What would the holiday season be without some amazing desserts?! There certainly is no reason to miss out due to food allergies or special diets. We’ve put together this amazing collection of 30 top dairy-free holiday desserts from Go Dairy Free and several other beloved recipe creators. They’ll easily satisfy your sweet tooth and will surely impress your family and friends!
Dairy-Free Christmas Desserts: 50 Favorite Recipes
Honestly, it was hard to narrow this list down. We easily could have shared a hundred dairy-free holiday desserts in this post, but that would become a bit overwhelming. So we’ve created separate lists of dairy-free holiday pie recipes and dairy-free Christmas cookies, in addition to the incredible cakes, tarts, puddings, and other sweet treats featured below.
Yule Log Cake / Bûche de Noël
This Swiss roll style sponge cake is a European favorite. It’s filled with icing and topped with a ganache or dusted with powdered sugar. Just a couple tricks make it look like a festive yule log. Our favorite version is made with eggs, but we also have a Vegan Yule Log Cake Recipe if you need egg-free.
Snickerdoodle Blondies
Two popular desserts in one – you can’t go wrong! These beloved bar cookies have a rich and warm flavor thanks to the magical combination of brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Maple Cream Fudge
It might seem like an impossible feat, but this sweet, creamy fudge is completely milk-free and vegan friendly. If you want to serve an assortment, our dairy-free peanut butter fudge and dairy-free fantasy fudge recipes are also quite popular.
Eggnog Bundt Cake
There isn’t any dairy or eggs in this “eggnog” cake, because it’s completely vegan friendly. The cake is infused with vegan eggnog and a touch of rum, swirled with cinnamon, and topped with a sweet vegan nog drizzle.
Homemade Peppermint Patties
Everyone will love these nibbles of nostalgia that just happen to be top allergen-free. Not to mention, your table of dairy-free holiday desserts wouldn’t be complete without some winter-inspired chocolates.
Chocolate Pumpkin Pots de Creme
There’s no need to leave special diet guests out when deciding on your sweet selections. This dreamy, creamy mousse is not only vegan, it’s also low sugar and allergy-friendly.
Classic Gingerbread Cake
There is no need for any type of dairy alternative in this traditional rich and spiced recipe. It’s naturally dairy-free and loved by all. As an added bonus, it comes with both egg and egg-free options!
Mulled Wine Sorbet
Dazzle guests with this elevated, yet refreshing post meal dessert. It’s fancy enough for a fine restaurant, but is relatively easy to churn at home.
Chocolate Peppermint Bars
This “cheat” dessert uses box brownie mix for the base (yes, many are dairy free!), and is layered with an easy peppermint filling, chocolate ganache, and crushed candy cane. It’s a fun, festive, and sweet treat!
White Chocolate Cupcakes
Both the cake and the frosting are infused with delicious dairy-free white chocolate. It’s a scrumptious, snow white canvas for holiday sprinkles or crushed candies.
Apple Strudel
This Austrian classic is ridiculously simple, but it makes such an elegant plated dessert for Christmas. Top it with a scoop of dairy-free vanilla ice cream for that extra touch of indulgence.
Rum Balls
I’ve heard many an argument over the best rum balls. But I can say for certain that this dairy-free recipe is a strong contender.
Butterless Butter Tarts
This Canadian classic is a special holiday treat that’s typically loaded with dairy and eggs. But this healthier version is vegan friendly, and even made without butter alternative. Don’t worry! Each bite is still deliciously indulgent.
German Chocolate Cake or Cupcakes
This was a favorite holiday dessert during my childhood years, and it’s just as amazing without any dairy. It’s perfect for just about any occasion, but the combination of chocolate, caramel, pecans, and coconut always shouts Christmas to me.
Popcorn Christmas Trees
If you like crafty holiday desserts, you’ll love these edible trees. They’re a bit like rice crispy treats, but made with popcorn to create that rustic tree look. Our version includes various options for dairy-free tree decorations and a base of dairy-free sugar cookies.
Chocolate Hazelnut Mousse
This decadent treat is as simple as it is delicious! Gather just 3 ingredients, melt, and whip for a show-stopping last-minute dessert. It’s also naturally gluten-free and soy-free.
Chestnut Pound Cake
Believe it or not, there is no butter of any kind in this moist and dense cake. The richness comes from olive oil, and the flavor boasts both chestnuts and warm holiday spices.
Sticky Toffee Pudding
Also known as sticky date pudding, this Christmas pudding isn’t really a pudding at all. It’s a British sponge cake covered in toffee sauce. And this version just happens to be dairy-free, egg-free, and vegan friendly.
Chocolate Gingerbread House
Why mess with icing when pure, melted, dairy-free chocolate can glue and trim your edible house? The gingerbread house itself is made with cocoa and spices, for a chocoholic’s version of a Christmas classic.
Pumpkin Cheesecake
We’re still right in the heart of pumpkin season, which makes this dairy-free cheesecake flavor perfect for the holidays. It has options for a vegan chocolate or classic graham crust.
Nutty Mince Pies
Aimee is the author of Great British Vegan, so it’s no surprise that her vegan mince pies are a holiday favorite.
Homemade Truffles
Yes, dairy-free boxed chocolates are not only a reality, they’re also fun and easy to make. This recipe offers different flavors of vegan truffles with white, milk-like, and dark chocolate.
Cranberry Red Velvet Cake
Just look at that hue! It’s bright and beautiful to make Santa proud. Cranberry lends sweet-tart flavor and a naturally brilliant red without need for a drop of food coloring.
