51 Dairy-Free Desserts Perfect For Any Occasion

Updated on Sep. 20, 2024

These dairy-free desserts are so yummy, your friend and family won't even realize it's missing!

Chocolate-Dipped Strawberry Meringue Roses

Eat these dairy-free desserts as is or crush them into a bowl of strawberries. —Amy Tong, Anaheim, California

Go to Recipe

Did you know that one of our Test Kitchen’s favorite chocolate chip brands is dairy-free? Use it in any dairy-free dessert recipe that calls for chocolate.

1/51
2/51

Banana Bread Snack Cakes

Total Time 40 min
Servings 9 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This banana bread snack cake doesn’t need any frosting—just a dusting of powdered sugar. Guests are always amazed that I made this treat from scratch. —Denise Loewenthal, Hinckley, Ohio

3/51

German Apple Cake

Total Time 1 hour 10 min
Servings 16 servings
From the Recipe Creator: My mother made this German apple cake for my brothers and me when we were kids. It's an excellent choice for a Christmas potluck or actually any time of year. —Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah

4/51

Lemon Anise Biscotti

Total Time 1 hour 5 min
Servings 3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: With the growing popularity of gourmet coffees, cappuccino and espresso, I’m finding lots of people enjoy these classic Italian lemon biscotti. These are also great because they’re dairy-free! Perfect for enjoying with an oat milk latte! —Carrie Sherrill, Forestville, Wisconsin
5/51

Lemon Ice

Total Time 15 min
Servings 6 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This delicious sweet-tart lemon ice is a perfectly refreshing way to end a summer meal, or any meal, for that matter. It’s one of my favorite naturally dairy-free desserts. —Concetta Maranto Skenfield, Bakersfield, California
6/51

Rustic Cranberry Tarts

Total Time 35 min
Servings 2 tarts (6 servings each)
From the Recipe Creator: I like to serve colorful desserts for gatherings with family and friends. These beautiful tarts are filled with cranberry and citrus flavor, and they’re easy to make and serve. —Holly Bauer, West Bend, Wisconsin
7/51

Chewy Brownies

Total Time 35 min
Servings about 3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: Corn syrup helps keep these dairy-free brownies moist and fudgy. —Shiela Wood, Macksville, Kansas.
8/51

Cherry Biscochitos

Total Time 55 min
Servings 11 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: I discovered the wonderful anise flavor of biscochitos, which are traditional cookies of New Mexico. I created my own version with maraschino cherries and fresh cranberries. —Mary Shivers, Ada, Oklahoma
9/51

Fruit & Almond Bites

Total Time 40 min
Servings about 4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: With big handfuls of dried apricots and cherries, almonds and pistachios, we make dozens of no-bake treats you can take anywhere. —Donna Pochoday-Stelmach, Morristown, New Jersey
10/51

Mexican Cinnamon Cookies

Total Time 35 min
Servings 12 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: My extended family shares a meal every Sunday. The aunts and uncles take turns bringing everything from main dishes to desserts like this traditional Mexican cinnamon cookie called reganadas. —Adan Franco, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
11/51

Cranberry Zucchini Wedges

Total Time 45 min
Servings 2 cakes (8 pieces each)
From the Recipe Creator: I try to slip zucchini into as many dishes as possible. These cake wedges have wonderful flavor and a tender texture. They are pretty, too, with bits of pineapple, cranberries and zucchini. And they’re perfect for brunch.—Redawna Kalynchuk, Sexsmith, Alberta
12/51

Jelly-Topped Sugar Cookies

Total Time 30 min
Servings about 3-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: On busy days, I appreciate this quick-to-make jelly-topped cookie. Top each sugar cookie with your favorite flavor of jam or jelly. —June Quinn, Kalamazoo, Michigan
13/51

