31 Dairy-Free Recipes That Prove You CAN Enjoy Dessert Without Milk Or Butter (2024)

31 Dairy-Free Recipes That Prove You CAN Enjoy Dessert Without Milk Or Butter (1)

Here at Delish, we’re all about supporting those following special diets. Keto? We got you. Vegan? No problem. Sugar-free? We’re on top of it. So when it came to curating a list of the best dairy-free desserts, we knew we couldn’t just put fruit salad on here and call it a day. Whether you’re avoiding dairy because you’re lactose-intolerant, are vegan, or just can’t get through a whole gallon of milk on your own before it goes bad (hello, us too!), we’ve got a delicious recipe for you. We’ve got everything from cookies to cakes, nibbly snacks to frozen desserts, and more. Check out our list of 31 dairy-free desserts—they’re just as sweet without milk or butter.

There are a few reasons you might be looking for a dairy-free recipe: Some statistics say that over 65% of adults are mild to moderately lactose-intolerant, meaning their bodies can’t properly digest an enzyme in cow’s milk and its offshoots (cream, butter, etc.). Add sugar to that equation, and that’s a lot of potential after-dessert tummy aches. Another reason is if you’re vegan for moral or health-conscious reasons, meaning any ingredient that came from an animal (like cow’s milk or butter) is off the table. Be warned—some of these recipes DO have eggs in them, so be sure to check the ingredients if you’re avoiding all animal products.

Whether you’re baking for yourself or for someone else, everyone deserves a treat they can enjoy stress-free. Chocolate lover? Try our wacky chocolate cake, our flourless fudge cookies, or our vegan chocolate chip cookies. Nuts for toasty, nutty desserts? Try our halva recipe, our pignoli cookies, or our almond cake. Fruit fan? Try our pineapple granita, our fruit sorbet, or our poached pears. Most desserts are better alongside a scoop of something creamy and cold, so whip up a batch of our coconut ice cream too so you’re always ready to take your non-dairy desserts to the next level.

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1

Flourless Fudge Cookies

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We skipped the flour and butter but still created the fudgiest cookie with the crispiest edges. These are reminiscent of our famous flourless chocolate cake, so you know they're GOOD.

Get the Flourless Fudge Cookies recipe.

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2

Almond Cake

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This is one of those gluten-free and dairy-free recipes that we turn to again and again—it's that good. If you're crazy about citrus, go heavy on the zest (any type!) and your cake will shine extra bright.

Get the Best Almond Cake recipe.

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3

Sorbet

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The perfect homemade fruit sorbet is creamy, smooth and just as easy as making homemade ice cream. We show you how to use strawberries and raspberries, but mango, peach, blueberries, blackberries would all work well too—as long as you keep the same proportions, you can totally get creative.

Get the Sorbet recipe.

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4

Copycat Snickers Bar

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We’re going to tell it to you straight. Homemade candy takes time and patience, especially when you’re making chewy caramel and nougat. But it’s worth it 1,000 times over when you take a bite and realize that it’s even better than your favorite store-bought packaged treat

Get the Copycat Snickers Bar recipe.

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5

Halva

Halva is a Middle Eastern tahini-based treat similar to fudge, but less sweet. We're obsessed.

Get the Easy Halva recipe.

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6

Gluten-Free Brownies

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While we're all about a warm brownie, we recommend letting these dairy-and-gluten-free ones rest and cool before eating: you'll find that the brownie tastes sweeter once it's no longer warm, and the texture becomes more cohesive and fudge-like.

Get the Gluten-Free Brownies recipe.

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7

Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

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The idea that vegan desserts can't be delicious is a total myth. These cookies are dangerously addictive—a bit crisp on the edges and pleasantly chewy in the centers. They're good enough to prove any nay-sayer wrong.

Get the Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe.

