The Best Vegan Thanksgiving Dessert Ideas For 2016

For a holiday that's all about food, specifically turkey, it's no surprise that Thanksgiving isn't exactly vegan-friendly. Even side dishes and salads can be questionable when it comes to Thanksgiving dinner. Thankfully, there are some vegan Thanksgiving dessert recipes that will make you look forward to sitting down for a delicious meal this year. Vegan or not, these dishes will be so tasty, you won't even be able to tell the difference between them and a non-vegan dessert.

You might be thinking that your options are limited when it comes to creating a truly scrumptious vegan dessert. No milk, no eggs, no butter — what are you supposed to make? It just so happens that there are plenty of amazingly gooey, rich, chocolatey, flavor-packed desserts out there that are completely vegan and just waiting for you to enjoy. Once you get them out of the oven and onto your plate, you'll definitely be thankful you're a vegan this year.

So, check out this list of incredible vegan dessert recipes to test out on your family this year and show them how great the vegan lifestyle can really taste. If you're feeling sneaky, you don't even have to tell them they're vegan.

1. Sinless Sticky Toffee Pecan Pudding

Traditional sticky toffee pudding can be a rich dessert full of sugar. Luckily, this recipe contains almost half the sugar of a classic toffee pudding recipe and it's completely vegan. Pair this cake with a scoop of vegan ice cream and your homemade hot toffee sauce for a dessert that perfectly compliments any delicious, Thanksgiving meal. Find the recipe at ohsheglows.com.

2. Banana And Chocolate Coconut Pie

Complete with a flaky, coconut crust, this chocolate-filled pie is a delicious vegan twist on a Thanksgiving classic. With fresh slices of banana and a whipped coconut cream on top, this is the dessert the entire family is going to want to taste. Don't forget to pop the crust in the oven directly after it's been chilled in the fridge to get that flaky texture. Find the recipe at thekitchn.com.

3. Pumpkin Cake With Pumpkin Spice Buttercream Frosting

If this isn't calling your memory back to the "Eat Me" cake from Alice in Wonderland, then I don't know what will. This pumpkin cake is so soft and moist you would never think it was made without eggs and milk. Spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin spice, cloves, vanilla, and molasses, this vegan dessert combines all the flavors of the holidays and more into one fantastic treat. Find the recipe at averiecooks.com.

4. Dark Chocolate Avocado Mousse With Coconut Carmelized Bananas

Avocados are full of nutritious oils and fats that can replace a number of ingredients in your favorite desserts, making them vegan and delicious. This incredible dark chocolate mousse is so silky and creamy from the avocado texture that it pairs perfectly with the hot and gooey, caramelized bananas. Sprinkle some toasted coconut or almonds on top for an extra tasty crunch. Find the recipe at halfbakedharvest.com.

5. Seductive Raw Chocolate Walnut Fudge

Dessert doesn't always have to be baked in the oven or worked on for hours to be delicious. This raw chocolate fudge recipe involves no baking whatsoever and results in a chocolatey work of art your mouth will be thankful you made. Feel free to replace the walnuts with almonds, peanuts, or any nut of your choice to make this fudge all your own. Find the recipe at ohsheglows.com.

6. Pumpkin Pie Brownie Cupcakes

Is it a pie? Is it a brownie? Or, is it a cupcake? Whatever dessert you're craving this Thanksgiving, this one recipe has it all covered. Something of a combination between a brownie and a pie, this dessert takes the filling from a pumpkin pie and places it on top of a brownie in the shape of a cupcake. Does it sound too good to be true? You'll have to taste it to believe it. Find the recipe at ohsheglows.com.

7. Sticky Orange Cake With Marmalade Glaze

Whether you're planning on serving it as a treat before the big meal or you're saving it as an after dinner dessert, this cake is a moist and citrusy treat any vegan (or non-vegan) will love. Drizzled in a sticky orange glaze, this cake is so simple you don't even have to plan ahead to prepare it, making your Thanksgiving day that much easier (and more delicious). Find the recipe at thekitchn.com.

8. Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Sometimes Thanksgiving dinner is so overwhelming, you just want something small and sweet to finish up the meal. Cookies are a quick and easy way to satisfy everyone, and using simple ingredients like oats and raisins can really bring out the flavors in every bite. Add chopped walnuts or chocolate chips for an extra crunch. Find the recipe at ohsheglows.com.

9. Pumpkin Pie Parfaits

Just because a dessert is lighter than eating three slices of pumpkin pie, doesn't mean it has to be any less delicious. Layered with toasted pecans, creamy pumpkin mousse, and a fluffy, coconut whipped cream, this parfait combines all the best parts of Thanksgiving dessert. Grab your spoon and get ready to dig in. Find the recipe at loveandlemons.com.

10. Walnut Chip Brownies

Not only are they vegan, but these brownies are also gluten-free and completely oil-free. They chocolate-filled brownies also combine maple syrup, applesauce, dates, and bananas into a soft and chewy treat that will leave you wanting more. Eat them while they're hot for the best possible brownie experience. Find the recipe at ohsheglows.com.

11. Carrot Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze

Healthier desserts don't always make their way to the dinner table during Thanksgiving. But, this year they can with this fruity, nutty carrot loaf. Topped with a lemon glaze, this carrot cake is also filled with chopped walnuts, raisins, and cinnamon. Just imagine how deliciously the sweetness of the raisins and the carrots pairs with the citrusy lemon glaze and the crunch of the walnuts. Try it out yourself, and find the recipe at ohsheglows.com .

12. Chunky Apple Cinnamon Muffins

Muffins are a comforting, warm baked good that can serve as your breakfast while your bustling around the kitchen on Thanksgiving morning, or pair perfectly with a warm cup of cider or cocoa at the end of the big meal. Cinnamon, nutmeg, apples, and vanilla really bring out the comforting, seasonal flavors in this Thanksgiving treat. Try using different colored apples to really make these muffins stand out on the dinner table. Find the recipe at averiecooks.com.

13. Pumpkin Mousse Squares

Also a gluten-free dessert, these pumpkin mousse squares are everything you'd want in a pumpkin pie but better. With a creamy pumpkin mousse resting on top of a crisp shortbread crust, these pumpkin squares are exactly what Thanksgiving is supposed to taste like. Top them with toasted pecans or almonds and you'll have a dessert that's beautiful, delicious, and gone in a flash. Find the recipe at healthfulpursuit.com.

14. Chocolate Avocado Cake

OK, yes, I know. Avocado cake doesn't exactly sound like the most appealing dessert in the world, especially during Thanksgiving when everything within eyesight on the kitchen table is covered in pumpkin and cinnamon. But, avocados add great texture to cake, making this vegan chocolate cake dense, moist, and perfect for any vegan craving a sweet treat. Combined with a citrusy avocado buttercream frosting, this cake may sound strange, but give it a try and you'll quickly see that it was most definitely worth baking. Find the recipe at joythebaker.com.

15. Carrot Spice Muffins

Just in case you don't have enough seasonal dishes and desserts on your Thanksgiving table this year, these carrot spice muffins combine everything you look for in a holiday meal into one moist and fluffy treat. Pair these muffins with ice cream, yogurt, apple cider, or any of your holiday favorites for the perfect end to your Thanksgiving dinner. Find the recipe at ohsheglows.com.

Now, all you have to do is a pick a few recipes and go shopping, because this Thanksgiving — whether you're vegan or not — dessert is going to be delicious.

Images: Unsplash/Jennifer Pallian; ohsheglows.com (7); thekitchn.com (2); averiecooks.com (2); halfbakedharvest.com; loveandlemons.com; healthfulpursuit.com; joythebaker.com