10 Simple & Delicious Vegan Desserts for Thanksgiving

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When you think of Thanksgiving desserts, pumpkin pie probably comes to mind first. And yes, pumpkin pie is delicious (I’m not here to cancel it). But let’s be honest—after the main feast, wouldn’t it be nice to have a bit more variety on the table?

Especially if you have vegan guests or simply want dairy-free, egg-free options that are just as indulgent.

Looking for more easy, make-ahead vegan holiday recipes? Check out my Easy Vegan Thanksgiving & Christmas Cookbook — it includes 55+ festive recipes ready in 30 minutes or less, all with 10 ingredients or fewer, and practical prep-ahead tips for stress-free hosting.

10 Easy Vegan Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes

Good news: you don’t have to settle for plain fruit or “just a slice of pumpkin pie.” I’ve rounded up 10 amazing vegan Thanksgiving desserts that will impress your family and are easy to make. From cheesecakes to crisps, cookies, and bars, no one will miss the butter or cream.

1. Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake

If you love pumpkin pie but want a twist, pumpkin cheesecake is the perfect upgrade. It’s creamy, tangy, and rich—without dairy. Cashews, coconut cream, or vegan cream cheese make the filling silky smooth, while a simple graham cracker or oat-nut crust adds crunch.

Pro tip: Chill overnight for the best flavor—this dessert tastes even better the next day (if it lasts that long!).

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs (vegan)
• ¼ cup melted vegan butter
• 2 (8 oz) tubs vegan cream cheese
• 1 cup canned pumpkin purée
• ¾ cup coconut cream (thick part)
• ¾ cup sugar or maple syrup
• 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp cornstarch

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a springform pan with parchment.
2. Mix graham crumbs and melted butter, press into pan.
3. Blend cream cheese, pumpkin, coconut cream, sugar, spice, vanilla, and cornstarch until smooth.
4. Pour over crust and bake 40–45 minutes until edges are slightly firm.
5. Cool, then refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.

2. Apple Crisp with Oat Crumble Topping

Apple crisp is fall perfection. Warm, gooey apples under a crunchy oat topping? Heaven. Naturally vegan—just use coconut oil or vegan butter in the crumble.

Pair with vanilla coconut milk ice cream for a dessert people will fight over.

Ingredients:

• 6 apples, peeled and sliced
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 cup rolled oats
• ½ cup flour
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup melted vegan butter

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Toss apples with lemon, sugar, and cinnamon. Spread in a baking dish.
3. Mix oats, flour, brown sugar, and butter. Crumble over apples.
4. Bake 35–40 minutes until topping is golden and apples are soft.

3. Pecan Pie Bars

Veganizing traditional pecan pie is tricky, but bars make it easy. Shortbread-style base with gooey maple syrup and pecans—cut into squares for the dessert table or potluck.

Ingredients (Crust):

• 1 cup flour
• ¼ cup sugar
• ½ cup melted vegan butter

Ingredients (Filling):

• ½ cup maple syrup
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsp almond milk
• 1 ½ cups chopped pecans
• 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line 8×8 pan with parchment.
2. Mix crust ingredients, press into pan, bake 10 minutes.
3. Whisk syrup, sugar, cornstarch, and almond milk in a saucepan until thick (3–5 min).
4. Stir in pecans and vanilla, spread over crust. Bake 25 minutes, cool, then slice.

4. Vegan Chocolate Cream Pie

Chocolate lovers, this one’s for you. Vegan chocolate cream pie is silky, decadent, and perfect for Thanksgiving. Oreo or almond crust, rich chocolate pudding filling, topped with coconut whipped cream.

Ingredients:

• 1 prepared vegan cookie crust
• 1 can full-fat coconut milk
• 1 cup dairy-free chocolate chips
• ¼ cup sugar
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp vanilla
• Coconut whipped cream

Instructions:

1. Heat coconut milk until steaming.
2. Whisk in chocolate chips, sugar, cornstarch, and vanilla until thickened.
3. Pour into crust, refrigerate 3+ hours. Top with whipped cream.

5. Sweet Potato Pie

Creamy, naturally sweet, and subtly caramel-like. Vegan butter and plant milk make it dairy-free. Warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg make it holiday-ready.

Ingredients:

• 1 vegan pie crust
• 2 cups cooked mashed sweet potato
• 1 cup coconut milk
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Blend all filling ingredients until smooth.
3. Pour into crust. Bake 45–50 minutes until set. Cool completely before slicing.

