There are many dairy free Christmas desserts you may not know about. For anyone who can’t consume dairy or gluten due to health concerns, the holidays can be a very difficult time of year.
Not only are all your favorite dishes laden with butter and cream, but you may also feel like you’re missing out on important family traditions. This is by not being able to enjoy the main course at your holiday celebration!
However, don’t fret because plenty of delicious recipes will allow you to keep your diet intact while still enjoying all the Christmas spirit!
Take a look at this list of dairy free Christmas desserts that will help you find your new favorite Christmas treat! Shall we?
1. Nutella Chocolate Mousse
One of my favorite dairy free Christmas desserts is a Nutella Chocolate Mousse. All you need are four ingredients and some time for it to set in the refrigerator.
I usually make it a day ahead if I have the time, but it can be done in about 20 minutes.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Whipping cream (heavy or light, it doesn’t matter).
- Nutella.
- Vanilla extract.
- Dark chocolate chunks or chips
First, pour your heavy whipping cream into a large mixing bowl. Next, beat an electric mixer on medium-high speed until soft peaks form. Then, add the vanilla extract and beat until stiff peaks form.
2. Pumpkin Brownie Cranberry Trifle
This is a recipe for a dairy free and vegan-friendly dessert. It is perfect for the holidays because it is festive, decadent, creamy, and delicious.
Plus, it is such an easy dessert to make. Uniquely, this is the second one on the list of the best dairy free Christmas desserts.
The best part about this pumpkin brownie cranberry trifle is that you can make individual portions in a cupcake pan.
This is so that you don’t have to worry about having enough room in the oven or on your stovetop at Christmas time.
There are plenty of recipes out there for this kind of dish. But most are made with cream cheese frosting or whipped cream topping, making them full of dairy.
3. Cocoa Caramel Bars
Cocoa Caramel Bars are delicious, dairy free Christmas desserts that are great for the holidays.
These bars are made with cocoa powder, which gives them a chocolate flavor, and caramel sauce, which adds sweetness.
The best part? They only require four ingredients, and they’re super easy to make.
4. Dark Chocolate Pecan Bars
Who doesn’t love a good holiday dessert? But for some people, there are simply no baked goods that will do. So what’s the solution?
We found a recipe for Dark Chocolate Pecan Bars by Cookin’ with Books that is a great option. In fact, it’s still easy to make even if you’re not a dessert pro.
This recipe is dairy-free and egg free, but it tastes like the real deal. So if you are looking for the perfect dairy free Christmas desserts, here’s one of them!
5. Spirited Fig Balls
Spirited Fig Balls Recipe Adapted from The Wellness Mama Cookbook Author: Melissa Hartwig. Don’t think twice. These are delectable dairy free Christmas desserts!
Ingredients: fig preserves (I used more for a fruitier taste), maple syrup, oats, coconut flour, ground cinnamon (optional, but yummy!), cocoa powder, salt, vanilla extract.
Optional add-ins to the batch include nut butter, chia seeds, vegan chocolate chips, raisins, and chopped nuts. Instructions: Combine all dry ingredients in a large bowl.
Next, whisk together wet ingredients in a medium bowl or measuring cup until well combined. Finally, add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients and mix well with a spoon or rubber spatula.
6. Cinnamon Glazed Pumpkin Donuts
These donuts aren’t left out of our delicious dairy-free Christmas dessert list. They require few ingredients and very simple procedures to make.
The steps are:
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
- Whisk the milk, pumpkin puree, eggs, vanilla extract, and cinnamon in a large bowl until smooth.
- Add the flour mixture until just combined (do not over-mix).
- Pour the batter into a greased donut pan and bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.
- Let cool for 10 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack.
- Combine all ingredients except confectioners sugar in a small saucepan over medium-high heat.
- Whisk constantly while cooking until thickened (about 3-5 minutes).
- Add confectioners sugar and whisk until dissolved.
7. Cheesecake With Chocolate Chip Cookie Crust
This cheesecake has a cookie crust, so it is dairy-free and gluten free. This recipe is quick and easy to make.
You can bake this cheesecake, which is one of the dairy free Christmas desserts, in an 8-inch square pan or a 9-inch round pan.
Further, the taste reminds me of my favorite store-bought cheesecake, but it tastes even better because it doesn’t have any icky ingredients.
