Vegan Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes Everyone Will Love

Updated On: September 30, 2025

Thanksgiving is a time for gathering, gratitude, and of course, indulging in delicious desserts that bring warmth and joy to the table. For those following a vegan lifestyle, finding festive treats that capture the spirit of the holiday while remaining plant-based can be a delightful challenge.

Luckily, vegan Thanksgiving desserts are not only possible but incredibly scrumptious and full of seasonal flavors. From rich pumpkin pies to decadent chocolate delights, these recipes prove that you don’t need dairy or eggs to create memorable sweets that everyone will love.

Whether you’re hosting a large family feast or simply want to add a special touch to your holiday meal, these vegan dessert recipes offer a perfect balance of tradition and innovation. They showcase the best ingredients of fall — think cozy spices, creamy nuts, and natural sweetness — all while being kind to animals and the planet.

Dive in and discover how easy and rewarding it is to make your Thanksgiving celebration truly inclusive and delicious with these vegan treats.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These vegan Thanksgiving dessert recipes are designed to be approachable, satisfying, and bursting with flavor. You’ll find that they:

  • Use wholesome, plant-based ingredients that are easy to find and naturally delicious.
  • Offer classic holiday flavors such as pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, and pecans, crafted without any animal products.
  • Are perfect for all guests, whether they’re vegan, lactose-intolerant, or just looking for a lighter dessert option.
  • Include a variety of textures and types, from pies and cakes to creamy puddings and bars.
  • Can be prepared ahead of time to reduce stress on the big day.

By choosing these recipes, you are embracing a warm, festive, and inclusive holiday experience that will leave everyone asking for seconds.

Ingredients

Below are the combined ingredients used across three standout vegan Thanksgiving desserts: Pumpkin Spice Pie, Pecan Maple Bars, and Chocolate Avocado Mousse.

Ingredient Quantity Notes
Pumpkin puree 1 ½ cups Use canned or homemade
All-purpose flour 1 ¾ cups Divided for crust and bars
Brown sugar ¾ cup For sweetness and depth
Maple syrup ½ cup Natural sweetener
Rolled oats 1 cup For texture in bars
Ground cinnamon 2 tsp Warm spice flavor
Ground nutmeg 1 tsp Essential for pumpkin pie
Ground ginger ½ tsp Optional for spice mix
Ground cloves ¼ tsp Optional for stronger spice profile
Baking powder 1 tsp For bar rise
Chopped pecans 1 cup For pecan bars and topping
Silken tofu 14 oz (1 package) For creamy pie filling
Avocados 2 medium ripe For mousse base
Cocoa powder ½ cup Unsweetened, for mousse
Vanilla extract 2 tsp Enhances flavor
Almond milk ½ cup Dairy-free milk for mousse
Salt ¼ tsp Balances sweetness
Vegetable oil ¼ cup For crust and bars

Equipment

  • 9-inch pie dish
  • 8×8 inch baking pan
  • Mixing bowls (various sizes)
  • Electric mixer or hand whisk
  • Food processor or blender
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Silicone spatula
  • Baking parchment paper
  • Cooling rack
  • Oven

Instructions

Vegan Pumpkin Spice Pie

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease the 9-inch pie dish lightly with oil.
  2. Prepare the crust: In a bowl, combine 1 cup all-purpose flour with 2 tbsp brown sugar and 1/4 tsp salt. Add 3 tbsp vegetable oil and 3-4 tbsp cold water, mixing until dough forms. Press the dough evenly into the pie dish bottom and sides.
  3. Bake the crust: Place the crust in the oven for 10 minutes to set. Remove and let cool slightly.
  4. Make the filling: In a blender or food processor, combine the pumpkin puree, silken tofu, ½ cup brown sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, ½ tsp nutmeg, ¼ tsp ground ginger, 1/8 tsp cloves, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Blend until smooth and creamy.
  5. Pour the filling into the baked crust, smoothing the top.
  6. Bake for 45-50 minutes until the filling is set but slightly jiggly in the center.
  7. Cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

Pecan Maple Bars

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line the 8×8 inch pan with parchment paper.
  2. Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, combine ¾ cup flour, 1 cup rolled oats, ½ tsp baking powder, ¼ tsp salt, and ½ tsp cinnamon.
  3. Add wet ingredients: Stir in ¼ cup vegetable oil and ¼ cup maple syrup until mixture is crumbly but holds together when pressed.
  4. Press half the mixture firmly into the bottom of the pan to form the base.
  5. Prepare the pecan topping: Mix ½ cup chopped pecans with ¼ cup maple syrup and 1 tbsp flour.
  6. Sprinkle topping evenly over the base, then crumble the remaining oat mixture on top.
  7. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden and set.
  8. Cool completely on a rack before slicing into bars.

