16 Dairy-Free Desserts That Are Fluffy, Creamy and Totally Decadent

Avoiding dairy can be tough when it comes to dessert. Milk, cream and butter are key ingredients in so many luscious treats, but they don't have to be! There are some fantastic subsitutes — like coconut milk or almond milk — that can mimic that same creamy texture when used properly. Fresh fruit or sorbet is always a great option if you need a quick treat that doesn't have dairy, too.

If you're hosting an event and don't necessarily know all of your guests dietary preferences, it can be a good idea to have a few vegan dessert options on the table just in case anyone would rather avoid dairy. If someone does have a dairy allergy, be sure to check the packaging on all products carefully, including vegan substitutes, to ensure they weren't processed in a facility that also processes milk.

Need a few ideas to get you started? Read on for some of our favorites.

Simple and just sweet enough, this delicious dessert is layered with vegan shortcake, homemade dairy-free coconut whip cream and ripe strawberries. We top it off with toasted coconut for extra crunch and rich, caramelized flavor.

These ooey, gooey brownies are so decadent, you won’t believe they don’t have any dairy. They’re dense, chewy and dotted with vegan chocolate chips. Cornstarch is the key to keeping these brownies packed with texture but free from dairy.

Vanilla cupcakes are one of the biggest crowd pleasers you can make when you’re hosting guests of different ages. Kids love them, teenagers love them and grown ups love them. This version is vegan which makes it even better for a group if you’re hosting folks with different dietary restrictions.

This dessert takes the classic Neapolitan combination of chocolate, strawberry and vanilla ice creams and gives it the nice cream treatment by swapping out the heavy cream and swapping in bananas. The frozen bananas add density and creamy texture that makes this treat taste just like the real thing. Be sure to use ripe or overripe bananas to ensure extra sweet flavor.

Fresh fruit is one of the best ways to make a flavorful dessert without adding dairy. We love this tart that’s surprisingly free from dairy and gluten. Better yet, there's a few steps that can be done in advance — like mixing the filling and baking the crust off in advance.

This fluffy vegan carrot cake is warm and inviting thanks to hints of cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger. An extra-generous portion of shredded carrots adds extra sweetness and moisture. It’s totally vegan, so applesauce is key to helping the cake achieve its fluffy texture. The applesauce reacts with the baking sauce to help the cake layers rise, and the shredded carrots provide necessary structure.

Any recipe that requires only three ingredients is a win in our book. Extra-ripe bananas, raspberry jam and coconut oil are all you need to create a quick frozen treat that’s healthy and totally delicious. Most of all, we love that the prep for this recipe only takes 5 minutes.

Lemon bars should be tangy, not-too-sweet and full of lemony flavor, and that’s exactly what you get with this vegan version. Unlike traditional lemon bars, we boil the topping — made from vegan sugar, flour, cornstarch and cashew milk — rather than baking it right into the shortbread base.

This chocolate pudding is so simple and easy to whip up, it’s a great dessert for a quick weeknight dinner. The almond milk becomes delightfully thick when warmed on the stove. Be sure to let it cool completely before serving so the pudding has a chance to set.

Store bought oat milk is key to making this nice cream extra smooth and silky. Cashew butter and coconut oil gives it an even more creamy texture and tapioca starch helps thicken it. There’s no eggs either, so it’s dairy-free and totally vegan.

Pavlova is a fantastic dairy free dessert because it’s light, flaky and delightfully tender on the inside. The best part? You can top it with any number of fruity or sweet toppings. Here, Geoffrey opts for a tangy store-bought lemon curd and a variety of sweet, fresh berries.

It can be hard to create a vegan ice cream that’s actually creamy, which is why we love this version so much. Coconut milk, almond butter and blended chickpeas create a mixture that is dense and silky. We serve it with an extra sprinkle of coconut chips for a flavorful plant-based treat.

This is one of the most comforting desserts you’ll find. Served warm, the pillowy dumplings are similar to the flaky biscuits found in a traditional cobbler. Each bite gets sweetened by the natural sweetness of the berries along with a splash of grape juice and maple syrup.

Two ingredients is all you need to make this simple yet impressive dessert. Start by carving out a watermelon into a basket shape — make sure to select one with a flatter bottom — and scoop the inside into balls using a melon baller. Next, transfer the basket to the freezer and freeze for at least three hours. That way, the scoops of sorbet will stay cold while you serve them.

These faux fruit salad slices are so fun and inventive, they’re sure to be the talk of the party. Jell-o is always a great dairy free dessert option, and while this method might look intimidating, it’s actually surprisingly easy. Simply cut your citrus fruit in half, scoop out the flesh, then place the rinds in a muffin tin to keep them steady. Mix your gelatin per the instructions on the box and pour into the fruit molds, then refrigerate, slice and serve.