6. Vegan Pumpkin Cookies with Maple Glaze

Handheld sweets are perfect after a big meal. Soft pumpkin cookies with a maple glaze—like a mini cake in cookie form.

Ingredients (Cookies):

• 1 cup pumpkin purée
• ½ cup sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup melted coconut oil
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon

Ingredients (Glaze):

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tbsp plant milk

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheet.
2. Mix pumpkin, sugars, oil, vanilla. Add flour, soda, cinnamon.
3. Scoop onto tray, bake 12–14 min.
4. Mix glaze and drizzle over cooled cookies.

7. Cranberry Oatmeal Bars

Sweet and tart, with a chewy oat crust and jammy cranberry filling. Festive, easy to slice, and freezer-friendly.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup flour
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup melted vegan butter
• 1 cup cranberry sauce

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix oats, flour, sugar, butter until crumbly.
3. Press half into 8×8 pan, spread cranberry sauce.
4. Sprinkle remaining oat mix on top, bake 25–30 min, cool, slice.

8. Vegan Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Moist, spiced, with shredded carrots, walnuts, or raisins. Top with vegan cream cheese frosting—seasonal crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients (Cake):

• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup applesauce
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 2 cups shredded carrots
• ½ cup walnuts (optional)

Ingredients (Frosting):

• 1 tub vegan cream cheese
• ½ cup vegan butter
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease 9×13 pan.
2. Mix dry ingredients. Stir in applesauce, oil, carrots, nuts. Bake 30–35 min.
3. Beat frosting ingredients, spread on cooled cake.

9. Chocolate Pecan Pie

Vegan chocolate pecan pie combines chocolate and pecans in a rich, gooey dessert. Flax eggs, maple syrup, and dairy-free chocolate chips make it indulgent.

Ingredients:

• 1 vegan pie crust
• ½ cup maple syrup
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsp almond milk
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• ½ cup dairy-free chocolate chips
• 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Whisk syrup, sugar, cornstarch, milk until thick.
3. Stir in pecans, chocolate, vanilla. Pour into crust, bake 35 min. Cool completely before slicing.

10. No-Bake Pumpkin Pie Cups

Short on oven space? These are your best friend. Layer crushed graham crackers, creamy pumpkin filling, and coconut whipped cream in jars. Adorable, make-ahead, and portion-controlled.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups crushed vegan graham crackers or gingersnaps
• ¼ cup melted vegan butter
• 1 cup pumpkin purée
• ½ cup coconut cream
• ½ cup sugar or maple syrup
• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• Coconut whipped cream

Instructions:

1. Mix crumbs with butter, press into jars.
2. Blend pumpkin, coconut cream, sugar, spice. Spoon over crust.
3. Top with whipped cream. Chill 1 hour before serving.

Bonus Tips for Serving Vegan Thanksgiving Desserts

• Make ahead: Cheesecakes, crisps, and bars taste even better after a day or two.
• Label desserts: Guests appreciate knowing what’s what.
• Serve with coffee or tea: Perfect pairing with rich desserts.
• Don’t overthink it: Good dessert is good dessert—vegan or not.

Conclusion: Your Table, Your Twist

There you have it: 10 amazing vegan Thanksgiving desserts beyond pumpkin pie. Cheesecakes, crisps, bars, and no-bake cups give your table plenty of variety.

Whether hosting a fully vegan feast or just adding a few plant-based sweets, these recipes prove you don’t need butter or eggs for indulgent desserts.

Now it’s your turn: Which one will you make first? Drop a comment and swap dessert ideas!

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FAQ: Vegan Thanksgiving Desserts

What desserts are naturally vegan for Thanksgiving?

Apple crisp, fruit crumbles, cranberry oatmeal bars, and some dark chocolate treats. Swap butter with coconut oil or vegan butter.

How do you replace eggs in vegan baking?

Use flax eggs (ground flax + water), chia eggs, applesauce, mashed banana, or aquafaba.

Can you make vegan pumpkin pie ahead of time?

Yes! Vegan pies often taste better after chilling overnight.

What’s the best vegan ice cream for Thanksgiving?

Coconut or oat milk-based vanilla ice creams work well. Brands like So Delicious, Oatly, and Nadamoo are reader favorites.

How can I impress non-vegans with vegan desserts?

Focus on flavor and texture. Chocolate pies, gooey pecan bars, and creamy cheesecakes taste indulgent no matter what—no one will notice they’re vegan.

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