19 Dairy-Free Desserts to Savor Whether You're Lactose-Intolerant Or Not

Felicia Lim
·5 min read

Key Lime Pie

As more and more people realize that they have lactose intolerances or allergies, there's a growing demand for dairy-free recipes. While it's easier to cook dairy-free main courses, dairy-free desserts are usually a little trickier because hey, most of us like to use cream, milk, butter and cheese for decadent desserts, am I right? Here are 19 dairy-free desserts to enjoy whether you're lactose-intolerant or not. Browse through them, be sure to pin your favorites and get ready to indulge, minus the allergy issues.

Related: Vegan and Dairy-Free Treats and Desserts for Valentine's Day

How Make the Best Dairy-Free Desserts

How do you make dairy-free desserts taste good? It comes down to finding recipes that still offer quality ingredients and a mix of those classic sweet flavors you've come to love, but without too many odd substitutions that alter the flavor and texture of the dessert. In many cases, just swapping in a dairy-free milk alternative is enough to make your favorite recipe lactose-free!

Being lactose-intolerant or allergic to dairy shouldn't mean you have to give up eating great-tasting desserts, however. Not at all. In fact, there are more and more choices each time, and from options for chocolate-lovers such as Flourless Chocolate Cake and Dairy-Free Brownies, to Peanut Butter Fudge and Key Lime Pie, there's definitely an amazing dessert for everyone in this list!

Related: You'd Never Believe These 3-Ingredient Treats Don't Contain Dairy or Eggs

