These fancy Vegan Thanksgiving Desserts are the perfect tasty additions to your menu. Dairy-free and egg-free cakes, pies and more made with delicious apple, pumpkin, pear and plum.
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What do vegans eat for Thanksgiving dessert?
Vegans can enjoy egg and dairy-free versions of Thanksgiving treats like pies, crisps and crumbles made with seasonal fruit, fruit and spice breads, cakes, and bars.
Find a recipe online, veganize a family recipe, or pick up an “accidentally vegan” store-bought pie like Sara Lee Dutch Apple Pie or Marie Callender’s Cherry Crunch Pie.
For more tasty vegan recipes for the holiday season, check out our Thanksgiving Dinner, Christmas desserts, apple, pumpkin, and sweet potato recipe roundups.
My Favorites
This classic vegan pumpkin pie ranks 10 out of 10 on the Eggs-ceptional Meter, but without the eggs. It’s held together instead by a delish blend of pumpkin puree and coconut milk and infused with the magic of pumpkin pie spice.
The only thing better than a bite of apple pie crumbling on your plate is a bite of apple pie crumbling on your tongue, and this vegan apple pie with its buttery, flaky crust, care of sweet vegan butter, and fresh seasonal apples is just the way the apple pie crumbles.
Why bother with stodgy old pumpkin pie when you can have a lighter-than-air slice of Thanksgiving flavor? This pumpkin mousse pie is not only vegan but it’s gluten, dairy and guilt-free.
Sweet potato casserole is the Thanksgiving table’s sweet problem child. On the one hand, it tastes oh-so-good when served next to your turkey and stuffing. On the other hand, it’s a tastes-like-seconds dessert. Eating it for dinner and dessert is the only solution to this dilemma.
Move over apple pie! Your pear pie cousin is on the scene and ready to take Thanksgiving to a higher level with a touch of chai spice. To really take the decadence level of this chai spice pear pie to the next level, serve it piping hot with a dollop of French vanilla ice cream.
Vegan Apple Bourbon Layer Cake
The flavors of apple, cinnamon and bourbon are made for a Fall celebration. This three-layer cake has them all. Think warmly spiced apple cake with a luscious bourbon-apple filling all topped with a cinnamon-scented buttercream.
This gluten-free pear ginger crisp is a double-delish whammy. A swirl of pear and ginger flavors waltz together across your tongue, complemented by the sweet and crispy crunch of rolled oats.
I challenge you to find someone who doesn’t swoon when presented with a parfait — and this one’s super healthy. Vegan and gluten-free, its layers of pumpkin smoothie, crunchy granola and coconut cream are the perfect finale for a Thanksgiving feast.
This vegan carrot cake, with its dairy-free cream cheese frosting, offers a delectable reminder that not all fall fruits fall from trees. Hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground ginger juxtapose the sweetness of carrots, raisins, and vanilla in every bite.
Pumpkin Cake with Butterscotch Frosting
What do you get when you have a bunch of pantry ingredients, a mixing bowl and a craving for something amazing? A pumpkin cake with butterscotch swirl frosting! You heard right. This easy recipe turns out perfectly every time.
One of fall’s overlooked flavor pairings is the fabulous combination of pear and ginger. Sweet fruit with a warm kick of crystalized ginger turns this easy-to-make bundt cake into something applause-worthy.
Never has the saying “easy as pie” been so accurate! Pecan pie is a Thanksgiving classic and this healthier, vegan version is so easy to make. Maple syrup replaces the corn syrup and tofu replaces the eggs. Simple!
What do you get when you cross caramel, banana, and chocolate with a cookie pie crust? Why, a pie that both the Cookie Monster and Count Chocula would love, of course. And we’re willing to bet that you’ll love it, too!
It is a truth universally acknowledged that every Thanksgiving guest is secretly in the want of a pumpkin roll slice after their meal. Don’t fuss! This recipe is so easy and will please vegans and non-vegans alike.
This vegan apple cobbler tastes like crisp apples and cozy nights by the fire on a fall night. The biscuit topping snuggles up with apples that warm your tummy and spirit.
Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake
This caramel apple upside-down cake will turn your taste buds upside down and inside out as it takes them on a flavor odyssey that is rivaled only by Homer’s epic poem itself.
