As you put together plans for your Thanksgiving dinner, be sure there’s space on the menu for a couple of dairy free Thanksgiving desserts as well. Today we’re going to take a look at all things dairy-free desserts so you have a range of options that your whole family will love.
In addition to showing you dairy free Thanksgiving recipes, this article includes gluten free, vegan, top 9 free, and top 14 free options. You’ll be able to easily create inclusion at your holiday table which is a huge win if you ask me.
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Dairy Free Thanksgiving Day Desserts My Kids Love
Here are just a few of the dairy free dessert recipes my kids absolutely adore, and love seeing each year at the Thanksgiving table. What’s great about these recipes is that they can be enjoyed by people, together, with a wide range of dietary restrictions.
- Dairy + Top 9 Free Pumpkin Pie Recipe (I’m told this tastes very close to a traditional pumpkin pie)
- Gingerbread Cake (the best part is that this is freezer friendly so I can double batch and have it already made for Christmas as well)
- Delicious Apple Pie Cake (for one kid, this is their top favorite holiday cake)
- Gluten Free, Refined Sugar Free Carrot Oatmeal Maple Cookies
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Delicious Dairy Free, Truly Corn Free, Top 9 Free
If you manage a corn allergy like me, on top of being dairy free, and perhaps other food allergies, these are the best Thanksgiving recipes to start with.
- Vanilla Vegan Ice Cream Recipe
- Truly Corn Free Sweet Potato Pie Recipe (my favorite pie to make each year)
- Vegan Apple Pie Cups (grain free, Paleo, refined sugar free, top 14 free)
- AIP Paleo Pumpkin Cookies (the perfect end to a corn free Thanksgiving)
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Top 9 Free + Easy Thanksgiving Desserts
- Vanilla Smooches Cookies (play on Hershey’s Kiss cookies)
- Amazing Apple & White Chocolate Sheet Pan Cake Recipe
- Soft Baked Gingerbread Cookies
- Chocolate Mint Cookies (featuring No Whey top 9 free candies)
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Easy Vegan Thanksgiving Desserts (Gluten Free + Allergy Friendly)
If you need an easy delicious vegan option for dessert at your Thanksgiving feast, here are a few recipes and ideas. Also know that that the other desserts in this article are also vegan, so you can choose from any of them.
Vegan Dessert Idea: Pie Bar
If you’re not a huge fan of baking pies, don’t. Instead, create a build your own pie bar station. For those who like a crustless pumpkin pie or apple pie experience, this is especially helpful. To set up the bar, you’ll want several items out to cover your bases.
- Crust Options: Graham Crackers, Cinnamon Tortilla Chips, Ice Cream Cones, Baked & Chopped Flaky Crust Pieces
- Pie Filling Options: Pumpkin Pie Filling, Apple Pie Filling, Chocolate Silk/Fudge
- Toppings: Sprinkles, Several Ice Cream Options, Toasted Oats, Chocolate Chips, Dairy Free Caramel Sauce
Make it Mini
If the thought of baking up the perfect pie overwhelms you a bit, consider making mini pies instead. You can make mini pumpkin pies, mini apple pie, mini coconut cream pie, and well, any pie you love, but in miniature form.
Mini cupcakes are another fun way to have a very happy Thanksgiving if you ask me. In fact, you can make mini chocolate, cinnamon, or vanilla dairy free cupcakes, then top with delicious pumpkin frosting. Yup, it can be that simple.
Dessert Recipes
- Gluten Free, Top 9 Free Vegan Pumpkin Bread Recipe
- Ginger Apple Cake Recipe (Vegan, Gluten Free, Top 9 Free)
- Diary Free Cashew Pumpkin Pudding Recipe
- Pumpkin Vegan Cheesecake Recipe
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Easy Dairy Free Thanksgiving Desserts for Larger Gatherings
When it comes to making an easy dessert for larger gatherings, I tend to think of sheet pan cakes as my first line of defense. That’s because you mix, transfer to the pan, then pop it in the oven. You don’t need to scoop like with cookies, or slice fresh fruit like with apple pie. Not only that, but you can serve the cake on the baking tray and call it a day.
- Vanilla Sheet Pan Cake (the vanilla beans just make this *chef’s kiss*
- Gluten & Dairy Free Black Cacao Sheet Pan Cake (Faux Hostess Cake)
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Great Desserts for Small Gatherings
If you need delicious desserts without having too many leftovers at your Thanksgiving meal, here are some great recipes. Also know that with some baked recipes such as cookies, cakes, pecan pie bars, lemon bars, and so on, you can cut the recipe in half, or down to 25%.