The Best Dairy-Free Desserts

<p>Moist, decadent, and impossibly easy to make, this flourless chocolate cake is great for any special occasion. Gluten-free and dairy-free.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://www.dishbydish.net/chocolate-coconut-cake-gluten-free-dairy-free/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Flourless Chocolate Cake (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free);elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link "><em>Flourless Chocolate Cake (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)</em></a></strong></p>
<p>The Loopy Whisk</p><p>These vegan chocolate brownie cookies will blow your mind. They’re fudgy, intensely chocolatey, and have the most gorgeous shiny, crackly crust.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: </strong><a href="https://theloopywhisk.com/2020/05/25/fudgy-vegan-chocolate-brownie-cookies/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Fudgy Vegan Chocolate Brownie Cookies;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link "><strong>Fudgy Vegan Chocolate Brownie Cookies</strong></a></p>
<p>Dish by Dish</p><p>These 4-ingredient homemade peanut butter cups come together so easily, and make the perfect sweet treat. Gluten-free and vegan.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://www.dishbydish.net/homemade-peanut-butter-cups/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Homemade Peanut Butter Cups (Gluten-Free, Vegan);elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Homemade Peanut Butter Cups (Gluten-Free, Vegan)</a></strong></p>
<p>Dish by Dish</p><p>This easy pecan pie recipe has a pecan filling held together by a light and flaky crust. No corn syrup used, gluten-free and dairy-free too.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://www.dishbydish.net/easy-pecan-pie-recipe/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Easy Pecan Pie (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free);elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Easy Pecan Pie (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)</a></strong></p>
<p>Dish by Dish</p><p>These light, fluffy coconut flour pancakes are perfect for breakfast, brunch or dessert. Gluten-free, dairy-free, low-carb and paleo.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://www.dishbydish.net/grain-free-coconut-flour-pancakes/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Coconut Flour Pancakes (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free);elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Coconut Flour Pancakes (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)</a></strong></p>
<p>The Hidden Veggies</p><p>This recipe is for vegan fudge made the authentic old fashioned way! Rich, creamy, melt in your mouth chocolate fudge, like the kind that you would find in a fudge shop!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://thehiddenveggies.com/vegan-fudge/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Vegan Fudge;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Vegan Fudge</a></strong></p>
<p>The Big Man's World</p><p>Hands down, these are the best ever blondies recipe made with easy ingredients. Thick, gooey, and loaded with chocolate chips, they take less than 20 minutes to make!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://thebigmansworld.com/vegan-gluten-free-blondies/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Vegan Blondies;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Vegan Blondies</a></strong></p>
<p>Dish by Dish</p><p>Learn to make your own homemade chocolate with just 10 minutes of hands-on time! Gluten-free and vegan, this is the perfect sweet treat!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://www.dishbydish.net/homemade-raisin-seed-chocolate-gluten-free-vegan/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Homemade Chocolate (Gluten-Free, Vegan);elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Homemade Chocolate (Gluten-Free, Vegan)</a></strong></p>
<p>Karissa's Vegan Kitchen</p><p>These vegan cheesecake brownies start with a rich, fudgy brownie layer and are topped with a layer of creamy, tangy cheesecake. Nut-free!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://www.karissasvegankitchen.com/vegan-cheesecake-brownies/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Dairy-Free Vegan Cheesecake Brownies;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link "><em>Dairy-Free Vegan Cheesecake Brownies</em></a></strong></p>
<p>Dish by Dish</p><p>Studded with sweet cherries in a flan-like batter, this easy cherry clafoutis is ready in just 30 minutes! Gluten-free and dairy-free.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://www.dishbydish.net/gluten-free-cherry-clafoutis/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Cherry Clafoutis (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free);elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Cherry Clafoutis (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)</a></strong></p>
<p>Dish by Dish</p><p>This crustless pumpkin pie is filled with pumpkin flavor, so incredibly creamy and rich, and no crust needed! Gluten-free and dairy-free.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://www.dishbydish.net/crustless-pumpkin-pie-gluten-free-dairy-free/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Crustless Pumpkin Pie (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free);elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Crustless Pumpkin Pie (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)</a></strong></p>
<p>The Nomadic Fitzpatricks</p><p>This key lime pie is a refreshing no-bake dessert.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://www.thenomadicfitzpatricks.com/gluten-free-and-dairy-free-key-lime-pie/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Key Lime Pie (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free);elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Key Lime Pie (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)</a></strong></p>
<p>Food Faith Fitness</p><p>These easy gluten-free dairy-free brownies come together in less than an hour and are so dense and chewy! Paleo friendly, healthy and so tasty!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://www.foodfaithfitness.com/easy-gluten-free-dairy-free-brownies/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Easy Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Brownies;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Easy Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Brownies</a></strong></p>
<p>Simply Whisked</p><p>These dairy free chocolate chip cookies are seriously the best ever. They are made with shortening instead of butter, which makes them perfectly chewy with slightly crunchy edges. No one will ever know that the butter is missing.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://www.simplywhisked.com/the-best-dairy-free-chocolate-chip-cookies/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:The Best Dairy-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">The Best Dairy-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies</a></strong></p>
<p>The Almond Eater</p><p>This vegan arroz con leche is both sweet and sticky, and made using white rice, cinnamon and your favorite dairy-free milk for an easy and delicious Mexican rice pudding recipe.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://thealmondeater.com/vegan-arroz-con-leche/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Vegan Arroz con Leche;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Vegan Arroz con Leche</a></strong></p>
<p>Vibrant Plate</p><p>Easy and delicious homemade dairy-free crepes are made with eggs, flour, plant-based milk, and a dash of sugar. No dairy or lactose.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://www.vibrantplate.com/easy-homemade-dairy-free-crepes/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Homemade Dairy-Free Crepes;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Homemade Dairy-Free Crepes</a></strong></p>
<p>Eat with Clarity</p><p>These gluten free chocolate cupcakes are moist, fluffy, spongey and undetectably dairy free. They’re easy to make and the perfect way to satisfy your chocolate craving!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://eatwithclarity.com/gluten-free-chocolate-cupcakes/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Chocolate Cupcakes (Gluten-free, Dairy-Free);elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Chocolate Cupcakes (Gluten-free, Dairy-Free)</a></strong></p>
<p>Dish by Dish</p><p>The simplest microwave peanut butter fudge ever! Just 3 ingredients and 5 minutes of hands-on time to get a creamy, decadent fudge.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://www.dishbydish.net/microwave-peanut-butter-fudge/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Microwave Peanut Butter Fudge;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Microwave Peanut Butter Fudge</a></strong></p>
<p>All Day I Dream About Food</p><p>Creamy and rich, this keto peanut butter pie is completely dairy-free too! A low carb dessert for peanut butter lovers.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://alldayidreamaboutfood.com/keto-peanut-butter-pie/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Keto Peanut Butter Pie;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Keto Peanut Butter Pie</a></strong></p>

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