessert because it can cook the pears in just five minutes. If you have the time, your other option is to let your slow cooker do the work of cooking pears, cocoa powder, and coffee into a delicious, juicy dish. Still, this vegan chocolate dessert is so tempting, you might want to cook it faster so you can dive in sooner.

Buy It: Instant Pot Pressure Cooker ($72, Walmart)

Watermelon-Kiwi Pops

The double layers in this fruity vegan dessert recipe are picture-ready for your Instagram feed this summer. These ice pops are made mostly with fresh watermelon and kiwi, a splash of water to help them freeze, and a couple spoonfuls of sugar for added sweetness. And if you have different fresh fruits on hand, we also have instructions for making pineapple-blueberry and mango-raspberry pops.

Strawberry Granita

If you're looking for a light and refreshing vegan dessert, this granita recipe is just fresh strawberries, water, lemon juice, and sugar. The granita itself is vegan, but if you want to make the lemon cream to serve alongside, try using a vegan substitute for the whipping cream, such as coconut cream. Just substitute the coconut cream in equal parts for dairy cream, and voilà!