31 Dairy-Free Desserts to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth Without Butter or Cream

Baking without butter or cream might seem like a challenge, but these dairy-free desserts prove that it’s a delight. Olive oil can add luscious moisture to cakes, and peanut butter can become a cookie with just two other ingredients, neither of which are milk-based. This list includes a few of our favorite vegan desserts, as well as sweet things that do require an egg or two. Scroll down for showstopping tarts, easy cakes, holiday-worthy pies, simple fudge, no-bake cookies, and refreshing frozen desserts for sunny days. No butter, no cream, no problem.
Photo by Alex Lau1/31Chocolate Macaroon Cake
If you use vegan chocolate, this chocolate cake is a dairy-free dessert. Other good news: It also happens to be gluten-free and Passover-friendly. Almonds are delicious here, but you can also sub in another type of nut if preferred.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell2/313-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
These dairy-free cookies are as easy as 1-2-3. That is: an egg, peanut butter, and sugar. That's all—unless you want to sprinkle some flaky salt on top.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Kat Boytsova3/31Coconut Custard and Rhubarb Tart
We often say that this rhubarb tart is ideal for spring celebrations. But the truth is, it's a celebration in itself. As soon as you start seeing rhubarb in the market, snap some up.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell4/31Double-Decker Peanut Butter Brownies
These flavorful flourless brownies are endlessly customizable. Top with vegan chocolate chips, chopped pretzels, or any crunchy snack you have in the pantry. Obviously, if you're going the dairy-free route, opt for melted coconut oil over butter. (Or use your favorite dairy-free butter.)
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton5/31Microwave Coconut Sticky Rice With Mango
Traditional coconut sticky rice takes a little while to make—this version is extra-quick, since it's made in the microwave.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell6/31Olive Oil Apple Cake With Spiced Sugar
We've been known to argue that olive oil is better in cakes than butter is. This autumnal cake recipes proves we're right.

Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson8/31Double Chocolate Cake With Peppermint-Chocolate Frosting
This festive winter cake relies on applesauce and—believe it or not—mayonnaise to make a dairy-free chocolate dessert. (As long as you use dairy-free chocolate, of course.)
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Christopher Barsch9/31Peanut Butter Coconut Cream Cookie Sandwiches
These cookies resemble a chewier, soft cookie version of a Nutter Butter, made a little more glam with a peanut butter coconut cream filling.
Photo by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott10/31Lemon-Pistachio Loaf
Pistachios add rich flavor to this citrusy vegan cake. Take a slice for dessert or for a snack—it'll keep, tightly wrapped, at room temp for a few days.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Kat Boytsova11/31Homemade "Dole Whip"
This dairy-free, soft-serve–like dessert is easy to make in a food processor, no ice cream maker required.
Photo by Alex Lau12/31Olive Oil Cake
This olive oil cake is scented with amaretto, Grand Marnier, sweet vermouth, or whatever liqueur you have in your liquor cabinet right now.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Ali Nardi13/31Apple Fritters With Spiced Sugar
Cinnamon, cardamom, and freshly ground black pepper lend warm spice to these sweet fritters.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich14/31Easy Vegan Chocolate Cake
You can absolutely make a great chocolate cake without any dairy. And this one doesn't require a stand mixer, either.

Genevieve Yam

Genevieve Yam

Genevieve Yam

Kendra Vaculin