This multi-layered dessert sits on a foundation of soft pumpkin bread topped with pumpkin custard, cookies, and vegan whipped cream. A kaleidoscope of sweet and savory spices, along with a butterscotch sauce, creates a post-Thanksgiving sweet treat that’s both complex in flavor and satisfying in execution.
Dessert maxim — anything with layers is automatically impressive. When there’s cheesecake involved and it has a date and nut crust, it becomes one of the more epic vegan Thanksgiving desserts.
Apples are the star of this pie. It seems obvious but so many apple pies mask that apple goodness with too much spice, sweetness or other flavorings. This one’s all about the apples, baby.
If you’re looking for that old-fashioned tasting pumpkin pie from days gone by, look no further. Even though it’s been given a vegan transformation, it hasn’t lost any of that silky smooth texture and holiday flavor.
There’s no better way to say Happy Thanksgiving, than to arrive at your family feast with a pumpkin cheesecake in hand. This version has a kick of espresso, perfect for combatting any post-meal drowsiness.
Vegan Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Bread
During the holiday season, there’s nothing better than giving something homemade as a gift. How about a festive loaf of cinnamon sugar-topped pumpkin bread? It’s a sure-fire way into that special someone’s heart.
What’s a slab pie? It’s a pie made in a shallow pan that creates more delicious surface area for feeding a crowd — ideal for Thanksgiving. The apples, raspberries and cranberries in this dessert taste like holiday happiness.
Butternut Squash & Orange Cake
What in the world do you do with leftover Thanksgiving butternut squash? I know! You make a delightful vegan butternut squash and orange cake. Now those relatives still hanging around your house will have something fresh to nibble on.
If you love sweetbreads and want to expand your palate’s horizons past banana bread and zucchini muffins, then you simply must add this sweet potato bread to your list of fall desserts. Pure maple syrup, vanilla, and cinnamon coax flavorful fall flavors from your fresh sweet potatoes to make one tummy-warming bread.
No-Bake
This cheesy pumpkin cheesecake is nuts, literally. It blends softened cashews, pumpkin puree, and coconut cream to create a moist, no-bake cheesecake that’s, well, simply nuts!
These pecan pie bars fit neatly in a day bag when you’re on the run and even more neatly in your tummy when it’s time to stop. Of course, given that the distinct flavors of pumpkin and pecan permeate these bite-size bars of wonder, they make a perfectly plucky Thanksgiving dessert, too.
Vegan Apple Pie Cheesecake Cups
As far as dessert mash-ups go, this one’s ability to merge the flavors of two popular fall fruits – apples and pumpkins – with the creamy goodness of vegan cheesecake is next-level delish. And its sprinkle of sweet spices in this cup-sized dessert leaves a lingering flavor signature on your palate after dinner’s end.
This pumpkin mousse parfait is like pumpkin pie in a glass. Though it lacks the crust of pie, it makes up for it with a layer of crumbled cookie or, if you prefer, toasted oats. All the while, its layers of creamy pumpkin filling and whipped cream linger deliciously on your taste buds.
This pumpkin pie and cheesecake combo dessert breaks the impasse you feel on Thanksgiving when you must decide between pumpkin or cheesecake. It’s a why-not-have-both moment every time you take a bite of it.
Chocolate-covered pumpkin filling infused with the nutty flavor of cassava flour makes these fall desserts linger in your memory. But don’t let the “truffle” in the title intimidate you. With only seven ingredients, they’re a cinch to make.
These fun-sized pecan pie mini tarts deliver the same epic pecan pie flavor of a full-sized pie but in convenient bite-sized bits. Now, you can truly eat the whole pie without the guilt!
These pumpkin pie tarts are what you turn to when you only want a little pumpkin pie after Thanksgiving dinner. We only offer one word of caution, though. These are so good that one turns into two turns into three… You get the idea.
Chocolate Desserts
Pumpkins and chocolate. Could there be any more perfect dessert? These pumpkin brownies, with their rich swirls of chocolate and moist pumpkin filling… Let’s just say. We don’t think so.
This is a lovely and unique cake that combines roasted plums, dark chocolate and vegan crème fraiche. Sweet, tart and decadent, it’s a perfect addition to your holiday dessert table.
Chocolate cheesecake? Pumpkin cheesecake? Chocolate cheesecake? Pumpkin cheesecake? It’s possible to put a halt to the endless competition between two delectable dessert items and just do both – preferably in the same forkful – if you whip up one of these chocolate pumpkin cheesecakes.
