27 Delectable Dairy-Free Dessert Ideas

Welcome to my delectable dairy-free dessert round-up!

Whether you’re a seasoned vegan, have a dairy allergy, are lactose intolerant or you’re simply looking to explore new flavors, this collection of mouthwatering dairy-free desserts will excite your taste buds and prove that dairy-free cooking is anything but bland. I know what you’re thinking – you can’t have cheesecake without the cheese!

These recipes will show you just how amazing dairy alternatives can be.

From creamy no-bake pies to indulgent brownies, this list of 27 dairy-free desserts is your ultimate guide to creating wholesome and satisfying sweets without a drop of dairy. Get ready to tantalize your senses and discover the joy of dairy-free dining with this hand-picked selection of recipes from around the world. Let’s dive in!

1. Chewy Dairy-Free Dessert Brownies

I’m starting off the round-up with brownies because I just love a good fudgy brownie. A coconut oil base gives these dairy-free brownies the fudge texture we all love. If you’re looking for a cake like brownie – this is not it! Enjoy Life is a fantastic dairy-free brand that makes the chocolate you can use for this recipe. 

2. Gluten-Free, Dairy Free, Oreo No-Bake Pie

Did you know that Oreos are naturally dairy-free? It’s true, they’ve been vegan from the start. You can use them as an add-in in almost all of these recipes. But they’re perfect for this creamy, no-bake pie. The filling is made with coconut cream which gives this pie a delicious, creamy, firm base. 

3. Lemon Blueberry Dairy-Free Dessert Cake 

There is no butter, eggs, or milk in sight of this delicious healthy, lemon blueberry cake. It’s easy to make – everything goes in one bowl! To keep it completely dairy free, you’re going to need to use a vegan cream cheese frosting rather than regular cream cheese frosting. But it’s still a delicious topping for this sweet cake. 

4. Smores Icebox Cake

Marshmallows are another secretly vegan food item. This Smores Icebox Cake makes use of marshmallow fluff, gluten-free graham crackers, and dairy-free coco whip (whipped cream), and creates a soft, cool summertime treat. This is a great poolside treat for your kids if you have a kiddo with a dairy allergy that doesn’t want to be left out. 

5. Dad’s Favorite Chocolate Silk Pie

You may not think that a Chocolate Silk Pie can be good without dairy, but this recipe will prove you wrong. It’s got an amazing Oreo crust. The filling is made with dairy-free butter, Silk whipping cream, Coco Whip, and Enjoy Life chocolate. You will end up with a silky chocolatey slice of pie. 

6. The Best Rice Krispie Treats

Traditional rice krispie treats are made with butter, so all you have to do is use dairy-free butter, and all other ingredients can stay the same. No one will know these treats are dairy-free. As I said before, marshmallows are dairy-free so you can use any brand that you like. You can even get creative and add sprinkles or Enjoy Life chocolate chips to liven up these rice krispie treats. 

7. Healthy Strawberry Oatmeal Bars

These strawberry oatmeal bars are a great recipe if you’re just getting into dairy-free baking because you don’t need any unique ingredients. The only ingredient that you may not be used to buying is tapioca starch, and if you have corn starch, you can use that instead. These are fruity and delicious and make a great tea-time snack. 

8. The Best Ever Dairy-Free Key Lime Pie

Dairy-free key lime pie is the perfect recipe to use coconut milk in because we’re going for a tropical vibe with key lime anyways. Going dairy-free will just enhance the flavor. It’s got a gorgeous presentation, so whip it up for a ladies’ brunch or a summer afternoon potluck. 

9. Dairy-Free Dessert Brownie Trifle

We’re back to brownies because they’re so easy to make dairy-free, without sacrificing flavor. Chocolatey dairy-free brownie chunks are layered with a chocolate chia seed mouse and full-fat coconut whipped cream to make a gorgeous trifle. This is the dessert to wow your dinner guests with! The layers of flavor go together so well, no one will know it’s dairy-free. 

10. Dairy-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

Whoever in your household needs dairy-free options needs these dairy-free chocolate chip cookies. This is the one dessert no one should miss out on. Even without real butter, these are soft and chewy in the middle and crispy on the edges. It’s the perfect after-dinner dessert cap or even after-school snack. They’re absolutely delicious and packed full of chocolate chips. 

11. Chocolate Eclair Dairy-Free Dessert

The French would probably curse us for attempting to make eclairs dairy-free, but those of us with dairy allergies don’t want to miss out on the classic dessert pastry. This chocolate eclair dessert takes on the classic flavors in a cake/pudding style. Jell-O doesn’t use dried milk in their pudding mixes, so the French vanilla pudding mix is amazing in this dairy-free dessert. 

12. Layered Cheesecake Bars

I promise you can make these cheesecake bars without real cream cheese. There are so many alternatives available now, and they all give the right consistency and taste needed to make these cheesecake bars delicious. Daiya is a great brand to try out for cream cheese alternatives. With all the added flavors, you’ll be surprised at how much these taste like traditional cheesecake bars. 

13. Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Tiramisu

Tiramisu is another dessert that you make think is impossible to make dairy-free. How can you possibly have tiramisu without mascarpone cheese?! However, Tofutti makes an amazing dairy-free cream cheese that has a very similar texture to mascarpone. So if you’re in a dire situation, and are in need of a dairy-free tiramisu, this recipe will get you there. 

14. Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Tres Leches Cake

Tres Leches Cake is known for being decadent and rich. This dairy-free version will give you the same decadent cake – you won’t miss a thing! For the Tres Leches (three milks) it uses a blend of sweetened condensed coconut milk, soy milk, and a thick nut-based creamer. It’s frosted with a light coconut whipped cream which is the perfect topping for this rich cake. 

15. No-Bake Dairy-Free Dessert Lemon Cheesecake

A simple mixture of Cocowhip, lemon juice, Daiya cream cheese, and some powdered sugar will give you a fantastic no-bake dairy-free lemon cheesecake. It’s so simple, it’s almost too good to be true. But I assure you, it is true. It’s light and creamy. An amazing option for a hot summer night’s dessert. 

16. Vegan Churro Bites

The good thing about these churro bites is you don’t have to skip the cinnamon sugar coating to keep it dairy-free. You still get to enjoy that goodness. The churro batter features oil instead of butter and almond milk instead of cow’s milk. The caramel dipping sauce is made with brown sugar and dairy-free butter, so you still get all the traditional churro flavors. 

17. Vegan Banana Pudding

Like the French, Southern Moms would probably curse us for turning the classic banana pudding dairy-free. But this vegan alternative still showcases sliced bananas and vanilla wafers. The pudding is made with a mixture of almond milk and coconut milk, with tapioca starch to help it thicken. The pudding is smooth and creamy, and still the perfect pairing for bananas and wafers. 

18. Fruit Tart with Vanilla Cream

The vanilla cream is made with coconut oil, full-fat coconut milk, and rich maple syrup, so you’re not missing out on any flavors with this fruit tart. Top this with fresh, glazed berries and you get a beautiful, delicious dessert. This fruit tart would be a perfect addition to a 4th of July cookout. 

19. Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Dessert Oreo Truffles

Why not make cute chocolaty truffles with vegan Oreo cookies? All you need is Oreos, vegan white chocolate, and some sun butter, and you can have a poppable, bite-size dairy-free dessert. You can use peanut butter or any other nut butter, but sun butter is a sweet and creamy alternative. It’s a bit more runny than peanut butter, so it’s a great consistency when added to the truffles. 

20. Peanut Butter Coconut Bars

Not only are these peanut butter coconut bars dairy-free, but they’re vegan, gluten-free, and have no refined sugar. If you’re looking for a healthy, but decadent dessert, these are it. You just need to make sure your chocolate chips are vegan or dairy-free, and you’re good to go. 

21. Pistachio Seven Layer Bars (Vegan)

From the look of these bars, you wouldn’t guess that it’s only seven ingredients. The first layer is so simple – just graham crackers and vegan butter. And the rest of the layers are made up of sweetened condensed coconut milk, dairy-free chocolate chips, walnuts, pistachios, and coconut shavings. Such an easy dessert, and can be done in under 40 minutes. 

22. Dairy-Free Dessert Lemon Bars

These lemon bars aren’t vegan as the filling is made of eggs and sugar, but they are dairy-free. Dairy-free lemon bars are a great treat when you want something sweet but you don’t want to delve into chocolate. These are bright, fresh, and gooey- just what we want in a lemon bar! 

23. Dairy-Free Dessert Peanut Butter Pie

Of course, Peanut Butter Pie has to be on the list. It’s a classic, go-to dessert for potlucks. This peanut butter pie is low in sugar as well. It’s made with Swerve sugar alternative, so you can enjoy your dessert without the sugar spike. Peanut butter is such a strong flavor that you won’t miss the added sugar. 

24. Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Finally, some cookie dough that’s safe to eat and so easy to make. You only need six ingredients and about 8 minutes to whip up the whole batch. These are perfect for a late-night treat or an after-school snack. You could even store the cookie dough in the fridge and pop a bit into a protein smoothie if you’re feeling like you need a bit of fun in your morning.  

25. The Best Coconut Ice Cream

That peanut butter chocolate chip cookie dough would be an amazing add-in or topping for this dairy-free coconut ice cream. With four ingredients and an ice cream maker, you can have a creamy, dairy-free ice cream treat in 10 minutes. Serve it with the cookie dough, or some Enjoy Life chocolate chips. 

26. Stracciatella Vegan Gelato

I once worked in a gelato shop in Colorado, and stracciatella gelato was my absolute favorite to make and to eat. The sheets of chocolate with the creamy vanilla gelato are just heavenly. This vegan version offers the same traditional stracciatella gelato creaminess, with a hint of coconut from the full-fat coconut milk. It’s divine! 

I hope you enjoy your dive into dairy-free dessert baking. I know it can be just as delicious as long as you have the right ingredients. It can be fun to expand your baking repertoire, and this list of dairy-free recipes will have you hooked!

And I’ll leave you with a 27th recipe–Vegan Banana Pudding!