31 Dairy-Free Recipes That Prove You CAN Enjoy Dessert Without Milk Or Butter
Here at Delish, we’re all about supporting those following special diets. Keto? We got you. Vegan? No problem. Sugar-free? We’re on top of it. So when it came to curating a list of the best dairy-free desserts, we knew we couldn’t just put fruit salad on here and call it a day. Whether you’re avoiding dairy because you’re lactose-intolerant, are vegan, or just can’t get through a whole gallon of milk on your own before it goes bad (hello, us too!), we’ve got a delicious recipe for you. We’ve got everything from cookies to cakes, nibbly snacks to frozen desserts, and more. Check out our list of 31 dairy-free desserts—they’re just as sweet without milk or butter.
There are a few reasons you might be looking for a dairy-free recipe: Some statistics say that over 65% of adults are mild to moderately lactose-intolerant, meaning their bodies can’t properly digest an enzyme in cow’s milk and its offshoots (cream, butter, etc.). Add sugar to that equation, and that’s a lot of potential after-dessert tummy aches. Another reason is if you’re vegan for moral or health-conscious reasons, meaning any ingredient that came from an animal (like cow’s milk or butter) is off the table. Be warned—some of these recipes DO have eggs in them, so be sure to check the ingredients if you’re avoiding all animal products.
Whether you’re baking for yourself or for someone else, everyone deserves a treat they can enjoy stress-free. Chocolate lover? Try our wacky chocolate cake, our flourless fudge cookies, or our vegan chocolate chip cookies. Nuts for toasty, nutty desserts? Try our halva recipe, our pignoli cookies, or our almond cake. Fruit fan? Try our pineapple granita, our fruit sorbet, or our poached pears. Most desserts are better alongside a scoop of something creamy and cold, so whip up a batch of our coconut ice cream too so you’re always ready to take your non-dairy desserts to the next level.
Andrew Bui