10 Easy Vegan Thanksgiving Desserts Recipe
Vegan Thanksgiving desserts are plant-based sweets made without animal products like eggs, dairy, or honey. They include pies, cakes, bars, and cookies crafted with wholesome ingredients, delivering the same festive indulgence everyone loves at the holiday table.
10 Easy Vegan Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes
1. Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake
Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake blends creamy cashew-based filling with warm pumpkin spice on a nutty crust. It is a dairy-free holiday showstopper that satisfies every guest, making it a must-have centerpiece for any vegan Thanksgiving celebration.
Ingredients (4 Servings)
To make Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake, you will need the following fresh, plant-based ingredients for a perfectly creamy and spiced holiday dessert:
- 1 cup raw cashews, soaked overnight
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp pumpkin spice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 cup dates (for crust)
- 1 cup pecans (for crust)
Method
To make Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake, follow the steps below for a smooth, creamy, and perfectly spiced dessert that will impress every guest:
- Blend dates and pecans into a sticky crust; press into a pan and refrigerate.
- Drain cashews and blend with pumpkin puree, maple syrup, spice, vanilla, and coconut oil until silky.
- Pour filling over crust and smooth the top evenly.
- Freeze for 4 hours until firm, then slice and serve chilled.
2. Apple Crisp with Oat Crumble Topping
Apple Crisp with Oat Crumble Topping is a warm, comforting vegan dessert bursting with cinnamon-spiced apples beneath a golden oat crumble. It is naturally dairy-free, budget-friendly, and one of the simplest crowd-pleasing Thanksgiving desserts you can bake.
Ingredients (4 Servings)
To make Apple Crisp with Oat Crumble Topping, you will need the following wholesome ingredients for a golden, bubbling, and irresistibly spiced vegan dessert:
- 4 medium apples, peeled and sliced
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 3 tbsp coconut oil, melted
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
Method
To make Apple Crisp with Oat Crumble Topping, follow the steps for a bubbling, golden, sweet and spiced holiday dessert everyone will love:
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Toss apple slices with maple syrup, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Spread apples evenly in a greased baking dish.
- Mix oats, coconut oil, brown sugar, and salt; sprinkle over apples.
- Bake 35 minutes until topping is golden and apples are tender. Serve warm.
3. Pecan Pie Bars
Pecan Pie Bars are chewy, caramel-rich vegan treats with a buttery shortbread base and a gooey pecan topping made without corn syrup or eggs. They deliver all the classic Thanksgiving pecan pie flavor in convenient, shareable bar form.
Ingredients (4 Servings)
To make Pecan Pie Bars, you will need the following simple plant-based ingredients for sticky, caramel-rich bars with an irresistible golden pecan topping:
- 1 cup flour
- 3 tbsp coconut oil
- 2 tbsp maple syrup (for crust)
- 1.5 cups pecans, roughly chopped
- 1/3 cup maple syrup (for filling)
- 2 tbsp coconut cream
- 1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 3 tbsp water (flax egg)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
Method
To make Pecan Pie Bars, follow the steps carefully to achieve a perfectly set, gooey, and golden pecan filling on a tender vegan shortbread crust:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix flour, coconut oil, and maple syrup; press into lined baking pan.
- Bake crust 12 minutes until lightly golden, then remove from oven.
- Mix flax egg, maple syrup, coconut cream, vanilla, and pecans; pour over crust.
- Bake 20 more minutes. Cool completely before cutting into bars.
4. Vegan Chocolate Cream Pie
Vegan Chocolate Cream Pie features a silky, rich chocolate filling made from coconut cream and dark chocolate in a simple cookie crust. This indulgent dairy-free dessert is the ultimate Thanksgiving treat for chocolate lovers at your holiday table.
Ingredients (4 Servings)
To make Vegan Chocolate Cream Pie, you will need the following decadent dairy-free ingredients for a velvety, deeply chocolatey filling inside a crisp cookie crust:
- 1.5 cups vegan chocolate cookies, crushed
- 3 tbsp coconut oil (for crust)
- 1.5 cups coconut cream
- 1 cup dark vegan chocolate chips
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Coconut whipped cream to serve
Method
To make Vegan Chocolate Cream Pie, follow the steps below for a luxurious, smooth, and deeply chocolatey dairy-free pie that sets beautifully when chilled:
- Mix crushed cookies with melted coconut oil; press into a pie dish and refrigerate.
- Heat coconut cream until hot, then pour over chocolate chips and stir until smooth.
- Add maple syrup, vanilla, and salt to the ganache; mix well.
- Pour filling into crust and refrigerate 4 hours until firm. Top with coconut cream.
5. Sweet Potato Pie
Sweet Potato Pie is a smooth, naturally sweet vegan dessert spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, poured into a flaky plant-based crust. Its vibrant color and warming flavors make it a cherished Thanksgiving staple that is completely egg and dairy free.
Ingredients (4 Servings)
To make Sweet Potato Pie, you will need the following naturally sweet and warming plant-based ingredients for a smooth, perfectly spiced vegan holiday pie:
- 2 cups mashed sweet potato
- 1/2 cup coconut cream
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 vegan pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
Method
To make Sweet Potato Pie, follow the steps below for a silky smooth filling that bakes up beautifully in a golden vegan crust every time:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Blend mashed sweet potato with all filling ingredients until smooth.
- Roll out and fit your vegan pie crust into a pie dish; crimp edges.
- Pour sweet potato filling into the crust and smooth the surface.
- Bake 50 minutes until set. Cool fully before slicing and serving.
Stress-Free Vegan Holidays
Preparing vegan Thanksgiving desserts does not have to be complicated. Most of these recipes can be made one or two days in advance, saving you precious time on the big day. Store pies and cheesecakes in the refrigerator and crisp toppings at room temperature, then assemble before serving for fresh, stunning results with minimal last-minute effort.
6. Vegan Pumpkin Cookies with Maple Glaze
Vegan Pumpkin Cookies with Maple Glaze are soft, pillowy spiced cookies drizzled with a sweet maple glaze. Made without eggs or butter, these festive treats are easy to bake in batches, making them a perfect Thanksgiving shareable dessert or edible holiday gift.
Ingredients (4 Servings)
To make Vegan Pumpkin Cookies with Maple Glaze, you will need the following cozy, spiced plant-based ingredients for soft, pillowy cookies with a glossy maple drizzle:
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1.5 cups flour
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1 tsp pumpkin spice
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
- 2 tbsp maple syrup (for glaze)
Method
To make Vegan Pumpkin Cookies with Maple Glaze, follow the steps below for perfectly soft, spiced cookies finished with a beautiful sweet and glossy maple topping:
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Mix pumpkin, coconut oil, and sugar until combined.
- Stir in flour, pumpkin spice, and baking soda until a soft dough forms.
- Scoop onto lined baking sheet and bake 13 minutes until set.
- Whisk powdered sugar and maple syrup; drizzle over cooled cookies.
7. Cranberry Oatmeal Bars
Cranberry Oatmeal Bars are chewy, tangy-sweet vegan bars with a buttery oat base and a vibrant cranberry jam filling. They celebrate seasonal Thanksgiving flavors beautifully and are completely free from dairy and eggs, making them a colorful and wholesome crowd pleaser.
Ingredients (4 Servings)
To make Cranberry Oatmeal Bars, you will need the following seasonal, plant-based ingredients for a chewy oat base paired with a jewel-bright, tangy cranberry filling:
- 1.5 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup flour
- 1/3 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1.5 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- 3 tbsp maple syrup (for filling)
Method
To make Cranberry Oatmeal Bars, follow the steps below to layer a golden oat crust with a tart cranberry filling for a perfectly balanced and festive bar:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Simmer cranberries with maple syrup until thick jam forms; set aside.
- Mix oats, flour, coconut oil, maple syrup, cinnamon, and salt to form a crumbly dough.
- Press two-thirds of oat mixture into a lined pan; spread cranberry filling evenly.
- Crumble remaining oat mixture on top. Bake 30 minutes until golden. Cool then slice.
8. Vegan Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Vegan Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a moist, warmly spiced cake topped with luscious cashew-based frosting. It is entirely plant-based yet incredibly rich and festive, making it one of the most impressive vegan Thanksgiving desserts you can bring to the table.
Ingredients (4 Servings)
To make Vegan Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting, you will need the following plant-based ingredients for a beautifully moist, spiced cake with a tangy, creamy cashew frosting:
- 1.5 cups grated carrots
- 1.5 cups flour
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar
- 1/3 cup coconut oil
- 1 flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed + 3 tbsp water)
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1 cup cashews soaked (for frosting)
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
Method
To make Vegan Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting, follow the steps to bake a tender spiced cake and top it with a silky plant-based cream cheese frosting:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix flax egg, coconut oil, and sugar, then fold in carrots.
- Add flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg; stir until a smooth batter forms.
