Hello, wonderful readers, lets chat Vegan Christmas Desserts today!
The holiday season is upon us, and that means it’s time to indulge in some delightful sweet treats. Whether you’re a seasoned vegan or just exploring plant-based options, there’s no need to miss out on the joy of holiday baking. In this blog post, we’ll explore 29 classic holiday recipes and provide you with tips on how to create vegan versions that are just as delicious.
So, let’s dive into the festive world of vegan holiday baking!
Vegan Holiday: Sweet Treats
Today I’m going to show you how easy it is to spend the holidays as a vegan. Yes, seriously. The goal for my vegan content is to help you never miss out on a thing. So here we go.
- Sugar Cookies
- Gingerbread Cookies
- Peppermint Bark
- Fudge
- Pumpkin Pie
- Apple Pie
- Pecan Pie
- Shortbread Cookies
- Truffles
- Linzer Cookies
- Snickerdoodles
- PSL
- Cinnamon Rolls
- Cheesecake
- Cranberry Bread
- Cupcakes
- Snowball Cookies
- Yule Log
- Fruitcake
- Peppermint Brownies
- Biscotti
- Thumbprint Cookies
- Hot Cocoa
- Rice Crispy Treats
- Puppy chow
- Donuts
- Holiday granola
- Candy Cookies
- Nog French Toast
1 – Sugar Cookies:
The first Vegan Christmas Dessert recipe is an absolute classic sweet treat for the holidays. Sugar Cookies! And yes indeed, these are super easy to veganize. Grab your cookie cutters and turn on Home Alone for some background noise.
How to Veganize it: For a vegan version of classic sugar cookies, substitute butter with plant-based margarine or coconut oil, and use a flax or chia egg or another egg substitute as a binder. Check out this Vegan Sugar Cookies Recipe.
2 – Gingerbread Cookies:
How to Veganize it: Make vegan gingerbread cookies by swapping out dairy butter for vegan butter and using molasses as a sweetener. Try this Vegan Gingerbread Cookies Recipe.
3 – Peppermint Bark:
How to Veganize it: Create a dairy-free peppermint bark by using vegan white chocolate and dark chocolate. Crush candy canes are often vegan-friendly.
I personally prefer to make a nut and fruit style bark over the holidays, but you can play around with both! Check out this Vegan Bark Recipe.
4 – Fudge:
How to Veganize it: Next on the list of Vegan Christmas Desserts, fudge!
Opt for a creamy vegan fudge using coconut milk or condensed coconut milk and dairy-free chocolate. You can even use nuts and I have seen some tofu and bean fudge recipes as well. Fudge is basically very soft chocolate. It’s sweet and cozy.
I actually do not have a holiday fudge recipe here on the blog yet so here is one.. Here’s a delightful Vegan Fudge Recipe to try from Rainbow Plant Life.
5 – Classic Pumpkin Pie:
How to Veganize it: Enjoy a vegan twist on classic pumpkin pie by using coconut milk or cashew cream or whole cashews instead of dairy. I love using vegan cream cheese in place of traditional dairy milk in pumpkin pie. And for the egg, the pumpkin does well, or you can toss in a vegan egg. So many replacement options for vegan eggs!
Try this Vegan Pumpkin Pie Recipe.
6 – Apple Pie:
How to Veganize it: So easy to veganize this recipe! Basically, apple pie is all about the apples and butter. So, boom, use vegan butter instead.
For a vegan apple pie, use plant-based margarine or coconut oil for the crust, and ensure the apple filling is free from dairy. All the apple pie spices are already vegan. Check out this Vegan Apple Pie Recipe.
7 – Pecan Pie:
How to Veganize it: Make a vegan pecan pie by substituting corn syrup with maple syrup or agave nectar. Use a vegan egg replacer like JUST Egg for the best gooey texture, gone vegan. Here’s a tasty Vegan Pecan Pie Recipe for you.
8 – Shortbread Cookies:
How to Veganize it: Vegan shortbread cookies are easy to achieve by using plant-based butter. This Vegan Shortbread Cookies Recipe by Nora Cooks is a must-try.
9 – Chocolate Truffles:
How to Veganize it: Indulge in vegan chocolate truffles by using dairy-free chocolate and coconut cream. Or use nutty filling using nut butter and blended nuTry this decadent Vegan Chocolate Truffles Recipe.
10 – Linzer Cookies:
How to Veganize it: Make vegan linzer cookies with plant-based butter and your favorite dairy-free jam. Here’s a delightful Vegan Linzer Cookies Recipe.
11 – Snickerdoodles:
How to Veganize it: Enjoy egg-free snickerdoodles by using applesauce or a flax egg. Try this Vegan Snickerdoodles Recipe for a cinnamon-sugar delight.
12 – Pumpkin Spice Latte:
How to Veganize it: Create a vegan pumpkin spice latte using plant-based milk and pumpkin puree. You can use dairy-free whip and all the traditional PSL spices. Check out this Vegan Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe.
