When butter, milk, and cream are no options, could desserts taste good? Absolutely! And these 31 dairy-free desserts prove just that!
Lactose intolerant or vegan? Luckily, you’ve come to the right place for your dairy-free diet! This round-up of decadent desserts for your sweet tooth will show you just how much real butter is overrated.
Here are the ultimate dairy-free sweet treats you can possibly find.
Spoiler alert – they all taste amazing!
Table of Contents
What is a Good Dairy-Free Treat?
Unlike before, when there weren’t readily vegan alternatives on every corner, making a dairy-free recipe is now much more convenient.
But just because you have the right ingredients doesn’t mean the taste will be amazing.
For a good treat without dairy products, you need to find what works for you, first. Some dairy-free foods will have a specific flavor that not everyone will enjoy in their cakes.
Before adding them to the recipe, make sure you are really okay with how the ingredients taste on their own.
Then you can make cookies, cakes, puddings, ice cream, and pretty much everything you can make with dairy.
You will find the answer to this subjective question when you find the right ingredients for you.
No-Bake Dairy-Free Desserts
No oven? No problem! These lovely dairy-free desserts don’t even require baking.
1. No Bake Protein Cookies
Source: allnutritious.com
Boosted with protein. Rich in flavor. Satisfyingly soft. And incredibly chocolatey!
These healthy cookies are not only free of dairy and gluten but 100% vegan, too. Plus, they practically melt in your mouth.
Made with oats, peanut butter, maple syrup, almond milk, and some protein powder for a powerful kick.
2. Coconut Steamed Layer Cake
Source: cookmorphosis.com
If you’re not familiar with steamed cakes, this Vietnamese favorite is a good place to start.
Loaded with taro, coconut milk, and tapioca starch, this makes one super unique dessert.
For a pop of color, add a drop of food coloring to the mix.
Before consuming, give it a good couple of hours in the fridge.
3. Cacao Chia Pudding
Source: allnutritious.com
Chocolatey chia pudding topped with coconut and raspberries!
You also need cacao powder, dark chocolate, and coconut milk to make this creamy delight.
It is healthy, vegan, and delicious.
Don’t like coconut or raspberries? Add your preferred toppings. All sorts of fruits, nuts, and seeds are welcome here.
4. New York Cheesecake
Source: spabettie.com
If you’re a hardcore fan of cheesecake, then here is some good news. You can also make it vegan style.
That means that vegan cheeses, vegan butter, and yogurt, also work well in this lovely dessert.
This soft and creamy dessert will not even taste like there’s dairy missing.
5. Mango Chia Pudding
Source: allnutritious.com
If you love mangoes and chia pudding, here is your match made in heaven! A dairy-free bubbly pudding, topped with whipped mango puree.
Add some coconut flakes for a lovely presentation, or simply dig in right away.
Love chia? Try this fresh strawberry chia pudding.
6. Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Source: partylicious.net
Chocolate-covered strawberries are those aphrodisiac-like desserts that no one can resist, especially a chocolate lover.
Seriously, serve this easy dairy-free dessert with fresh fruit at your next party.
The most amazing thing about this recipe, though? The decoration!
Because, come on. There are lovely pink colors. Candy melts. And glitter.
7. Vegan Peanut Butter Cup Tart
Source: heartbeetkitchen.com
This lovely dessert is gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan, and you will not even notice. It is strong in flavor, rich in chocolate, and super sweet.
It comes with a date and oat crust, a peanut butter filling, and a silky ganache topping.
Try these paleo peanut butter cookies!
8. Frozen Chocolate Banana Bites
Source: foxeslovelemons.com
If ice cream is off-limits for your kids, then how about you treat them with this frozen fruity delight?
Big chunks of banana are frozen first, then coated with chocolate, and dipped in extra toppings. Like sprinkles or chopped nuts.
Perfect for a hot summer afternoon.
9. Candied Strawberries
Source: partylicious.net
Candied strawberries are just what you think they are. Whole strawberries dipped in sticky syrup.
With a crispy candy coating, they will treat everyone who loves sweets. Especially the kids.
10. Salted Caramel Dessert Pots
Source: lovefoodnourish.com
I’m all about the salt and sweet combos. And salty caramel has to top the list!
But what exactly are these dessert pots?
Served in fancy glasses, these treats have a nutty date base, a sweet cashew cream, and a salted caramel topping.
11. Petit Fours
Source: daniscookings.com
Petit fours is the French term for bite-sized cakes that are usually served at parties.
The base is made of almond flour and dates.
The middle layer is creamy and milky (coconut) chocolate.
And the top layer is the most velvety one of all, loaded with pink chocolate chips.
Top with some berries.
12. Chocolate Chia Pudding Trifle
Source: daniscookings.com
A fruit and chocolate truffle for the win. A chia pudding layer. A cashew cheesecake layer. And a topping of rolled oats, berries, and nuts. How yummy is that?
Creamy, crunchy, nutty, chocolatey, and fruity at the same time.
Enjoy more chia with this blueberry chia pudding.
13. Orange Creamsicle Pie
Source: foodmeanderings.com
A crispy oreo base (yup, Oreos are dairy-free) and a creamy whipped filling to die for. This great dairy free orange-flavored pie is best if served with chopped oranges on top.
A tip? You can also freeze it halfway for an even more delightful creamsicle no-bake pie experience.
14. Avocado Chocolate Mousse
Source: baking-ginger.com
Soft and ripe avocados make one creamy mousse. It is smooth and melts on your tongue deliciously.
Mixed with dark chocolate, cocoa, vanilla extract and coconut cream. These creamy desserts comes together in just five minutes.
And it has only six ingredients.
