11 Dairy-Free Desserts

Fat free vegan strawberry sorbet — The Spruce Eats / Emily Hawkes

When your sweet tooth starts aching, real dessert aficionados know there's no cure except finding a treat immediately. But if you have dietary restrictions, the hunt for the perfect dessert can take a little more work than just grabbing a pint of ice cream. Luckily, some of the most satisfying desserts don't require any dairy at all. From light and fresh to deeply decadent, we've got plenty of recipes to hit the spot.

01 of 11

Vegan Spiced Apple Cobbler

The Spruce / Emily Hawkes

With a blend of allspice, cloves, and nutmeg, this apple cobbler has so much spiced flavor you'll never miss dairy ingredients. It uses margarine instead of butter for a vegan and lower-fat crumble that comes out just as tender as grandma's recipe. Top with a scoop of dairy-free ice cream to really take it over the top.
02 of 11

Dairy Free Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies

The Spruce

With no dairy or eggs, these decadent double chocolate chunk cookies work great for bake sales or classroom treats because even kids with allergies can enjoy them. The recipe calls for soy milk, but you can substitute your favorite nondairy milk if you try to limit your soy intake, too.
03 of 11

Tofu Cheesecake

The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

Soft tofu is the base for this creamy nondairy cheesecake. A blend of cashews, coconut cream, and tofu gives it a silky texture that contrasts beautifully with the rolled oats, almond, and coconut oil crust. And because both the crust and the filling use the food processor, it comes together quickly and easily, too.
04 of 11

Two-Ingredient Cola Cake

The Spruce

Yes, you read that right. This tender cake requires just two ingredients: A cake mix and a can of soda. Try lemon-lime soda with white or yellow cake and cola with chocolate or spice cake. Just avoid diet versions since that will throw off the taste. This cake recipe couldn't get any easier.

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05 of 11

Cinnamon Applesauce Carrot Cake

The Spruce

Applesauce adds moisture to this delicious carrot cake, and using the cinnamon version gives it an extra hint of spice. It does come out somewhat dense, but carrot cake traditionally has a heftier texture than other cakes, too. Frost it with a fluffy white icing or a vegan cream cheese frosting.
06 of 11

Simple Strawberry Sorbet

The Spruce Eats / Emily Hawkes

This fat-free, dairy-free, and egg-free strawberry sorbet uses just strawberries, sugar, and cornstarch for an easy and cooling summer dessert. You don't even need an ice cream machine! Newly ripe strawberries work best, but you can use frozen too if you don't have access to fresh fruit.
07 of 11

Dairy-Free Pumpkin Pudding

The Spruce

Try this creamy pumpkin pudding, whether it's for a dairy-free holiday or autumn dessert or to use up leftover pumpkin puree. Any non-dairy milk would work, although some nut or oat milks may give it a slightly different texture than soy, depending on their viscosity.
08 of 11

Nondairy Chocolate Chip Cookies

The Spruce

These chocolate chip cookies taste just like mom used to make, but with margarine instead of butter and egg replacer instead of the real thing. You can use regular chocolate chips if you don't need them to come out vegan, or try carob or vegan chips instead.

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09 of 11

Versatile Vegan Bread Pudding

The Spruce / Ahlam Raffii

If you have bread going stale in your cupboard, turn it into dessert with this simple vegan bread pudding. The traditional recipe uses cream and eggs to give it that moist, fluffy texture, but replace those with nondairy milk and you have an allergy-safe version. Use whatever bread you have on hand and add chopped nuts, dried fruit, or even chocolate for your own twist.
10 of 11

Oreo Cream Pie

Vegan Oreo Cream Pie.
The Spruce / Ashley Skabar

Believe it or not, Nabisco's Oreos actually don't contain any animal products. This oreo cream pie uses dairy-free cream cheese, sour cream, and chocolate for a rich and indulgent pie that will suit any occasion–even if that occasion is just a Tuesday that needs a little sweetness.
11 of 11

Dairy-Free Cherry Cheesecake

The Spruce Eats / Katarina Zunic

Made with dairy-free cream cheese and sour cream and topped with sweet and tangy cherry pie filling, this cheeseless cheesecake tastes just like the traditional, but without any allergens. Top it with a little dairy-free whipped cream for an extra special presentation.

Vegan Ice Cream Recipe