5 Easy Vegan Desserts That Are Totally Irresistible
Look, I get it. Finding a great vegan dessert can feel like an uphill battle. You’ve probably Googled “vegan desserts” and been hit with a thousand recipes that, honestly, look like they came straight out of a wellness blog you just want to unfollow. But trust me—vegan desserts don’t have to be weird or sad. In fact, these 5 Easy Vegan Desserts That Are Totally Irresistible are genuinely delicious, and you won’t need to summon your inner health guru to make them. Let me break it down for ya.
The Chocolate Avocado Mousse
Okay, hear me out. I know when someone says “avocado dessert,” you’re thinking, “Nope, not happening.” I was right there with you—until I made this. Now, it’s one of my go-to easy vegan desserts, and I’m obsessed. So creamy, so rich. And trust me, the avocado just vanishes into this silky chocolate mousse. It’s magic, really.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 ripe avocados (the riper, the better)
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup maple syrup (or, y’know, whatever sweetener makes your heart sing)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt (I’m not joking—don’t skip this)
How to make it:
- Scoop out the avocado flesh. This is the part where I always wonder if I should’ve gone to culinary school—oh well. Toss that creamy green goodness into a blender.
- Add the cocoa powder, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and salt. Blend like your blender’s got something to prove.
- Taste-test. If it’s too bitter, throw in more syrup. That’s the beauty of your kitchen, right?
- Pop it in the fridge for 30 minutes (or an hour, or two, if you’re binge-watching The Office for the 12th time like me).
Seriously, this mousse is so good, you might not want to share. I made a batch last week—ate half of it before I realized my partner was still waiting for his share. Oops. Anyway, here’s the kicker: avocado makes it healthy-ish, so no guilt, right?
No-Bake Coconut Macaroons
The first time I made these, they turned out perfect—but I accidentally ate them all before the kids got home. So, yeah, maybe leave a few for someone else. No-bake coconut macaroons are like a tropical vacation in dessert form. They’re sweet, chewy, and way too easy to make.
Here’s what you need:
- 2 1/2 cups shredded coconut (get the unsweetened stuff—trust me, it’s worth it)
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup coconut oil (melted)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
Directions:
- Mix everything in a big ol’ bowl. I use a wooden spoon, mostly because I feel fancy doing it.
- Scoop tablespoon-sized portions and roll them into little coconut balls. They don’t have to be perfect. In fact, if they’re a little lumpy, it just adds to their charm.
- Place those bad boys on a baking sheet and refrigerate them for about an hour.
- Important: Don’t eat them all before the guests arrive. (You’ll see why I’m saying this).
They’re crunchy, chewy, and a wicked easy treat to whip up when you’re short on time or just feeling lazy. Which, let’s be honest, is about 90% of the time.
Banana “Nice” Cream
Y’all, this banana “nice” cream is the ultimate vegan ice cream hack. No dairy, no fuss. Just bananas—seriously, that’s it. I first tried this when I was on one of those “I’m going to eat healthier” kicks. Spoiler alert: it lasted about three days. But banana ice cream? That lasted.
What you need:
- 3 ripe bananas (preferably frozen—I learned the hard way that frozen makes all the difference)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: peanut butter, cocoa powder, or berries. It’s all up to you!
How to make it:
- Peel and freeze those bananas. If you forget to do this ahead of time, you’ll end up with a sad, mushy mess. Trust me, I know from experience.
- Once they’re frozen, blend them in a food processor. If you don’t have one of those, any blender will do, but it might take a bit longer.
- Add vanilla, or any other flavor you’re craving. I like throwing in a spoonful of peanut butter, but that’s a me thing.
- Serve it up immediately as soft-serve, or freeze it if you want a firmer texture.
Now, this might not be the same as a dairy-laden ice cream cone, but it’s close enough—and way healthier. Fast-forward past three failed attempts at my 2020 sourdough starter (RIP, Gary) and you’ll find yourself a believer in banana ice cream.
Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies
Let’s talk chocolate chip cookies. But make it vegan. I’ve tested a lot of recipes for these, and some were better than others. And some were just sad, like the time I tried to make cookies with brown rice flour—don’t ask. These vegan cookies are the cookies. Soft, chewy, and chocolatey. You won’t miss the dairy one bit.
Here’s your shopping list:
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar (or whatever sweetener you’ve got lying around)
- 1/4 cup melted coconut oil (seriously, no subbing here)
- 1 tablespoon flaxseed meal (mixed with 3 tablespoons water)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup vegan chocolate chips (duh)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Or, if you’re like me, use the crumpled-up, old parchment that somehow always ends up in your drawer.
- In a small bowl, mix flaxseed meal with water and let it sit for a few minutes. Don’t skip this part. It’s the secret to getting that chewy texture.
- In a bigger bowl, mix almond flour, coconut sugar, coconut oil, flax mixture, vanilla extract, and baking soda.
- Stir in chocolate chips—because we all know chocolate is a non-negotiable part of life.
- Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the baking sheet, and bake for 10-12 minutes. Try not to eat them all immediately.
These cookies are soft, chewy, and hit you with that perfect balance of sweet and salty. My first batch disappeared faster than my last bottle of kombucha—and I’m not even sorry.
Vegan Cheesecake Cups
Cheesecake, but without the cheese? Yes, it’s possible, and yes, it’s absolutely amazing. These mini vegan cheesecakes are smooth, creamy, and have that perfect tangy bite that traditional cheesecake lovers will definitely appreciate. They’re easy to make, and you won’t need a single fancy appliance to get them right. I first tried making vegan cheesecake after watching a YouTube video where a chef used coconut cream. I was skeptical, but here we are.
You’ll need:
- 1 cup soaked cashews
- 1/4 cup coconut milk
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
- Crust: 1 cup crushed graham crackers (vegan) + 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil
How to make them:
- Mix crushed graham crackers with melted coconut oil. Press it into the bottom of muffin cups—real life hack: I use a wine cork to tamp it down.
- Blend soaked cashews, coconut milk, maple syrup, lemon juice, vanilla, and salt until it’s smooth and creamy.
- Pour the mixture over the crusts and freeze for 4-6 hours, or until set.
- Serve them with fresh fruit or drizzle on some berry compote if you’re feeling extra fancy.
These little cheesecakes are rich, creamy, and perfect for dessert tables. I can’t even begin to explain how happy I was when I pulled these out of the freezer—like, “I actually did this!”
Final Thoughts (Or, More Like Final Bites)
There you have it—5 easy vegan desserts that are so irresistibly good, you’ll wonder why you ever thought “vegan” and “dessert” were incompatible. They’re simple, made with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry, and can be whipped up in no time. Go ahead—treat yourself. You earned it. And hey, if anyone asks, you can tell them you’re living your best plant-based life.
Happy baking, y’all.