Chocolate Avocado Mousse

  1. In a blender, combine ripe avocados, ½ cup cocoa powder, ½ cup almond milk, ¼ cup maple syrup, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.
  2. Blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed.
  3. Taste and adjust sweetness if necessary by adding more maple syrup.
  4. Transfer mousse to serving bowls and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to chill and thicken.
  5. Serve chilled topped with fresh berries or chopped nuts if desired.

Tips & Variations

“For a nut-free version of the pecan bars, substitute pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds, and use seed butter instead of oil.”

  • Make ahead: All these desserts can be prepared a day in advance, allowing flavors to meld beautifully.
  • Sweetener swaps: Use coconut sugar or agave syrup in place of brown sugar and maple syrup to adjust sweetness or flavor profiles.
  • Spice it up: Add a pinch of cardamom or allspice to your pumpkin pie filling for a unique twist.
  • Crust alternatives: Try a gluten-free crust by swapping all-purpose flour with almond or oat flour.
  • Presentation: Serve the mousse in mini mason jars for a charming individual dessert option.

Nutrition Facts

Dessert Calories (per serving) Fat Carbohydrates Protein
Pumpkin Spice Pie (1 slice) 280 12g 38g 5g
Pecan Maple Bars (1 bar) 320 15g 40g 4g
Chocolate Avocado Mousse (½ cup) 210 15g 20g 3g

Serving Suggestions

Pair these desserts with a cup of hot spiced apple cider or a robust vegan coffee latte to complement their rich, warm flavors. For a festive touch, add a dollop of coconut whipped cream or a sprinkle of cinnamon on top of the pumpkin pie.

The pecan maple bars are delightful on their own but can also be served alongside a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgence.

The chocolate avocado mousse shines when garnished with fresh raspberries or a dusting of cocoa powder, making it both elegant and satisfying. These desserts are great for sharing at potlucks or family dinners, and they store well, so you can enjoy leftovers the next day without losing any flavor or texture.

If you love exploring vegan dishes beyond desserts, be sure to check out our [Peruvian Vegetable Recipes for Flavorful Healthy Meals], [Vegetarian Date Cake Recipe: Moist, Easy, and Delicious], and [Vegan Bread Machine Recipe for Soft, Delicious Loaves] for more plant-based inspiration.

Conclusion

Creating vegan Thanksgiving desserts that everyone will enjoy is easier than you think. With these recipes, you can offer beautiful, flavorful sweets that capture the essence of the holiday without any animal products.

From the spiced pumpkin pie to nutty maple bars and creamy chocolate mousse, each dessert brings something special to your festive table.

These recipes not only satisfy cravings but also demonstrate the versatility and richness of plant-based baking. Whether you’re a seasoned vegan or just curious about healthier dessert options, these dishes will make your Thanksgiving celebration memorable and inclusive.

Embrace the season’s best flavors and enjoy the smiles your desserts will bring to the table. Happy Thanksgiving!

📖 Recipe Card: Vegan Pumpkin Pie

Description: A creamy, spiced pumpkin pie perfect for a vegan Thanksgiving dessert. Made with a flaky crust and a rich pumpkin filling.

Prep Time: PT20M
Cook Time: PT50M
Total Time: PT1H10M

Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup vegan butter, cold
  • 1/4 cup ice water
  • 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
  • 3/4 cup coconut milk
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Mix flour and salt in a bowl, cut in vegan butter until crumbly.
  3. Add ice water gradually, mix until dough forms; chill 30 minutes.
  4. Roll out dough and press into pie pan; bake crust for 10 minutes.
  5. In a bowl, whisk pumpkin, coconut milk, brown sugar, cornstarch, spices, and vanilla.
  6. Pour filling into crust and bake 40 minutes until set.
  7. Cool before serving.

Nutrition: Calories: 280 | Protein: 3g | Fat: 12g | Carbs: 38g

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Photo of author

Marta K

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