Lime & Gin Coconut Macaroons

Total Time 35 min
Servings about 2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: I took these lime and coconut macaroons to our annual cookie exchange, where we name a queen. I won the crown! —Milissa Kirkpatrick, Angel Fire, New Mexico
14/51

Jewish Apple Cake

Total Time 1 hour 10 min
Servings 16 servings
From the Recipe Creator: A friend from New Hampshire gave me this Jewish apple cake recipe, which took a blue ribbon at the county fair. —Jennie Wilburn, Long Creek, Oregon
15/51

Mexican Chocolate Walnut-Cherry Biscotti

Total Time 1 hour 20 min
Servings about 2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: I love to combine flavors and spices from different cultures. These cookies have ground cinnamon in them, which is a classic flavor in Mexican chocolate. They are very crunchy and are loaded with maraschino cherries and toasted walnuts. —Nancy C. Evans, Phoenix, Arizona
16/51

Almond Ginger Cookies

Total Time 45 min
Servings about 3-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: Think outside the box this season and enjoy these traditional Chinese cookies, each one topped with an almond slice. —Shirley Warren, Thiensville, Wisconsin
17/51

Pecan Banana Bundt Cake

Total Time 55 min
Servings 16 servings
From the Recipe Creator: My daughter, Liz, often made this banana bundt cake for us. It was delicious and different. She discovered five-spice powder during a culinary class field trip. It’s also one of our family’s go-to dairy-free desserts. —Marina Castle Kelley, Canyon Country, California
18/51

Crispy Coffee Cookies

Total Time 35 min
Servings about 5 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: I created this recipe because I wanted an easy-to-make cookie that folks can't resist. These tempting treats have a hint of coffee flavor and aren't overly sweet.

19/51

Pear Cake

Total Time 1 hour 15 min
Servings 16 servings
From the Recipe Creator: When pears are in season, I love to make this family favorite. It's moist and keeps well, and makes a wonderful dessert as well as a breakfast or brunch cake.

20/51

Joe Froggers

Total Time 30 min
Servings 1-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: Large, soft and chewy, these cookies are made to munch. This classic recipe has a warm blend of spices that seems stronger the second day. Your family will definitely ask you to make them again. This is an old-fashioned recipe and a great dairy-free dessert. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
21/51

Cinnamon-Cranberry Oat Bars

Total Time 20 min
Servings 16 servings
From the Recipe Creator: I'm a swim coach for kids, and I started making these bars for them as a snack. I wanted something that was easy to eat but would also give them energy. The kids loved them from the very first time I brought them. Now I bring them to every team event. —Sarah Riviere, Prescott, Arizona
22/51

Harveys Coconut Macaroons

Total Time 30 min
Servings about 4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: As the executive chef at Harveys, a resort hotel in Lake Tahoe, I modified this classic recipe, which originated a century ago at a renowned pastry shop in Vienna, Austria. Besides being delcious, macaroons of all kinds make for great dairy-free desserts. —Norbert Koblitz, Lake Tahoe, Nevada
23/51

Black Bean Brownies

Total Time 35 min
Servings 1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: You’d never guess these rich, velvety chocolate treats contain a can of black beans. This is at the top of my list of healthy-ish, dairy-free desserts. —Kathy Hewitt, Cranston, Rhode Island
24/51

Chunky Apple-Cinnamon Cake

Total Time 1 hour 10 min
Servings 15 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This is a nice change from apple pie. It's tasty and worthy of a special occasion—plus, it’s very easy to make. —Ellen Ruzinsky, Yorktown Heights, New York
25/51

Apricot-Pecan Thumbprint Cookies

Total Time 55 min
Servings about 7 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: I enjoy experimenting with cake mixes to make new cookie recipes. I love apricot, but feel free to fill the thumbprint in the center of these goodies with any fruit preserve you like. —Nancy Johnson, Laverne, Oklahoma
26/51