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8

Vegan Cheesecake

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The secret to this magical vegan cheesecake that tastes shockingly smooth, creamy, and rich? Soaked cashews! While the raspberry topping is optional, it truly makes this cheesecake better than all the rest. A little sweet, fruit acidity helps the creaminess shine without being overpowering.

Get the Vegan Cheesecake recipe.

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9

Dole Whip

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This iconic dairy-free frozen treat will make all your Disney dreams come true. Need even more Dole Whip fun? Try our Dole Whip mimosas.

Get the Copycat Dole Pineapple Whip recipe.

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10

Honey Cookies

Thanks to syrupy honey, vegetable oil, and eggs, these soft and chewy cookies are dairy-free and FULL of subtle floral flavor. These are traditional for the Jewish holiday Rosh Hashanah, but make them anytime you're feeling extra sweet.

Get the Honey Cookies recipe.

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11

Cinnamon Sugar Vegan Donuts

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Donuts...that are delicious and vegan?! Believe it. We love the classic flavor of cinnamon sugar donuts, but you can totally top these with a non-dairy glaze and sprinkles too.

Get the Cinnamon Sugar Vegan Donuts recipe.

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12

Coconut Ice Cream

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This coconut ice cream is no joke. Not only is it dairy-free but it's completely vegan, too. It's ultra-creamy with a sweet coconut flavor that only gets better topped with toasted coconut. We love it with the real vanilla bean, but you can easily use an additional teaspoon of vanilla extract if you don't have any.

Get the Coconut Ice Cream recipe.

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13

Granita

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Hailing from Sicily, classic granita ranks among the most refreshing desserts ever, up there with snow cones and popsicles. This pineapple version is big on tropical flavors, with heavy notes of vanilla and toffee thanks to a splash of rum and a scoop of dark brown sugar.

Get the Granita recipe.

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14

Vegan Brownies

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If you're a fan of fudgy brownies and dark chocolate, these dairy-free (and egg-free!) brownies are for you. Don't skip the instant espresso powder if you can—it adds a depth of flavor you'll love.

Get the Vegan Brownies recipe.

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15

Pignoli Cookies

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This classic Italian cookie is perfect for the almond lovers in your life. The treat is studded with pignoli, Italian for pine nuts, and gets even more nutty flavor from a hefty amount of almond paste (one of our favorite secret weapons in baked goods for its rich, slightly sweet flavor). Egg whites help give the cookies an addictively chewy and airy texture, and also help make this cookie totally gluten-free and dairy-free.

Get the Pignoli Cookies recipe.

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16

Keto Chocolate Truffles

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The keto version of chocolate truffles, made dairy-free thanks to creamy avocado.

Get the Keto Chocolate Truffles recipe.

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17

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

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Is there anything better than chocolate-covered strawberries? We think not. They're indulgent and classy, romantic and a little cheesy—just sweet enough to make you and your loved ones smile.

Get the Chocolate Covered Strawberries recipe.

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18

Mangonada

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The secret to this sweet and savory scoop is chamoy, a sauce made of pickled fruits and chiles that is delicious on pretty much everything, but popular on fresh fruits, raw veggies, and grilled corn. If you can't track it down, we've provided an alternate recipe for a spicy strawberry swirl using Tajin. If you can't find Tajin in your grocery store, try out some chili powder or hot sauce and taste as you go!

Get the Mangonada Sorbet recipe.

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19

Chocolate Cuties

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You already know about chocolate-covered strawberries, but have you tried chocolate-dipped oranges? Don't skimp on that flaky sea salt—it helps the flavors meld together perfectly.

Get the Chocolate Cuties recipe.

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20

Coconut Macaroons

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What's better than coconut macaroons? Chocolate-dipped coconut macaroons. Want even MORE chocolate?Add melted chocolate and cocoa powder to your macaroon batter and do half chocolate, half vanilla.

Get the Best-Ever Macaroons recipe recipe.

31 Dairy-Free Recipes That Prove You CAN Enjoy Dessert Without Milk Or Butter (2024)
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