These pumpkin chocolate bars, with their crusts made from sweet dates and oats and ooey-gooey pumpkin filling topped with melt-in-your-mouth chocolate frosting, will be the dessert that people will stand around the dessert table for on Thanksgiving.
This chocolate silk pie weaves intricate flavors and textures across your taste buds with each decadent bite. Creamy, no-bake chocolate silk and fluffy vegan coconut cream whipped topping epitomize egg-free, bake-free luxury in every bite.
Chocolate chip pumpkin rolls combine the sweet, after-dinner-treat taste of pumpkin breads and the chewy, warm goodness of dinner rolls in every satisfying bite. Eat with your turkey if you simply must eat dessert first on Thanksgiving.
Chocolate lovers, this one’s for you. I present a luscious, no-bake chocolate ganache tart with pecans and an Oreo cookie crust. That’s three levels of awesome in one dessert! Bonus—it’s incredibly easy to make.
If you’ve ever thought you’d like to try a pumpkin pie version of peanut butter cups, now’s your chance! This version of the concept pairs the crunchy chocolate exterior of the famous candy bar with a Thanksgiving-ized center filled with pumpkin and caramel filling.
Chocolate Filled Pumpkin Cupcakes
Want to know what’s even better than a pumpkin cupcake? A pumpkin cupcake filled with chocolate whipped cream and topped with chocolate ganache and loads of goodness. That’s what.
Gluten-Free
Let’s face it, Grandma was a good cook but everything the woman made had gluten in it. This recipe ushers apple pie into the 2020s and shows a modern generation how a gluten-free apple pie can be done.
With crunchy crumbles and a drizzle of vegan vanilla sauce, this veganized version of Swedish apple pie makes you want to rethink what kind of pie is meant in the whole mom-and-apple-pie thing. So yum!
Sweet potato pie is like pumpkin pie’s equally delicious cousin on your Thanksgiving dessert table. It’s deceptively pumpkin-y taste takes its flavor profile from the pumpkin pie spices therein and maybe just a tiny bit of magic!
Vegan apple cheesecake has come a loooonnngg way, baby, thanks to recipes like this. Vegan cream cheese care of some fresh cashews, spicy apple toppings, and a to-die-for crust will make you brave enough to eat cheesecake again!
For those of you who think nothing of eating pecans by the handfuls, this dessert cranks your pecan-eating ways up a notch. It combines the sweet and crunchy goodness of pecans with an addicting crust.
Vegan Pumpkin Muffins (gluten-free)
Want a pumpkin muffin recipe the whole family will love? This is it! Topped with cinnamon sugar, they’re light and fluffy and make a perfect breakfast, snack or dessert. Don’t tell the kids but they’re also vegan and gluten-free!
Salted Caramel Pumpkin Pie Bars with Pretzel Crust
This sweet and salty dessert has a bit of an identity crisis, and we LOVE it! Between the ooey goodness of the salted caramel pumpkin pie bars and the pretzel crust, your tongue won’t be able to decide whether it likes the sweet or the salt better!
Mini apple pies with copious amounts of caramel and a crunchy crust are the dessert you didn’t know you needed on Thanksgiving.
Macro-Friendly
Just because it’s made with a squash, doesn’t mean that traditional pumpkin pie is healthy. That’s all about to change. This recipe swaps out the condensed milk and adds coconut cream, significantly upping the health factor.
Vegan Apple Tart with Walnut Crust
Here is the wholesome dessert you’ve been waiting for. Sweetened with maple syrup, the apples burst with flavor atop of a walnut and oat crust. It’s a healthy autumn symphony.
These pumpkin pie crumble bars explode with flavor and amazing textures in your mouth. These bars are perfect when you need just a few more bites of dessert before you call it good.
AIP Salted Caramel Apple Parfaits
If your Thanksgiving celebration is like playing dietary restriction bingo, this dessert might just be something everyone can enjoy. This yummy looking, single-serve apple parfait is vegan and AIP-friendly as well as gluten, dairy and tree nut-free.
Purple Sweet Potato Pie (paleo)
Would you like to liven up your Thanksgiving? Get a load of your guests’ faces when you come around the corner with this purple sweet potato pie in your hands! No food coloring but plenty of yum!
These cinnamon-baked pears are just the right dessert when you’re stuffed, stuffed, stuffed but still want a little sweet something. Baked pears topped with coconut cream topping and a sprinkle of granola for good measure are just the right end to Thanksgiving dinner.