All you need is some eggs, cream cheese, melted butter, sugar, flour, salt, and vanilla extract to make the batter for the crust. Then mix all the ingredients for the filling; eggs, sugar, and sour cream.
8. Eggnog Cake With Cranberry Glaze
Looking for the best dairy free Christmas desserts? Eggnog cake with cranberry glaze is a great option. To make:
- Mix the following ingredients to make the cake: baking powder, eggs, salt, sugar, vegetable oil, applesauce, and vanilla extract.
- Mix the following ingredients to make the cranberry glaze in a separate small bowl: fresh or frozen cranberries (mashed), water or orange juice, and some honey or maple syrup to sweeten it up!
- Grease a round cake pan with coconut oil and pour in your batter (the batter should be about 1 inch thick).
- Then take your cranberry glaze and spread it over the cake’s surface.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Slow Cooker Apple Cobbler
There are many dairy free Christmas desserts that can be made for the holiday season. However, one of my favorites is a slow cooked apple cobbler.
This treat has a buttery crust and chunks of apples in a thick caramel sauce. Additionally, it tastes like it was cooked all day long when it only takes about 10 minutes to make it in the morning and then left to cook all day.
To make this dessert dairy-free, I use vegan margarine instead of butter and coconut milk instead of regular milk. The result is an amazing-tasting dessert that everyone will enjoy!
10. Gingerbread Chocolate Bars
Making gingerbread chocolate bars is a great way to make an old favorite dairy free. This recipe is low in sugar and has no butter or eggs, so it is safe for those with dairy allergies and vegan-friendly.
To prepare this particular dairy free Christmas dessert, you’ll need the following:
- Cocoa powder.
- Boiling water.
- Vegetable oil.
- Whole wheat pastry flour (or regular whole wheat flour).
- Baking soda.
- Ground ginger (or grated fresh ginger).
- Ground cinnamon (use more if you use fresh ginger).
- Salt (optional).
11. Gingerbread Avocado Chocolate Mousse
Gingerbread Avocado Chocolate Mousse is the perfect dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan, and paleo dessert for the holidays. It’s creamy with a nice ginger flavor and satisfying texture.
The ingredients needed for this one of the best dairy free Christmas desserts are:
- Avocado (pitted, peeled).
- Raw cacao powder or cocoa powder.
- Almond milk or other nut milk of your choice.
- Pure maple syrup or honey.
- Ground cinnamon.
- Sea salt.
- Grated ginger root (optional).
12. Bailey’s Ice Cream
Bailey’s ice cream is included in this list of delicious, dairy free Christmas desserts. The recipe combines cream and Bailey’s Irish Cream in a medium saucepan set over medium heat.
Once the mixture simmers, remove it from the heat and whisk in the sugar until dissolved. Next, you will add heavy whipping cream and vanilla extract to the saucepan and mix them.
Transfer the mixture to a clean container, cover it with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least four hours or overnight. To make the swirl, use a hand mixer to whip softened ice cream into soft peaks.
Use an offset spatula to spread on top of store-bought or homemade vanilla ice cream base and ensure no gaps between layers.
13. Gluten-Free Pumpkin Apple Cake
On this list of dairy free Christmas desserts is Pumpkin apple cake, a sweet treat that tastes like autumn. It’s moist and delicious with a delicious crumb topping.
This recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, and made with whole-grain flour, so it’s also healthy! My grandma used to make this for me when I was little, but now I have learned to make it myself.
I love making this during the holiday season because it’s such a festive dessert without any dairy.
14. Gluten Free Cranberry Bundt Cake
This gluten-free cranberry bundt cake is a delicious and festive dessert recipe. It has a nice, light texture and is perfect for any occasion where you need a gluten-free and dairy-free dessert. This cake is vegan and can be made with dairy-free margarine if desired.
Ingredients to make this treat on the list of dairy free Christmas desserts are:
- Apple sauce.
- Organic cane sugar or organic brown sugar.
- Cinnamon.
- Virgin coconut oil or organic vegan.
- Margarine, room temperature.
- Gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
- Baking powder.
15. Classic Toffee Bars
These aren’t excluded from our list of delicious dairy free Christmas desserts. The requirements to make them are:
- Butter or margarine.
- Sugar.
- Eggs, beaten.
- Vanilla extract.
- Baking soda.