For serving, top it with some fresh berries.
15. Vegan Tiramisu
Source: veganonboard.com
Although this delicious dessert is made in just 10 minutes, you’ll have to leave it overnight in the fridge for the absolute best taste.
Plus, it only needs five ingredients. Tofu, coconut cream, sugar, coffee, and some biscuits.
Layer it up, sprinkle it with some cocoa powder, and stay patient for 8 hours.
Best Dairy-Free Desserts
If you don’t mind whether the recipe is baked or not, then this category of dairy-free recipes hides your perfect match. Guaranteed!
16. Protein Banana Bread
Source: allnutritious.com
A moist banana bread, but with heaps of vanilla protein and coconut oil. Not only is this healthy dessert bulky and filling, but super energizing as well. Not to mention, incredibly yummy!
Sweet, soft, and a really convenient treat.
It makes 12 decent slices.
17. Rice Pudding with Coconut Milk
Source: cleangreensimple.com
Rice pudding is an incredibly milky and creamy dessert, that just begs for a dust of cinnamon on top.
And yes, even if you are ditching dairy, you can whip this up with coconut milk. It will be just as delicious.
The recipe uses vanilla and cinnamon, but feel free to choose your flavoring of choice.
18. Coconut Macaroons with Chocolate
Source: allnutritious.com
Coconut macaroons with just four ingredients? Plus chocolate to satisfy your sweet cravings instantly.
Egg whites, coconut, honey, and dark chocolate. That’s all it takes for you to make these lovely, chocolate-dipped bites.
A super light treat that you can freely enjoy with the kids.
19. Cinnamon Rolls
Source: dairyfreeforbaby.com
Okay, cinnamon rolls are something that everyone should master making.
Fluffy, soft, and perfect with your morning coffee for breakfast. These cinnamon rolls can also be that filling dessert after a super light meal.
Frosted with cream cheese. With a touch of vanilla flavor.
20. Coconut Flour Muffins
Source: allnutritious.com
Moist, soft, and super light. These dairy-free and gluten-free muffins are super delicious, too.
Flavored with vanilla and packed with blueberries. This recipe is a dessert worth keeping.
You can also swap the vanilla with some lemony notes.
21. Lemon Squares
Source: honestandtruly.com
Speaking of lemony zestiness, here comes a recipe that you’ll be super happy to have discovered. A cake crust with a deep-yellow and super creamy lemon filling.
Cut it into squares and dust it with powdered sugar.
Then serve it with your afternoon tea, and the piece will be restored.
22. 5-Ingredient Brownies
Source: allnutritious.com
Soft, fudgy, and banana-packed, these cocoa brownies are a vegan recipe that everyone should try.
They also use almond butter, which gives them bulkiness and a nutty flavor you will absolutely adore.
If you want to add a sixth ingredient here, make it chopped nuts. You can never go wrong with some crunchiness.
23. Chocolate Chip Cookies
Source: dairyfreeforbaby.com
Homemade chocolate chip cookies, and a cozy afternoon on the couch. Yup, that’s my idea of comfort.
Made with dairy-free butter, chocolate chips, and all the other usual cookie ingredients.
Tasty, soft, and perfect with a cup of coffee. Or tea. Or a glass of cold nut milk.
24. Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins
Source: allnutritious.com
Oaty muffins with blueberries for a healthy and dairy-free dessert.
This is so nutritious and filling, that it can easily be a breakfast. Plus, it is perfect to have on the go.
And, they will be perfect for the gluten intolerant, as it uses almond and oat flour.
25. Banana Pudding
Source: mysequinedlife.com
A parfait-like desert with wafers and cream. A yolky, banana pudding cream.
The cream is made with almond and coconut milk. And it is ridiculously rich.
You can also have a layer of sliced bananas in between all that creaminess.
Have lots of bananas? Try these best ever banana desserts!
26. Coffee Blondies
Source: eatingglutenanddairyfree.com
This recipe makes coffee-infused blondies. And they are soft, chewy, and incredibly delicious.
Plus, sugary, buttery, and boldly flavored.
They are also packed with chocolate chips and chopped pecans. Which gives them a nice texture.
What to serve them with? Coffee, of course!
27. Air Fryer Banana
Source: chunkyinkentucky.com
Air fried banana, dusted with cinnamon, sprinkled with sugar. That creates a caramelized sweetness for a tasty afternoon treat.
If you have some dairy-free vanilla ice cream in the fridge, even better. Serve these bananas with a scoop of it.
Try out these other air fryer desserts!
28. Hazelnut Chocolate Cake
Source: christinascucina.com
A north-Italian classic. This hazelnut-loaded cake is a true nutty pleasure. And you know what? It only uses four ingredients.
Rich, chocolatey, and light. A unique dessert that will thrill everyone.
Serve it drizzled with chocolate, Or topped with whipped cream. Or both. Or none.
29. Carrot Cake
Source: healthmylifestyle.com
This lovely carrot cake is vegan, rustic, and frosted with delicious cashew cream.
It is made with rolled oats, dates, applesauce, and, yes, carrots. Plus, some pecans for crunchiness.
Check out these other popular fall desserts!
30. Keto Mousse Cake
Source: daniscookings.com
This mousse cake is as creamy as you imagine it. But you really have to make it to see how tasty it is. Because there are no words to describe it.
I can say it’s sweet, chocolatey, velvety… But until you feel it melt on your tongue, you will not know.
31. Vegan Custard
Source: addictedtodates.com
Thick, smooth, creamy, and super versatile. You can serve this vanilla custard on its own, over cakes, fruit, pies, and ice cream.
It is made with soy milk and vanilla, and it only uses five simple ingredients.