If you’ve got 10 minutes and a hankering for pumpkin pie, you’ve got enough time to whip up this creamy pumpkin pie custard. It’s the sweet loveliness of pumpkin pie all served up in a cup, ready to eat.
Raw
Stuffed with fresh apples, copious amounts of cinnamon, and lots of delish crumbles, this raw vegan apple pie serves up all the comforting goodness of hot pie with the powerful flavor of fresh fall fruits.
At Thanksgiving, when ovens are at a premium, this no-bake maple and pecan pie is a lifesaver. It only takes a few hours in the refrigerator, so you and the pie can both chill.
When you only want just one small bite of apple pie, there’s these cute little numbers. With crusts made of dried dates, coconuts, and almonds, this apple pie recipe hits the spot, one small bite at a time.
Salted Caramel Pecan Pie (gluten-free)
If you’re a fan of salty and sweet, then this is the Thanksgiving pie for you. The little bit of pink Himalayan salt jumpstarts the sweetness into high gear in this rich and decadent dessert.
Creamy comfort food goodness in every bite. That’s what you’ll get when you venture a taste of this raw apple cake. Coconut butter, maple syrup, and apples top an even more apple-filled crust. Walnut crunch, plus some sea salt, adds a salty juxtaposition to the sweet of the cake.
FAQ
Vegans can enjoy egg and dairy-free versions of Thanksgiving treats like pies, crisps and crumbles made with seasonal fruit, fruit and spice breads, cakes, and bars. Find a recipe online, veganize a family recipe, or pick up an “accidentally vegan” store-bought pie like Sara Lee Dutch Apple Pie or Marie Callender’s Cherry Crunch Pie.
Some popular Thanksgiving cakes are pumpkin cake and apple cake, so it’s simple to replace the eggs in this recipe with pumpkin puree or applesauce without altering the flavor of the cake. Other egg substitutes that have a neutral flavor are vegan yogurt, silken tofu, or a mixture of baking soda and vinegar.
Making a fluffy vegan cake can go wrong for a few reasons. Without leavening agents like baking powder or baking soda (or when used incorrectly), the cake won’t rise properly. Overmixing batter creates a dense, gummy texture by agitating the gluten in the flour.
Yes, pumpkin is vegan. You can cook fresh pumpkin to use in both savory and sweet recipes like pumpkin soup, pumpkin curry, pumpkin muffins, and pumpkin pie. Canned pumpkin puree and some canned pumpkin pie mixes are vegan, but be sure to check the ingredients. Store-bought pumpkin pie is rarely vegan because it usually contains eggs and milk.
60+ Easy Vegan Thanksgiving Desserts To Wow Everyone
Ingredients
- apple
- pumpkin
- cinnamon
- pecans
Instructions
- Choose your favorite Thanksgiving dessert from the list.
- Click on the name to get to the recipe.
- Happy cooking!
Can it be Thanksgiving already ?
Gosh, everything looks so delicious
Love the looks of some of these. While hubby is not vegan, he has agreed to an all vegan Thanksgiving to support me. But one of my absolute must haves for Thanksgiving is a cranberry and orange relish. It is raw, so no need to waste a burner space on the stovetop. You can use fresh or whole frozen cranberries, thawed out. 1 bag of cranberries, 2c sugar and 3 Navel oranges. In food processor pulse the cranberries until finely chopped but not puréed. Scrape into a mixing bowl. Next quarter the oranges, leaving skin on but removing any seeds you find Pop in the food processor, no need to clean from the cranberry use. Bitty until the orange skin is quite fine. Scrape into the mixing bowl with the cranberry pieces, add your sugar and mix well. Pop in the fridge, covered until needed. Can be made a few days ahead of time or even longer if you pop it in the freezer., as it freezes well. Just take it out the day before you need it to thaw in the fridge. As there are just 2 of us, I make the whole lot but freeze in portions, saving some for xmas. I use the remainder to serve throughout the winter when having something rich or heavy for a weekend meal. But it also works great for mixing with creamy rich desserts such as topping on a coconut cream panacotta. Or on a vanilla cheesecake. *I usually don’t use the full 2 c of sugar as I like mine really tart, so use 1c and try a taste to see if you need to add more and add as needed from there.
That relish sounds amazing Shelley! Your hubby is very supporting. 🙂
These are FANTASTIC ! Thank you so much.
Thanks!! Can’t wait to make some of these