21 Egg-Free Desserts to Make (Whether You’re Vegan or Just on a Budget)

2023-02-15 17:29:44 By : Mr. Kevin Guo

Have you seen the price of eggs these days? Sure you have, and if you’re stashing a whole carton in your fridge, you’re basically a billionaire. Great news, though: You don’t need an egg hook-up or (even an egg) to make any of these 21 egg-free desserts, whether you’re craving a cookie or serving a fancy tiramisu to your friends. Some of them are vegan and some are no-bake, but all are guaranteed to be delicious.

Editor’s note: While we’ve indicated which desserts in this list are vegan-friendly, others may still include egg-based ingredients. If you have an egg allergy, we caution you to double-check the recipe.

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Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell

Time Commitment: 15 minutes (+ freezing time)

Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, dairy free, gluten free, vegan

Falling somewhere between sorbet and Hawaiian shave ice, granita is a lot like a fancy snow cone. It makes an elegant, lightly sweet end to dinner and you can make it entirely in advance.

Ren Fuller/Downshiftology: Healthy Meal Prep

Why We Love It: <15 minutes, dairy free, gluten free, vegan

Skip the Disney trip (and the lines) and make your own version of the park’s beloved frozen pineapple treat at home. It’s dairy free as written, but if you don’t like coconut milk, you can substitute a scoop of your favorite vanilla ice cream.

Photo: Christine Han/Styling: Erin McDowell

Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser

These cookies get their soft texture and bright color from sweet potato instead of egg—smart, right? If you use vegan marshmallows, you can make them totally plant-based.

Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Aran Goyoaga

Why We Love It: dairy free, gluten free, vegan, crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy

Not only is this plant-based tart a showstopper, but it’s versatile to boot. You can use any seasonal fruit you have on hand in the filling, from sliced stone fruit or pears to frozen berries.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

Why We Love It: no cook, gluten free, dairy free, vegan

If you’re into fudge, you’ll love the texture of these rich, intensely chocolate treats. They’re studded with tart dried cherries and macadamia nuts, but leave them out if you so desire.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

Why We Love It: no bake, crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy

A crowd-pleasing warm-weather dessert that’s as fresh and light as it is easy to make? Don’t mind if we tirami-do.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, special occasion­–worthy, gluten free

If you don’t already have a jar of Nutella hiding in your pantry, consider this eight-ingredient mousse your excuse to go get one.

Photo: Mark Weinberg/Styling: Erin McDowell

Time Commitment: 8 hours, 30 minutes (includes chilling)

Why We Love It: no cook, make ahead, crowd-pleaser

The beauty of a no-bake cheesecake is that it doesn’t require a fussy water bath to make, so you don’t have to worry about it cracking or becoming dry in the oven. In fact, the most difficult step is waiting for it to be ready to eat.

Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly

Whether you know them as 7-layer bars, magic bars or Hello Dolly bars, there’s no denying their deliciousness. Swap out the chocolate and butterscotch chips for peanut butter chips or white chocolate, and play around with your favorite nuts instead of pecans.

Why We Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser

Whether you’re 5 years old or 95, you can’t deny that dirt cups are equal parts adorable and delectable. Our version is classed up from store-bought pudding, but don’t worry: It’s still simple to make.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

Why We Love It: special occasion–worthy, crowd-pleaser, make ahead

With this stunner, you don’t even need to bake the crust. Let your food processor do the work while you take all the compliments from the crowd.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

Why We Love It: no cook, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, make ahead

For snackers who have a tough time choosing between salty and sweet, we have the answer: both.

Colin Price/Dinner Then Dessert

Time Commitment: 4 hours, 25 minutes (includes chilling time)

Why We Love It: make ahead, 10 ingredients, special occasion–worthy, beginner-friendly

Behold, the easiest way to end your meal on a sweet note. When choosing a chocolate, this is the time to splurge on something higher end than chocolate chips, which won’t melt as nicely as a bar or discs.

Time Commitment: 6 hours, 30 minutes (includes chilling time)

Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy, no cook, make ahead

Since this autumnal dessert requires no fussing with a cooked custard it’s both egg-free and kinda foolproof.

Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy, dairy free

As it turns out, you can do a lot with a box of vegan cake mix and some store-bought apple sauce (like make cupcakes, for one).

David Frenkel/Quick and Slow

Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, gluten free, vegan

Think peanut butter cups, but gourmet. As long as you use dark chocolate and not milk, these are vegan-friendly too.

Time Commitment: 1 hour, 25 minutes (+ chilling time)

Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy, vegan, gluten free

To be honest, vegan and gluten-free is sometimes a little too healthy-tasting, if you get our drift. But not this fudgy, fancy dessert.

Photo: Mark Weinberg/Styling: Erin McDowell

Why We Love It: make ahead, <10 ingredients, gluten free, crowd-pleaser

If you can make whipped cream, you’re already halfway to a scoop (or two) of this refreshing, creamy dessert.

Time Commitment: 12 hours (includes freezing time)

Why We Love It: make ahead, <10 ingredients

And if mint isn’t your thing, you can use the same no-churn technique to make egg-free strawberry ice cream (or really any flavor you want).

Time Commitment: 3 hours, 35 minutes (includes chilling time)

Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy, <10 ingredients

Feeling nostalgic? Maybe because this is a modern riff on the Jell-O and pretzel-based strawberry “delight” our grandmas used to lovingly dish up. (This time it calls for just seven ingredients and requires no baking.)

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, no cook, <15 minutes

The absolute best part of this egg-free dessert? It satisfies your craving for raw cookie dough, with zero risk.

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Katherine Gillen is PureWow’s senior food editor. She’s a writer, recipe developer and food stylist with a degree in culinary arts and professional experience in New York City restaurants. She used to sling sugary desserts in a pastry kitchen, but now she’s an avid home cook and fanatic baker.

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