13 – Cinnamon Rolls:
How to Veganize it: Make gooey vegan cinnamon rolls with dairy-free butter and plant-based milk. Try this Vegan Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls Recipe.
14 – Eggnog Cheesecake:
How to Veganize it: Indulge in a vegan eggnog cheesecake using dairy-free cream cheese and coconut cream. Here’s a delectable Vegan Eggnog Cheesecake Recipe from Susan of FFVK. Or check out my vegan cheesecake using chocolate chips.
15 – Cranberry Orange Bread:
How to Veganize it: Bake a vegan cranberry orange bread by using plant-based butter and non-dairy milk. Try this Vegan Cranberry Bread Recipe.
You can also check out my pumpkin loaf.
16 – Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes:
How to Veganize it: Make vegan chocolate peppermint cupcakes with dairy-free chocolate and peppermint extract. Check out this Vegan Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes Recipe from my friend Sam over at IDTLC.
17 – Snowball Cookies:
How to Veganize it: Veganize classic snowball cookies by using plant-based butter and powdered sugar. These traditional-gone-vegan Pfefferneuse cookies are probably my most favorite to make every year for friends and family. They look so pretty and taste like the holidays.
Try this Vegan Snowball Cookies Recipe.
18 – Yule Log (Bûche de Noël):
How to Veganize it: Create a vegan Yule log by using a dairy-free sponge cake and plant-based cream. Here’s a Vegan Yule Log Recipe to impress your guests – made by Baked by Clo. ps. I actually have made several yule logs but have never posted my recipe. I will have to get on that because this recipe is so fun to make!!
19 – Fruitcake:
How to Veganize it: Veganize fruitcake by using vegetable oil instead of butter and ensuring the dried fruits are free from added dairy. Try this Vegan Fruitcake Recipe by my friend Melanie of A Virtual Vegan.
Moving along on my Vegan Christmas Desserts…
20 – Candy Cane Brownies:
How to Veganize it: Make festive vegan candy cane brownies using a dairy-free brownie mix and crushed vegan candy canes. Check out this Vegan Candy Cane Brownies Recipe by my friend Caitlin.
And if you want to make my brownies and add some candy canes on top, go for it. My recipe is here.
21 – Biscotti:
How to Veganize it: Enjoy vegan biscotti by using plant-based butter or oil. Here’s a delicious Vegan Biscotti Recipe for your coffee or tea.
22 – Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies:
How to Veganize it: Create vegan peanut butter thumbprint cookies using plant-based butter and your favorite jam or chocolate candies. In the image below, I made my own “kisses” by using mini funnels and adding melted chocolate. It was a lot of work, but fun to try at least once! You could use broken chocolate pieces or chocolate chips for ease.
Try this Vegan Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies Recipe.
23 – Hot Cocoa:
How to Veganize it: Make a cozy vegan hot cocoa by using plant-based milk and dairy-free chocolate. I am also in love with Dandies vegan marshmallows and the many vegan whipped cream options in stores these days. You can DIY cocoa mix by using sweetener and cocoa powder, or look for a brand that is dairy-free.
You can also make a cocoa mix for gifting!
And if you want a match version: candy cane matcha latte
Check out this Vegan Hot Cocoa Recipe.
24 – Rice Crispy Treats:
How to Veganize it: Veganize classic rice crispy treats by using vegan marshmallows and plant-based butter. Try this Vegan Rice Crispy Treats Recipe.
And for a flashback video, watch Whitney, Cobi and I make these rice crispy treats.
25 – Puppy Chow:
How to Veganize it: Enjoy a vegan version of puppy chow by using dairy-free chocolate and plant-based butter. Here’s a Vegan Puppy Chow Recipe by Six Vegan Sisters, for a delightful snack.
26 – Powdered Donuts:
These snowy-looking treats are a must-have for cozy cocoa mornings. Easily veganize them with a vegan donut recipe – baked – and also some vegan powdered sugar. Vegan sugar is any sugar labeled organic! Pretty cool fun fact for you. Make vegan powdered sugar donuts. And if you want another holiday donut spin, try apple cider donuts.
27 – Holiday Granola
Wonderful for gifting or making for your own family, this holiday granola will make your kitchen smell like the dreamiest holiday moment ever. Spice and vanilla and nutty aromas. Make my holiday granola.
28 – “M&M” Cookies
I had to add these to the list because they are a family fave. I remember scooping up handfuls of these cookies at church or school holiday bake sales as a kid! So lets veganize them. Easy! Just swap out M&Ms with a vegan version of chocolate candy. We use UNREAL. Try this vegan recipe for candy cookies.
29 – Nog French Toast
This easy and cozy breakfast recipe can easily be made by soaking bread in vegan nog. Get the recipe: Holiday Nog French Toast. Or try the super easy: Casserole version.
So there you have it – 29 veganized sweet treats to make your holiday season extra special. Embrace the joy of vegan baking and share these delicious treats with your loved ones. Wishing you a sweet and compassionate holiday season!
And as you nibble, try this list of my fave holiday movies paired with vegan treats!
