From Doughnuts to Layer Cakes, 15 Showstopping Dairy-Free Desserts for Ambitious Bakers

Baking can be a fun and creative way to spend your Saturday or Sunday, especially when you have the time to focus on projects requiring a little more patience and care. There’s something truly special about investing your time in a recipe that allows you to watch the transformation happen slowly, from dough to decadent masterpiece.

From rich, slow-baked bread with a beautifully crisp crust to delicate puff pastry that demands hours of folding and resting, these vegan baking projects might challenge your skills, but the results are always worth the wait. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just eager to try something new, these recipes will bring out your inner pastry chef. 

RELATED: 25 Egg-Free Cake Recipes for Birthdays and Beyond

What is vegan baking?

Vegan baking is the art of creating delicious treats without using any animal-derived ingredients, such as eggs, dairy, or honey. Instead, it relies on plant-based alternatives like dairy-free milk, flaxseeds, coconut oil, and plant-based butter to mimic the textures and flavors traditionally created by animal products. Vegan baking not only caters to those who follow a plant-based lifestyle, but but also offers a creative twist on classic recipes, proving that you can enjoy indulgent sweets without compromising on taste.

15 impressive vegan desserts 

As the weekend approaches, it’s the perfect time to set aside your usual routine and dive into the art of vegan baking. Not only will you fill your home with the sweet scent of fresh-baked treats, but you’ll also discover the joy of creating something special from scratch. So grab your apron, roll up your sleeves, and prepare for a challenge.

Carlo Cao

1Chocolate Croissants

Flaky, buttery, and packed with rich dark chocolate, these croissants are a true treat for the senses. Though the process spans two days, don’t worry—you’ll only spend about an hour actively working. With just seven ingredients, these croissants are fun to make and incredibly rewarding.
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Crumbs and Caramel

2 Baked Alaska

This baked Alaska is a stunning dessert. A dome of dairy-free vanilla ice cream and raspberry sorbet sits atop a vegan vanilla sponge cake, all wrapped in a fluffy egg-free meringue. Perfect for special occasions, this vegan classic is a showstopper even for small gatherings—and any leftovers can be stored in the freezer for a sweet treat later.
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Aimee Ryan

3 Classic English Battenberg Cake

This classic British dessert reveals a striking two-by-two checkered pattern of pink and yellow cake when sliced. From the Great British Vegan cookbook, this light sponge cake is made with sweet marmalade and comes together effortlessly, creating an eye-catching, Instagram-worthy treat.
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Addicted to Dates

4 Tiramisu Cheesecake

This no-bake tiramisu cheesecake features layers of creamy vanilla-rum-infused mascarpone and coffee-flavored cheesecake, all sitting atop a crumbly, no-bake biscuit base. A showstopping dessert, it combines the classic flavors of tiramisu with the rich, velvety texture of cheesecake—and it’s completely vegan.
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Kirsten Kaminski

5Marzipan Challah 

Don’t be daunted by challah—this recipe from Vegan Holiday Cooking is simpler than you might expect. With warm, freshly baked bread and homemade marzipan, the effort is worth it. The soft, sweet bread is a treat that’s sure to please everyone, no matter the occasion.
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Lazy Cat Kitchen

6Lemon Meringue Pie

This vegan lemon meringue pie is a twist on a classic favorite. The biggest challenge with making any lemon meringue pie, vegan or not, is the waiting time between each step, especially after the meringue is baked. It’s best enjoyed the same day, so be ready to bake and then eat.
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Vanessa K. Rees

7Chocolate Eclairs With Coconut Whipped Cream

With a rich vanilla bean custard, these doughy delights are the epitome of Parisian pastry perfection. This decadent chocolate-covered, cream-filled eclair recipe is from renowned vegan chef and cheesemaker Miyoko Schinner. The light, airy dough and luscious filling are a perfect balance of sweetness and texture, making them a showstopping treat for any occasion.
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Namely Marly

8Blueberry Danish

Some weekends are all about making something extra indulgent, like this vegan danish. This recipe boasts a crispy, buttery crust with a luscious berry filling, finished off with a dreamy vanilla-infused glaze.
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9Sweet Crêpe Cake With Grand Marnier-Infused Whipped Cream

This delightful creation, filled with fluffy whipped cream and sweet berries, makes for an impressive finish to any French meal. Light-as-air French crêpes form the layers of this dessert, nestled between sticky apricot jam, juicy slices of in-season fruit, and cloud-like coconut whipped cream.
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Pies and Tacos

10 Strawberry Macarons

These macarons are crafted using the traditional French method, resulting in delicate, crisp shells with a light, airy texture. Filled with a luscious vegan strawberry buttercream and sweet strawberry jam, they are a delightful treat that perfectly balance the crunchy exterior with the creamy, fruity filling. Vegan macarons may seem tricky to make, but with the right ingredients and a little patience, they’re an impressive dessert that’s both elegant and delicious.
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Connoisseurus Veg

11 Doughnuts

These soft, pillowy vegan doughnuts taste just like the ones from your favorite doughnut shop. Made with yeast-risen dough for that perfect airy texture and dipped in a sweet vanilla glaze, they’re the ultimate treat to satisfy your cravings. Whether enjoyed fresh out of the fryer or as a sweet morning snack, these bakery-style doughnuts will have you feeling like you’re indulging in a true doughnut shop experience at home.
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Ditte Isager

12  Pamela Anderson’s Favorite Cinnamon Rolls

At her home on Vancouver Island, Pamela Anderson begins her Sunday mornings with a sweet treat: her beloved cinnamon rolls. Freshly baked and still warm in their cast-iron pan, she brings them down to the end of the pier at her remodeled Ladysmith, BC home, where she enjoys the fluffy, sweet rolls with family and friends.
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Hannah Kaminsky

 

13  Super-Sized Fruity Vegan Pop Tart

Bigger is better when it comes to achieving the perfect balance of crust to filling in this pop tart recipe from The Everyday Vegan Cheat Sheet cookbook. This larger version lets you enjoy a bigger bite of gooey, jammy fruit preserves that wouldn’t fit in a classic hand pie. The icing is a key part of the nostalgic experience, and this vibrant pink, beet-colored glaze adds the perfect touch, delivering both sweetness and a pop of color that doesn’t disappoint.
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Nora Cooks

14Monkey Bread

This monkey bread is as fun to make as it is to devour. Each fluffy, gooey bite is coated in cinnamon brown sugar, making it irresistibly sweet and comforting. Topped with a luscious vanilla glaze, this treat offers the perfect combination of soft, pull-apart dough and sweet cinnamon flavor. Whether enjoyed for breakfast, as an afternoon snack, or as a sweet dessert, this vegan version of the classic is sure to be a hit with everyone.
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Sara Kidd

15Lemon Cake With Buttercream Frosting and Lemon Curd

This sweet and tangy lemon cake from The Vegan Cake Bible cookbook is elevated by a homemade lemon curd and rich, buttery frosting, giving it an impressive and indulgent touch. While it takes a little time and effort in the kitchen, the end result is worth it—a cake that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
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