Have you ever felt that sudden craving for something sweet but realized your pantry is missing eggs or milk. Honestly, I have been there so many times. It is kind of frustrating when you want a treat but think you have to go to the store for fancy ingredients. Well, I have some great news for you. Making delicious sweets without any animal products is actually way easier than most people think.
Personally, I believe the best desserts are the ones that do not require a chemistry degree to bake. You do not need expensive egg replacers or weird powders to satisfy your sweet tooth. In this guide, we are going to explore some of my favorite easy vegan dessert recipes that use simple things you probably already have in your kitchen.
Whether you are fully vegan or just curious about trying something new, you are about to find out that plant based treats can be just as gooey, crunchy, and satisfying as the traditional versions. Let’s dive in and see how we can make some magic happen.
Why Choose Plant Based Sweets
You might be wondering why someone would choose vegan desserts if they are not vegan. The thing is, many of these recipes are actually lighter on the stomach. Plus, they are often much easier to clean up since you are not dealing with raw eggs.
I think one of the best parts about these recipes is how inclusive they are. If you have friends with dairy allergies or egg sensitivities, you can all enjoy the same treat together. It is a win for everyone. Believe it or not, many of your favorite snacks are already “accidentally” vegan. We are just going to take that a step further and make some homemade goodness.
1. The Two Ingredient Banana Nice Cream
If you have never tried “Nice Cream,” you are seriously missing out. This is pretty much the easiest dessert on the planet. It is perfect for those days when you want something cold and creamy but do not want to deal with the heavy sugar found in store bought pints.
What You Need
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3 very ripe bananas (the ones with brown spots are the best)
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A splash of almond milk or oat milk
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Optional: Peanut butter or cocoa powder
How to Make It
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First, peel your bananas and slice them into small coins.
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Put them in a bag and freeze them for at least 4 hours.
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Once they are frozen, toss them into a blender or food processor.
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Add a tiny splash of your favorite plant milk.
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Blend until it looks like soft serve ice cream.
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If you want it to be chocolatey, add a spoonful of cocoa powder now.
One tip is to freeze the bananas when they are super ripe. This makes the ice cream naturally sweet so you do not have to add any extra sugar. My friends are usually shocked when they find out this is just fruit.
2. No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bites
These are my personal go to when I need a quick energy boost or a late night snack. I call them “fridge gold” because they stay fresh for a long time and taste like a candy bar.
Ingredients
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1 cup of rolled oats
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Half a cup of creamy peanut butter
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Quarter cup of maple syrup
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A handful of vegan chocolate chips
Here is How
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In a big bowl, mix the peanut butter and maple syrup until they are smooth.
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Stir in the oats until everything is coated.
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Fold in those chocolate chips.
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Roll the mixture into small balls with your hands.
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Place them on a plate and let them sit in the fridge for 30 minutes.
Actually, these are great for kids to help with. It is kind of like playing with edible playdough. You might want to double the batch because they disappear very fast. Trust me on that one.
3. Simple Vegan Mug Cake
Imagine it is 9 PM and you really want a warm cake but you do not want to bake a whole tray. That is where the mug cake comes in. It is a single serving of joy that takes about two minutes.
Ingredients
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4 tablespoons of all purpose flour
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2 tablespoons of sugar
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1 tablespoon of cocoa powder
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3 tablespoons of water or soy milk
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1 tablespoon of oil
Steps to Follow
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Find your favorite microwave safe mug.
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Whisk all the dry ingredients inside the mug with a fork.
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Add the liquid ingredients and stir until no lumps remain.
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Microwave for about 60 to 80 seconds.
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Let it cool for a minute before eating.
Fun fact about mug cakes is that they continue to cook for a few seconds after the microwave stops. So, if it looks a little bit soft on top, that is totally normal. It will firm up as it sits.
4. Easy Cinnamon Baked Apples
This recipe feels like a warm hug. It is a bit more wholesome but still tastes like apple pie filling. It is a great way to use up fruit that has been sitting on the counter for a while.
Ingredients
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2 large apples
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1 teaspoon of cinnamon
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1 tablespoon of maple syrup
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A sprinkle of oats for crunch
The Process
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Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
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Slice the apples into thin wedges.
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Toss them in a bowl with the cinnamon and syrup.
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Spread them out on a baking sheet.
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Bake for about 20 minutes until they are soft and fragrant.
I suggest serving these warm with a dollop of coconut yogurt. It is a simple way to feel fancy without much effort. Plus, your whole house will smell amazing while these are in the oven.
5. Three Ingredient Coconut Macaroons
Most people think macaroons need egg whites to stay together. But guess what. You can use sweetened condensed coconut milk instead. It is a game changer for vegan baking.
Ingredients
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2 cups of shredded coconut (unsweetened)
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Half a cup of condensed coconut milk
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A pinch of salt
Let me show you how
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Mix the coconut and the condensed milk in a bowl.
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Make sure every bit of coconut is sticky.
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Use a spoon to drop small mounds onto a parchment paper lined tray.
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Bake at 325 degrees for about 12 minutes until the edges are golden brown.
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Let them cool completely so they set properly.
I’ve been there where I tried to eat them while they were still hot and they just fell apart. Be sure to wait until they are cool. Your patience will be rewarded with a chewy, sweet treat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is vegan baking harder than regular baking
Not at all. In fact, many people find it easier because you do not have to worry about over beating eggs or the cake sinking as much. It is all about finding the right balance of moisture and flour.
What is the best milk for vegan desserts
I personally prefer oat milk because it is creamy and has a neutral taste. Soy milk is also great because it has a lot of protein which helps with the structure of baked goods. Almond milk is good for lighter things like nice cream.
Can I use honey in vegan recipes
Strictly speaking, honey is not considered vegan because it comes from bees. You can easily swap honey for maple syrup or agave nectar in any of these recipes. They work exactly the same way.
How do I store these desserts
Most of the no bake treats like the peanut butter bites should stay in the fridge. The baked items like apples or macaroons can stay on the counter in a sealed container for a few days. If you want them to last longer, you could try freezing them.
What if I do not have maple syrup
No worries. You can usually use agave, brown rice syrup, or even a simple sugar water mix. Just keep in mind that different syrups have different levels of sweetness.
My Best Tips for Vegan Baking Success
Here is the deal. When you are starting out, things might look a little different than what you are used to. That is okay. Here are a few things to keep in mind.
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Don’t forget to measure correctly. Since we are not using eggs, the ratio of liquid to dry ingredients is very important.
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Use room temperature ingredients. This helps everything mix together smoothly.
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Trust your taste buds. Since there are no raw eggs, you can safely taste your batter or dough to see if it needs more sugar or cinnamon.
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Keep it simple. You do not need to buy every vegan substitute at the store. Stick to the basics like flour, sugar, oil, and fruit.
At the end of the day, baking should be fun. Don’t stress if a cookie comes out a little flat or a cake is a bit crumbly. It will still taste delicious. We are all learning as we go.
Long story short, vegan desserts are for everyone. They are affordable, simple, and seriously tasty. Whether you are making a mug cake for yourself or a tray of macaroons for a party, you are making a choice that is kind and sweet.
There you have it. Five easy vegan dessert recipes that anyone can master. I really hope you give one of these a try this weekend. You might just find a new favorite snack that you can’t live without.
So, what do you think. Which one are you going to try first. Maybe the nice cream for a movie night or the peanut butter bites for your lunchbox. Whatever you choose, I know you will love the results.