- Apple Crisp (this vegan recipe is loved by all the non-vegans I’ve ever served it to)
- Coconut Milk Pumpkin Pie Recipe
- Easy Baked Pumpkin Doughnuts Recipe
- Oatmeal Cranberry White Chocolate Chunk Cookies
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Amazing Dairy Free Desserts to Christmas Time
- Mint Chip Edible Cookie Dough (Gluten Free, Vegan, Top 9 Free)
- Holiday Cut Out Shortbread Cookies (Refined Sugar Free, GF, V, Top 9 Free)
- Cranberry Orange Cookies (GF, V, Top 9 Free)
- Christmas Tree Cupcakes (such a fun project for kids and adults)
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Non-Traditional Gluten-Free Vegan Thanksgiving Desserts to Enjoy
When you think of dairy free holiday desserts, I’m sure these suggestions aren’t the first ideas to pop into your mind. Here’s the thing though: it’s your holiday to enjoy as you see fit. If you love putting a fun twist on recipes and holiday traditions, do it. If you want strawberry pie at Thanksgiving, have it. You don’t need to follow traditions, you only need to make sure your Thanksgiving feast is comprised of safe and delicious dishes that you just love to bits.
- Upside Down Banana Cake
- Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting + Graham Crackers (including chocolate graham crackers)
- Candy Cookie Bars
- Pumpkin Waffle Quarters + Chocolate Dipping Sauce
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Great Ingredients to Keep on Hand
If you plan to make dairy free Thanksgiving desserts, here are some fantastic ingredients to keep on hand. I’ll also add, plan to keep most of these ingredients in your pantry year round if you’re a fan of making desserts outside of the holiday season.
Dairy Free Milk
When it comes to selecting a dairy free milk, it’s mostly going to come down to your taste buds. In cooking and baking, they’re a 1:1 swap for each other. You can choose from a wide range of options including:
- Almond milk
- Banana Milk
- Boxed Coconut Milk
- Flax Seed Milk
- Oat Milk
- Peanut Milk
- Rice Milk
- Sesame Seed Milk
- Soy Milk
I will add this: some milks will have a more distinct flavour when compared to others. If you’re new to dairy free living, you can check out the dairy free milk reviews my child with a milk allergy has put together.
Full Fat Coconut Milk
Full fat coconut milk comes in a can, and has a thick layer of fat on the top. This is not the same as boxed coconut milk, or coconut water. You should only purchase full fat coconut milk for recipes that call for it.
If a recipe calls for “coconut milk”, they’re referring to the boxed style. If it calls for “full fat coconut milk” or “canned coconut milk”, they’re referring to the high fat option. In cooking and baking, full fat coconut milk is not a 1:1 swap for other dairy free milks, so make sure you follow a good recipe.
Liquid Sweeteners
A liquid sweetener is usually sold in glass or plastic jars. Liquid sweeteners are generally a bit sweeter than granulated sweeteners. When swapping, you can only swap a liquid for a liquid, and a granulated for a granulated. Liquid sweeteners should only be used in baking recipes that call for them, as they can throw off the texture of baked goods if not done properly. Liquid sweeteners include:
- Agave
- Brown Rice Syrup
- Coconut Nectar
- Date Syrup
- Golden Syrup
- Honey
- Maple Syrup
- Sorghum Syrup
In recipes, you’re most likely to see maple syrup and golden syrup called for.
Granulated Sweeteners:
Granulated sweeteners have a grain like texture, and are what’s traditionally used in dessert recipes. You can swap a granulated sweetener for another granulated sweetener, but not for a liquid sweetener.
White sugars have less flavour, and more sweetness. The more brown a sugar is in colour, the more molasses is present. Here are common sweeteners you’ll see in dessert recipes:
- White Cane Sugar
- Light Brown Sugar
- Dark Brown Sugar
- Turbinado Sugar (raw sugar which is coarse and great for adding texture to top of baked goods)
Unrefined sweeteners include: maple sugar, date sugar, coconut sugar. These will be a lot less common, unless you need no/low sugar recipes.
Misc. Wet Ingredients
- Canned Sweet Potatoes (purée, this is the brand I use)
- Canned Pumpkin (purée, this is the pumpkin puree I use)
- Molasses
- Oil of Choice (an oil that’s liquid at room temperature such as olive oil, not an oil that’s solid at room temperature like coconut oil)
- Vanilla Extract (I like this brand)
Misc. Dry Ingredients
- Dairy Free Chocolate Chips (Pascha and Enjoy Life are my go-to brands, but there are more options these days)
- Graham Crackers (Once Again makes some great graham crackers)
- Warm Spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice (I like the Spicely brand)
Answering Your Questions About Dairy Free Thanksgiving Desserts
Is cocoa powder the same thing as cacao powder?
No, these are two different products, even though they’re spelled the same and look the same. Cocoa powder is processed, can contain sugar, and doesn’t have the same depth as cacao. The acid levels are also different.
If you’re looking for a rich, authentic chocolate flavour, you want cacao powder. In fact, all of my top 9 free, gluten free chocolate baked goods recipes call for cacao. As a free-from recipe developer, I can tell you that it’s a superior product. However, if you’re not used to it, it will take some adjusting. It may seem almost too dark if you’ve only baked with cocoa.