Apple Cobbler
Thanksgiving and apple pie go hand in hand, but for Christmas, we like to bake apple cobbler. This dairy-free version has a moist, tender, thin cake-like topping that’s crusted with a layer of cinnamon and sugar.
Hot Chocolate Balls
For a unique dairy-free holiday treat, set out a bowl of assorted vegan hot chocolate balls. We make white chocolate, milk chocolate, and peppermint candy cane flavors. You can also offer a few types of warmed non-dairy milk based on your guests and your supplies.
Crumb Coffee Cake
This “better than Entenmann’s” coffee cake is layered with a buttery cinnamon-brown sugar streusel. It’s so much easier than cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning but every bit as delicious.
Caramel Pecan Pumpkin Parfaits
Jump on the jar trend with these perfectly portable dairy-free holiday desserts that guests can enjoy even when its standing room only.
Baked Banana Puddings with Boozy Rum Caramel
Sweet, sticky, and full of flavor, these grown-up individual desserts will have guests shouting, “I can’t believe it’s vegan!”
Chai Spiced Pumpkin Cake
This slightly wholesome Christmas cake was a contest winner. So we simply had to include it in our collection of the best dairy-free holiday desserts.
Chocolate Covered Pretzels
A bowl of these indulgent snacks won’t last long thanks to the irresistible combination of sweet chocolate and salty pretzels. Fortunately, they’re very easy to make. While you’re at it, you can even dunk some Dairy-Free White Fudge Oreos.
Cashew Creme Pear Tart
The sweet cashew cream layer in this holiday dessert perfectly complements seasonal pears. The almond sprinkle is optional, but highly recommended.
Gingerbread Apple Skillet Cake
The apple, pecan, and brown sugar topping turns the classic idea of gingerbread cake upside down. Bad pun intended.
Classic Peanut Brittle
This peanutty candy is quite easy to make without dairy and tastes every bit as delicious. If you need a festive treat in a hurry, try our Microwave Peanut Brittle Recipe.
Gumdrop Bread
Leave it to Sarah to come up with such a whimsical, kid-friendly bread for the holidays. Gumdrops add festive color and a unique taste and texture to this sliced dessert.
Lemon Bars
The puckery lemon taste in these classic bars is oh-so sweet and tangy. Serve them to family, party guests, and coworkers. No one will ever know they’re dairy free!
Cardamom Pear Cake
Lest we not forget about the magical combination of pear and cardamom. They join forces with hints of almond, vanilla, and orange to elevate the flavor of this holiday bundt cake.
“Bailey’s” Ice Cream
Rich, creamy, and boozy is the trifecta for an award-winning “adults only” dessert. Pair this with a drizzle of dairy-free chocolate sauce for ultimate flavor experience.
Peppermint Chocolate Bark
Your table of dairy-free Christmas desserts would not be complete vegan peppermint bark. This naturally gluten-free and grain-free treat is layered with semi-sweet or dark chocolate, dairy-free white chocolate, and crushed candy canes.
Cranberry Orange Pound Cake
This hefty classic has a seasonal twist, with dried cranberries and an infusion of orange in the cake. A sweet ginger orange glaze seals it with sweetness.
Vegan Toffee
Your plate of dairy-free holiday desserts would not be complete without chocolate covered toffee. This rich, crunchy candy is made purely with simple vegan ingredients.
Baked Apple Cider Donuts
Are you looking for a more wholesome treat? These lovely warm donuts are made with whole grain flour and unrefined sugar. But they’re still a treat for Christmas brunch or dessert.
Vegan Coconut Cake
Snow white coconut cake dazzles on its own, but also makes a great base for holiday hues (like red berries) or edible Christmas decorations.
Maple Pecan Apple Crisp
Apple crisp is perhaps my favorite dessert of all time. So it should come as no surprise that I have baked many variations. This is my favorite one for Christmas – since it’s infused with maple pecan goodness. For something a little different, I also have a Maple Walnut Pear Crisp Recipe.
Dairy-Free Eggnog Bread
It’s genius really. All the richness and flavor of dairy-free eggnog infused in a simple quick bread. And yes, it is topped with a sweet eggnog glaze. Could there be a better dairy-free Christmas dessert?
Caramel Pecan Cinnamon Rolls
Ordinary cinnamon rolls will not do for the holidays. It’s time to up your game with caramel, pecans, and optionally dried cranberries too!
Fig Tart
Doesn’t this tart just look like Christmas? It’s nutty, sweetened with brown sugar, enriched with … [checks notes]… dairy-free chocolate ganache.
Kettle Corn
This sweetly simple popcorn has seen a resurgence at Christmas markets around the world. But there’s no need to pay a high price. It’s easy to make at home, and the recipe is naturally dairy free.
Maple Custard
Move over creme caramel. It’s maple’s turn to shine as the sweet upside down topping on these simple steam-baked custards.
Gingerbread Candied Pecans
Of course we bake dairy-free gingerbread cookies for Christmas, but we also love spreading that spiced love to candied nuts! These make a great holiday gift. Simply tie bags of them with pretty ribbon.
The Best Dairy-Free Pumpkin Bread
No list of dairy-free holiday desserts would be complete without my mom’s pumpkin bread recipe. Each year she baked dozens of mini loaves and gifted them to family, friends, and neighbors. If you can’t do eggs, you’ll love our alternate Moist Vegan Pumpkin Bread Recipe.
In addition to the dessert recipes above, we have gathered a collection of our favorite dairy-free recipes for holiday cookies.