- Salt.
- Flour (unsifted).
- Chocolate chips.
Directions to make: Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the sugar and stir until the mixture boils. Then, reduce heat to low and cook for one minute, stirring constantly.
Next, remove from heat, and cool slightly. Add eggs and vanilla extract and beat with a mixer at low speed until combined.
Afterward, add baking soda and salt; beat at high speed until well mixed. Stir in flour by hand until blended; spread the dough into a greased 9×13-inch pan.
16. Chocolate Pumpkin Tartlet Cupcakes
Of the dairy free Christmas desserts for your holiday festivities, the perfect one is a Chocolate Pumpkin Tartlet Cupcake. This recipe is gluten-free, vegan, and dairy-free. Also, it is delicious and easy to make.
All you need are a few ingredients that can be found at any grocery store. The best part about this recipe? It requires no baking and is ready in minutes.
17. Layered Pumpkin Caramel Pie Jars
It’s hard to believe it’s already December, but with the holidays quickly approaching, I couldn’t help but put together some recipes to share with you all.
These recipes are all dairy free Christmas desserts and are perfect for a festive get-together or holiday party.
One of my favorites is this easy layered pumpkin caramel pie jars recipe: dairy, soy, and gluten-free!
Moreso, the best part about these desserts is that they can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator until ready to serve!
Ingredients included are:
- Gluten-free graham crackers (or another vegan type).
- Vegan butter (or coconut oil) + more for greasing the baking dish.
- Pumpkin puree.
18. Easy Holiday Sandwich Cookies
With all the Christmas parties, family gatherings, and holiday festivities, it is important to have some delicious dairy free Christmas desserts.
These cookies are perfect for a family gathering as they can be served without dairy as an after-dinner treat.
To make these easy holiday sandwich cookies, you will need the following ingredients:
- Vegan butter (or margarine).
- Vegan powdered sugar.
- Vanilla extract.
- All-purpose flour.
- Baking powder.
- Salt.
To begin, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Mix the butter and sugar in a large bowl until they are creamy. Finally, add the vanilla extract.
19. Spiced Pear Cupcakes
These light and fluffy spiced pear cupcakes are the perfect dairy free Christmas desserts for your holiday table.
They are light, fluffy, and full of warm flavors like cinnamon, vanilla, and cardamom. These tasty treats are healthy enough to eat for breakfast or dessert!
Furthermore, it’s hard to believe that they’re completely dairy-free. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do. And remember, if it tastes good, it doesn’t have to be bad for you!
20. Pumpkin White Chocolate Cheesecake
Making this cheesecake which is equally one of the best dairy free Christmas desserts, is super easy. The instructions to follow are as follows:
- Bake a pumpkin pie and let it cool completely in the fridge.
- In a food processor, add cream cheese, sugar, eggs, flour, salt, and vanilla extract until fully combined.
- Add in the pumpkin puree and process until smooth (about 1 minute).
- Pour the filling into the cooled pie crust and bake at 350°F for 45-50 minutes or until set.
- Let cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight before serving with whipped cream topping if desired.
21. Apple Strudel
Apple Strudel is a classic festive dessert that’s perfect for the holidays. It can be served warm and fresh or cold and ready to serve.
This dairy-free recipe also has a gluten-free option, so it’s perfect for your family and friends to enjoy, no matter what their dietary restrictions may be.
This is one of the amazing dairy free Christmas desserts, and its ingredients are:
- Water.
- Salt (optional).
- Honey.
- Butter or vegan margarine.
22. Vegan Pumpkin Nog Bread
No holiday season is complete without some form of nog. And there’s no dairy, egg, or sugar in this one.
This vegan pumpkin nog bread, one of the tasty dairy free Christmas desserts, is moist and flavorful with a hint of rum.
Plus, it’s a great dessert for your holiday party that will please even the most die-hard eggnog lovers, and it only has a few ingredients!
- Spelled flour (or all-purpose).
- Sugar.
- Baking powder.
- Cinnamon.
- Pumpkin pie spice (or ground ginger, cardamom, allspice).
- Almond milk.
- Earth Balance buttery spread (or vegan margarine), room temperature.
- Canned pumpkin puree.
23. Vegan Coconut Cake
This vegan coconut cake is likewise one of the delicious, dairy free Christmas desserts you can enjoy during the holiday season.
