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 (all naturally lactose free desserts as well) 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 desserts, vegan desserts, top 9 free desserts, and top 14 free desserts. You’ll be able to easily create inclusion at your holiday table which is a huge win if you ask me.
Be sure to use the table of contents to jump around as I’ve tried to make helpful categories. However, I’m a little biased when I say, scroll through the whole post so you can see all of the dairy free + gluten free desserts on offer.
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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.
Dairy Free Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes (Including Pie 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
- Gluten Free + Dairy Free Pumpkin Cake Recipe (you don’t want to miss having this one on your holiday plate)
- Gluten Free + Dairy Free Pumpkin Pie Recipe (top 9 free and super inclusive)
- Vegan, Gluten Free Pie Crust Recipe (top 9 free and super inclusive for the holidays)
- Pumpkin Pie Spice Recipe (not quite a dessert, but you may need some of this)
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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.
Fun Things to Do with Dairy Free Pie Crust
This Thanksgiving, if you don’t feel like pulling out your old pie tin and want to try something different with pie crust, let’s take a look. Here are some fun ideas to try throughout the holidays:
Make Pie Crust Parcels
To make this, you’ll make any kind of filling you love first, then allow it to cool most of the way. Think stewed apples, mixed berry pie filling, lemon glazed blueberries, sweet pecans, and so on.
Next, make your pie crust. Place a large piece of parchment on your work surface and roll out the crust. Use a rolling pin like this one for an even, consistent height.
Use a large circle cookie cutter or a large biscuit or pastry ring to cut circles. Put a circle in the palm of your hand, add a bit of filling to the center, then use your free hand to pull the outsides upwards so all the sides come together, like a quasi-dumpling. The final shape should remind you of Santa’s sack of toys.
Make a bunch of these and place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Bake until the crust golden brown and delicious. Alternatively, you can fold each circle over and crimp closed with a fork like mini hand pies.
Make a Savory Pie Crust for Other Dishes
You know how sometimes foods like mashed potatoes can get a little boring because of the texture? Well, what if you could change that??
For this, you’ll want to start by adding spices and/or herbs to your pie crust dough so it reads as savory. You’ll also want to use smoked salt for extra flavour (trust me on this one). Once the dough is ready, roll out your crust and use cookie cutters to make simple fall shapes like leaves.
Bake the shapes in the oven until they’re golden brown and delicious. Then, when you serve foods like mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes, or even green beans, add a savory pie crust shape on top.
Alternatively, you can make circles of the savory crust and just plop a circle right on top of the food. Less work for the same result.
Create Festive Cutout Pie Crust Decor for Topping Other Dishes
This is similar to the idea above. This time however, you’re going to use some kind of powder in your pie crust dough to change the colour. It can spinach powder, tomato powder, carrot powder, butterfly pea tea powder, blue spirulina, turmeric, beet powder, and so on.
Once you have the colour(s) you want, roll out your crust and use cookie cutters to make shapes that hopefully compliment the colour.
Bake the shapes in the oven until they’re golden brown and tasty. Then, when you serve foods like stuffing, turkey, cranberry gel, and so on, add a festive pie crust shape on top. This can also be a really fun activity for kids to help with.
Bake Pie Crust Bowls
For this, you’ll want to use a regular sized muffin tin. I always use liners which makes the release a BREEZE and I suggest you do the same. Make the pie crust in your food processor, then use a small cookie scoop to portion the dough (1 – 2 small scoops should be good).
Use your fingers to spread pie dough all over the liner. Once they look good, bake until golden brown and ready to be used. Let the mini bowls cool completely before using them.
Once cooled, fill! Here’s a short list of fun and delicious filling ideas to get you started:
- No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake
- Chocolate Mousse (can be made vegan with tofu or soy free tofu)
- Dairy Free + Egg Free Chocolate Pudding (this easy recipe is made in the blender)
- Sweet Dairy Free Cream Cheese + Maple Glazed Pecans (the pecans should be lowkey swimming in maple and flavouring agents)
- Homemade Vegan Sweet Potato Pie Filling
- No-Bake Cinnamon Ginger Cheesecake with Stewed Cinnamon Apples
- Glazed Bananas + Chocolate Mousse
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)
- Gluten Free, Vegan, Dairy Free Carrot Cake Recipe (this recipe is from my award winning free-from bakery)
- Vegan Snickerdoodles (or these pumpkin snickerdoodles)
- Gluten Free + Dairy Free + Egg Free Pumpkin Cake Recipe
- Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
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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 Have at 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.