In terms of volume and performance, technically, you can swap the two in a recipe. However, and this is a big one, the taste will be totally altered.
What’s the best dairy free cream cheese to use for a no bake cheesecake?
I’ve done head to head comparisons of Kite Hill, Tofutti, and a now discontinued option as well. Tofutti came out the winner in the no bake cheesecake contest, and these were rated by people who can have milk. That to me is a real statement of how good it must be, as they have a better point of reference.
People with a milk allergy didn’t mind all of the options presented, so keep that in mind if you’re unable to find Tofutti, and you’re serving someone who was born with a milk allergy.
If you’d like another dairy-free option to investigate, Go Dairy Free has done a review of different options available.
Is it possible to make pecan pie without corn syrup?
Yes, you can make this classic dairy-free Thanksgiving dessert without corn syrup. In its place, you can use brown rice syrup, golden syrup (cane sugar), or sorghum syrup. I’d link you to the sorghum syrup I use, but can’t seem to find it online.
Each one of these will be a 1:1 swap, however, I encourage you to follow a recipe that uses the syrup of your choosing. If you were to choose golden syrup, you’d search online for “pecan pie recipe using golden syrup” or something of that nature.
Given my severe corn allergy, I’ve made quite a few classic pies without corn syrup, and everyone loves them. Happy baking!
What’s the best substitute for egg yolks in a pudding recipe?
Rather than start with a traditional recipe and replace the egg yolks, look up something like “vegan pudding easy recipe + flavour”. The flavour can be chocolate, vanilla, lemon, and so on.
The flavour is important because there’s no one size fits all substitute for egg yolks in this scenario, hence me saying go grab a recipe. The acidity level can impact how much substitute is needed. Also, there are a few ways a recipe developer might approach the substitution.
Is it possible to make a vegan meringue topping without egg whites?
Yes!!! Notice there’s more than one exclamation mark, and that’s because I’m just so excited about it. Rather than talk your ear off, head over to this recipe page on my website. Watch the video (you have to fast forward a it to get to the meringue portion).
In the video, I show you how to make aquafaba vegan marshmallow fluff, free of egg whites. You can also torch it, making it so fun to use.
I won’t have a lot of fridge space on Thanksgiving. What types of desserts can be stored at room temperature?
The best Thanksgiving dessert recipes to lean into if you don’t have fridge space include brownies, cookies, cake, pumpkin rolls made with frosting rather than a dairy free whipped cream, and dairy free recipes that have a set chocolate element like dipped pretzels.
Also, consider ice cream, or a layered ice cream cake if you’ll have freezer space available.
Can I use coconut oil in place of dairy free butter in a pie recipe?
Maybe, but it really depends on the pie flavour, how much butter is called for, and the purpose of the butter itself. If it were something like a classic pumpkin pie, I’d say yes, but only if you LOVE the flavour of coconut. It it’s something like a lemon meringue pie, I’d say no because the coconut flavour can overpower the lemon flavour.
Ultimately, for the best results, it’s important that you either use the ingredients that are called for, or find a different recipe that uses coconut oil out of the gate. As a long time gluten free and allergy friendly recipe developer, I can tell you that these ingredients are delicate and finicky. The more free-from a recipe becomes, the les flexible it is.
If you can follow the guidelines we give, you’re going to have success. When you start making swaps that are too “wide” for lack of a better word, we can’t guarantee your success. If you were to swap one dairy free butter for another dairy free butter, that’s doable. Coconut oil though, it’s not butter. It’s a special kind of oil that’s solid at room temperature, and has a very specific taste.
If you do end up making the swap, be sure to manage your expectations.
Could I use dairy free cream cheese in a regular cheesecake recipe to make it a vegan cheesecake?
I’m going to advise against that and encourage you to follow a vegan cheesecake recipe out of the gate, especially if this is your first vegan Thanksgiving. It’s even better if the vegan cheesecake recipe you choose uses the same brand of dairy free cream cheese that you have.
The reason why: in baking applications, dairy free cream cheese doesn’t always behave as expected when compared to a milk based cream cheese. If you’ve never worked with it before, it’s important to follow a proven recipe so you can gain hands on experience, without wasting expensive ingredients.
The end result should be a delicious vegan cheesecake that you’ll be happy to have on your Thanksgiving table.
What types of sugars can I use in a brown sugar oat crumble besides brown sugar?
The rule of thumb to follow anytime you need to swap a sweetener is: liquid for liquid and granulated for granulated.
In the case of your brown sugar oat crumble, brown sugar is what you’re replacing, and it’s a granulated sweetener. That means you can choose from white cane sugar, caster sugar, dark brown sugar, maple sugar, date sugar, and coconut sugar. All of those are granulated (like grains) and are a 1:1 swap.
Now, making the swap can change the taste and overall sweetness, but in terms of how much to use, it’s 1:1. Happy baking!