It’s moist and sweet, with a hint of coconut in every bite. Plus, it has a delicious vanilla cream cheese frosting that will melt in your mouth.
Coupled with that, it’s perfect for any celebration, whether a family gathering or a fancy dinner party. Plus, it would make the perfect present for someone who can’t eat dairy because they’re vegan or have other dietary restrictions.
You can substitute soy milk instead of almond milk to make it soy-free. Try this recipe to get ready for all your holiday entertaining needs!
24. Sugar Crinkle Cookies
Sugar Crinkle Cookies are the perfect holiday treat! These cookies are dairy free and vegan. They’re also gluten-free, egg-free, and soy-free. Plus, they’re delicious!
Don’t let your dietary restrictions stop you from enjoying some yummy treats this winter season. With so many options available, everyone can enjoy a little something sweet.
Continue checking out this list to find out which dairy free Christmas desserts are best for you!
25. No-Bake Millionaire’s Bars
No Bake Millionaire’s Bars are fantastic dairy free Christmas desserts for the holidays and can be made with pantry ingredients.
You only need sugar, butter, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and salt to make these yummy bars taste just like a rich chocolate bar. To make:
- In a saucepan over medium heat, add the butter and sugar. Stir until the mixture becomes liquid.
- Add in the cocoa powder to create a thick paste.
- Now add in the vanilla extract and salt until well mixed into the batter.
26. Homemade Dairy Free Peppermint Patties
These Dairy-Free Peppermint Patties are delicious dairy free Christmas desserts that can be made with any type of nut butter you want.
The recipe is really easy to make, and it’s perfect for the holidays. Plus, you know all the ingredients are gluten-free and vegan. The requirements:
- Natural, unsalted peanut butter, almond butter (or other nut butter).
- Maple syrup or agave nectar.
- Dark chocolate chips (We recommend using Organic Dark Chocolate Baking Chips from Enjoy Life).
- Cocoa powder.
- Sea salt.
- Mint extract (optional).
27. Pumpkin Chocolate Cake With Ginger
This healthy pumpkin chocolate cake is perfect for an indulgent and dairy free Christmas dessert. The best part? It’s so easy to make and requires a few ingredients you probably already have at home. Above all, it is one of the best dairy free Christmas desserts.
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius) and lining the bottom of a 9-inch square baking dish with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
Then, in a large mixing bowl, whisk together brown sugar, flour, cocoa powder, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, salt, and eggs until well blended.
Next, mix in the yogurt (or apple sauce) and pumpkin until everything is evenly combined. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes or until set in the center when a toothpick comes out clean.
28. Chocolate Pumpkin Pots De Creme
As we approach the end of this list of dairy free Christmas desserts, we have the Chocolate pumpkin pots de creme.
The beautiful thing about this dessert is that it takes less than 10 minutes to make and doesn’t require an oven.
It’s perfect for those who are dairy-free for the holidays or anyone looking to reduce their dairy intake.
Ingredients: pumpkin puree, sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, salt, and bittersweet chocolate chips (I used dark).
Instructions: Add all ingredients except chocolate to a small pot over medium heat and cook until bubbling, stirring occasionally.
Reduce heat and add chocolate chips; stir until melted. Then, remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
29. Baked Banana Puddings With Boozy Rum Caramel
Baked Banana Puddings with Boozy Rum Caramel is a delicious and dairy free Christmas dessert perfect for the holidays.
Moreover, they’re gluten-free so that those with dietary restrictions or sensitivities can enjoy them. They only need bananas, eggs, vanilla extract, brown sugar, coconut milk, and rum.
Baking is easy, too – all you need to do is mix the dry ingredients in one bowl. Next, whisk together the wet ingredients in another bowl, then combine both and bake until cooked through.
To create a boozy rum caramel sauce (to top), heat cream with butter until it boils, and add brown sugar and some rum. Simmer until the caramel has thickened, then cool before topping your banana puddings.
30. Vegan & Grain-Free Pumpkin Pie Cups
These pumpkin pie cups are the perfect holiday dessert. They’re made with a grain-free and vegan crust, making them easy to make and good for you.
Plus, they’re just as delicious as traditional pumpkin pie—if not better in some ways.
This is a fun twist on an old classic that your family will love. We have come to the end of the list of dairy-free Christmas desserts!