Jewish Chocolate Chip Mandel Bread

Total Time 40 min
Servings 12 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This traditional Jewish mandel bread recipe has been passed down in my family for four generations. It tastes wonderful with a cup of coffee, hot cocoa or milk. —Monica Schnapp, Irvine, California
27/51

Grilled Stone Fruits with Balsamic Syrup

Total Time 20 min
Servings 4 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Get ready to experience another side of stone fruits. Hot off the rack, these grilled nectarines practically melt in your mouth. —Sonya Labbe, West Hollywood, California
28/51

Citrus Mini Cakes

Total Time 25 min
Servings about 6 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: These moist, bite-size muffins from Linda Terrell of Palatka, Florida are melt-in-your-mouth good. “With their appealing look, they really dress up a party table,” she notes. The recipe makes a big batch, so there’s plenty to please a crowd.
29/51

Hazelnut Cake Squares

Total Time 35 min
Servings 15 servings
From the Recipe Creator: When one of my daughters is asked to bring a dish to a church function, a birthday party or any special occasion, she asks me for this recipe. It is so easy to prepare because it starts with a cake mix. It doesn’t need icing, so it’s great for bake sales too. —Brenda Melancon, McComb, Mississippi
30/51

Chocolate Macadamia Macaroons

Total Time 35 min
Servings 1-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: This perfect macaroon has dark chocolate, chewy coconut and macadamia nuts and is dipped in chocolate—sinful and delicious! —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
31/51

Strawberry Citrus Ice

Total Time 15 min
Servings about 3-1/2 cups
From the Recipe Creator: Daiquiri fans, put away your straws for this blend of strawberries, lime juice and orange juice in a refreshing ice. This is a great sweet for everyone: This citrus ice is one of my favorite vegan and dairy-free desserts. — Robin M. Keane, Framingham, Massachusetts
32/51

3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

Total Time 30 min
Servings 2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: It is amazing how much flavor is in these simple 3-ingredient peanut butter cookies without brown sugar. I make them very often because I always have the ingredients on hand. —Maggie Schimmel, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
33/51

Ginger Plum Tart

Total Time 35 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Sweet cravings, begone: This free-form plum tart is done in only 35 minutes. It’s extra awesome when served warm. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
34/51

Gingersnap Cookies

Total Time 35 min
Servings 3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: A classic New England cookie, gingersnaps are now universal. My grandma kept two cookie jars in her pantry. One always had these crisp and chewy gingersnaps in it. They’re still my favorite cookie. My daughter, Becky, won a blue ribbon for this recipe at a 4-H fair. —Deb Handy, Pomona, Kansas
35/51

Oreos and Candy Cane Chocolate Bark

Total Time 15 min
Servings about 1-1/2 lbs
From the Recipe Creator: There are incredible surprises in this festive bark, including dark chocolate, candy canes and cream-filled cookies. We keep a big supply ready for gift-giving. —Robin Turner, Lake Elsinore, California
36/51

Walnut Honey Cake

Total Time 55 min
Servings 15 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This light and fluffy marvel all but melts in your mouth. Back in the day, it took effort for my grandmother's kitchen helper to make it, but it's a breeze now that we have stand mixers. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia
37/51

Festive Meringue Cookies

Total Time 35 hours 55 min
Servings about 2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: Try these meringue cookies without cream of tartar! These festive treats sparkle not only during the holidays but for other occasions year-round. Use colored sugar or food coloring to change things up. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
38/51

Raspberry Patch Crumb Bars

Total Time 1 hour 5 min
Servings 2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: To give these fresh, fruity bars even more crunch, add a sprinkling of nuts to the yummy crumb topping. Everyone will want to indulge. —Leanna M. Thorne, Lakewood, Colorado
39/51

No-Bake Cookie Butter Blossoms

Total Time 25 min
Servings about 2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: Chewy and sweet, these easy treats mix Rice Krispies, cookie spread and chocolate kisses in an unforgettable spin on an old favorite. —Jessie Sarrazin, Livingston, Montana
40/51