- Bake in greased pan for 35 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
- Blend soaked cashews, lemon juice, and maple syrup until silky; frost the cooled cake.
9. Chocolate Pecan Pie
Chocolate Pecan Pie is a decadent vegan twist on a Thanksgiving classic, combining rich dark chocolate with a gooey maple-sweetened pecan filling in a flaky dairy-free crust. It is the ultimate indulgence for holiday tables and guaranteed to impress non-vegan guests too.
Ingredients (4 Servings)
To make Chocolate Pecan Pie, you will need the following rich, plant-based ingredients for a gloriously gooey, dark chocolate and maple pecan filling in a flaky vegan crust:
- 1 vegan pie crust
- 1.5 cups whole pecans
- 3/4 cup dark vegan chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup coconut cream
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of sea salt
Method
To make Chocolate Pecan Pie, follow the steps below for a deeply rich, gooey chocolate and pecan filling that bakes up perfectly inside a golden vegan pastry crust:
- Preheat oven to 350°F and fit vegan crust into pie dish; crimp edges.
- Melt chocolate chips with coconut cream; whisk in maple syrup, cornstarch, and vanilla.
- Fold in pecans and pour filling into the prepared crust.
- Bake 40 minutes until filling is set. Cool completely before slicing.
10. No-Bake Pumpkin Pie Cups
No-Bake Pumpkin Pie Cups are quick, creamy individual vegan desserts with a date-nut crust and a spiced pumpkin coconut filling. They require zero oven time, making them ideal for stress-free Thanksgiving prep and a fun, elegant way to serve vegan seasonal desserts.
Ingredients (4 Servings)
To make No-Bake Pumpkin Pie Cups, you will need the following simple, plant-based ingredients for creamy, individually portioned pumpkin dessert cups requiring no oven at all:
- 1 cup Medjool dates, pitted
- 1 cup walnuts
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 3/4 cup coconut cream
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp pumpkin spice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Method
To make No-Bake Pumpkin Pie Cups, follow the steps below for effortless, chilled individual cups packed with creamy spiced pumpkin flavor and a satisfying nutty crust base:
- Blend dates and walnuts until sticky; press evenly into the bottom of 4 serving cups.
- Blend pumpkin puree, coconut cream, maple syrup, pumpkin spice, and vanilla until silky.
- Pour filling over the crust layer in each cup; smooth tops.
- Refrigerate 2 hours until firm. Serve chilled with a dusting of cinnamon.
Bonus Tips for Serving Vegan Thanksgiving Desserts
Make ahead: Most of these recipes can be prepared 1–2 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator, so you can enjoy your Thanksgiving gathering stress-free.
Label your desserts: Place small cards noting that items are vegan — guests with dietary restrictions will appreciate the transparency and feel genuinely included.
Serve with vegan whipped cream: A bowl of coconut whipped cream alongside pies and bars elevates every dessert and makes the presentation feel extra festive.
Temperature matters: Serve pies and cheesecakes cold, warm crisps and cookies fresh, and let bars cool completely before cutting for the cleanest, most beautiful slices.
FAQ: Vegan Thanksgiving Desserts
Flax eggs (1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 3 tbsp water), chia eggs, applesauce, and mashed banana are excellent egg replacers that bind and add moisture in baked vegan desserts.
Yes! Substitute all-purpose flour with certified gluten-free oat flour or a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. Most of these recipes adapt easily without losing texture or flavor.
Most pies, bars, and cheesecakes can be made 1–2 days ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Cookies are best baked the day before to preserve their soft, fresh texture.
Not at all! Ingredients like coconut cream, cashews, dark chocolate, and maple syrup create deeply rich, indulgent flavors and creamy textures that rival any traditional dairy-based dessert.
Many store-bought pie crusts are vegan — check the label for no butter or lard. You can also make a simple vegan crust using flour, coconut oil, cold water, and a pinch of salt.
Conclusion: Your Table, Your Twist
These 10 easy vegan Thanksgiving desserts prove that plant-based holiday baking is anything but boring. From the creamy Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake to the effortless No-Bake Pumpkin Pie Cups, every recipe is crafted to deliver maximum festive flavor with minimal fuss. Whether you are an experienced vegan baker or simply looking to offer more inclusive options at your Thanksgiving table, these desserts are guaranteed to delight every guest — vegan or not. Bookmark your favorites, plan ahead, and make this holiday season the most delicious one yet. Your plant-based Thanksgiving table is waiting.