I also have this no-cook vegan, egg free chocolate pudding recipe you can try. It’s rich in flavor, and made with healthy ingredients like avocado. It could be a nice light dessert after an evening full of turkey and stuffing.
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!
Can I use gluten-free flour in any regular recipe instead of wheat flour?
Maybe. This is the sort of thing you have to evaluate on a recipe by recipe basis. For example, if we’re talking about making a roux or even a thickening agent for butternut squash soup, yes. You can totally use gluten-free flour as a 1:1 substitute.
In bread making however, no, you cannot. If the bread calls for eggs and milk powder, you might be able to get away with it since the eggs can help support the recipe. On the flip side, if it’s something like sourdough, nope. You need to start with a proper gluten free recipe to get the best results. My friend Laura over at Rustic Scoop has an amazing gluten free sourdough course (and starter) that you can enroll in.
For cookies, usually, yes, you can swap wheat flour for gluten-free flour. Pie crusts will usually be the same. Cakes, that’s going to depend. Again, if eggs are present, you’ll have a higher chance at success.
Ultimately, if you really want your gluten-free flour to shine, start with a gluten-free recipe. It’s not a straightforward answer and at the end of the day, free-from baking especially, is a delicate science and it’s easy to go wrong. And waste super expensive ingredients.
If a recipe calls for white sugar, can I use coconut sugar instead?
For function, yes, you can make that substitution. All granulated sugars are a 1:1 substitute for one another. Granulated sweeteners include maple sugar, date sugar, white sugar, brown sugar, raw sugar, coconut sugar, and so on.
However, for taste and appearance, there will be differences. If you have a medical/health condition and can only use coconut sugar, make the swap with managed expectations.
If you ran out of white sugar, use coconut sugar in a pinch, or go to the store. The thing is, on the taste buds, white sugar registers as sweeter than an unrefined sugar, like coconut sugar and maple sugar.
I’ll add, you plan to have friends and family over and you’re in charge of desserts and they’re expecting the classic flavors and you hit them with coconut sugar, there will be comments and shifty side eyes. Like that one meme one of my kids sent me.
At the end of the day, know that the substitute will work and won’t ruin the recipe, but you won’t be making the same recipe as intended and there will be a change in taste, sweetness, and general appearance.
Can I leave the salt out of dessert recipes?
If you have a health condition and need a low/no sodium diet, leave the salt out. However, be sure to manage your expectations.
On the other hand, if you can have salt in regular amounts, don’t skip the salt in dessert recipes.
A lot of people don’t know this, but salt can lift up just about everything in the food world because it helps draw out natural flavours, even in desserts. Not only that, but it can enhance the flavour, like when you put a finishing salt on chocolate chip cookies, or add it to your glazed pecans mixture.
If you’re hesitant to use salt because you’re new to making dairy free desserts at home, use half and see what you think, but make that modification with your eyes wide open. Trust me, as a free-from recipe developer, we don’t add the salt without a reason.
Is it OK to substitute baking powder for baking soda?
Nope, and I’m so glad you asked because they aren’t the same thing. Generally, you don’t want to use more than half a teaspoon of baking soda in a batch of cookies, cake, and so on. More than that and you’ll negatively impact the flavour. Some recipes can get away with up to a teaspoon, but more than that and people will KNOW.
If a recipe needs baking powder, it’s there for lift, and if it’s an egg free recipe, it really needs the support. Removing it for baking soda will ruin your baked goods. Additionally, if you don’t pair the baking soda with an acid (lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, etc.), you’ll have less than stellar results.
Either way, don’t use a tonne of baking soda, since that will ruin your awesome dairy free Thanksgiving desserts.