Mango Rice Pudding

Total Time 55 min
Servings 4 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Mangoes are my son's favorite fruit, so I was ecstatic to incorporate them into a healthy dessert. You can also use ripe bananas instead of mango, almond extract instead of vanilla or regular milk in place of soy. —Melissa McCabe, Victor, New York
41/51

Swedish Apple Pie

Total Time 40 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This decadent Swedish apple pie serves up homemade flavor in every bite. This is a perfect snack with coffee or as an after-dinner treat. —Sarah Klier, Grand Rapids, Michigan

If you’re looking for some dairy-free dessert options, try this dairy-free pumpkin pie, just one ingredient swap transforms this traditional dessert into a rich and decadent dairy-free sweet treat.

42/51

Honeydew Granita

Total Time 15 min
Servings 5-1/2 cups
From the Recipe Creator: Make this refreshing summer treat when melons are ripe and flavorful. I like to garnish each serving with a sprig of mint or a small slice of honeydew. —Bonnie Hawkins, Elkhorn, Wisconsin
43/51

Pear Bundt Cake

Total Time 1 hour 5 min
Servings 16 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Next time you make cake from a mix, try my easy and delicious recipe. The pears and syrup add sweet flavor and prevent the cake from drying out. And since there’s no oil added to the batter, this tender fall-perfect cake is surprisingly low in fat. —Veronica Ross, Columbia Heights, Minnesota
44/51

Honey Cinnamon Bars

Total Time 35 min
Servings 2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: My Aunt Ellie gave us the recipe for these sweet bar cookies with cinnamon and walnuts. Drizzle with icing, and serve with coffee or tea. —Diane Myers, Star, Idaho
45/51

Vegan Gingerbread Cookies

Total Time 50 min
Servings about 1-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: It's so much fun to decorate cookies with children's help. We created gingery moose-shaped cookies to go with a book made especially for my niece's third-grade class. The crispy vegan gingerbread cookies stole the show. —Jenet Cattar, Neptune Beach, Florida

46/51

Old-Fashioned Rhubarb Torte

Total Time 55 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Rhubarb is probably one of the hardiest plants, especially in northern states like mine. It has a tart taste to it, which we really enjoy in our family. Every time I've served this rhubarb torte to someone who's never had it before, I wind up writing out the recipe for them—and it's my pleasure to share it! -Katherine Kambach, Selby, South Dakota

47/51

Triple Fruit Freeze

Total Time 20 min
Servings 10 pops
From the Recipe Creator: These pops won't turn your tongue blue or neon green like many store-bought pops because they're made with fresh grapes, blueberries and kiwifruit. —Colleen Ludovice, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
48/51

Coconut Banana Cookies

Total Time 35 min
Servings about 1-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: This is a springtime variation on my grandma's banana drop cookies and, with tons of coconut flavor, it's perfect for Easter. —Elyse Benner, Solon, Ohio
49/51

Strawberry-Rhubarb Upside-Down Cake

Total Time 55 min
Servings 12 servings
From the Recipe Creator: I prepare this colorful dessert quite often in the late spring or summer when fresh rhubarb is abundant. I make this rhubarb cake with cake mix and take it to church potlucks. People actually line up for a piece. —Bonnie Krogman, Thompson Falls, Montana
50/51

Oatmeal Coconut Cookies

Total Time 50 min
Servings about 3-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: When my two daughters were young, their great-grandma made them coconut cookies with oats. Thankfully, she shared the recipe. —Debra Dorn, Dunnellon, Florida
51/51

Homemade Butterfinger Bites

Total Time 30 min
Servings about 4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: Bent on using up a stash of leftover candy corn, I decided to experiment. Turns out, if you melt it, mix it with peanut butter and coat the balls with chocolate, you get a softer, denser version of a Butterfinger bite. Who knew? They’re delicious! —Melissa Hansen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin