Christmas is a time for joy, family, and of course, delicious desserts! But if you're vegan, or have vegan guests joining your celebrations, finding festive treats that meet everyone's needs can sometimes feel like a challenge. Fear not! This post is packed with easy and delicious vegan Christmas dessert recipes that are sure to impress everyone at your holiday gathering. These recipes are perfect for both beginner bakers and seasoned pros, offering a delightful mix of classic flavors with a compassionate twist. Get ready to create some magical vegan Christmas memories in the kitchen!
Spiced Cranberry Orange Vegan Cake
This moist and flavorful cake is a true showstopper, combining the tartness of cranberries with the warmth of orange and aromatic spices. It’s a perfect centerpiece for your Christmas table, and surprisingly easy to make.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- ½ cup plant-based milk (almond or soy work well)
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- Zest of 1 orange
Instructions:
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
- Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt.
- Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the sugar, applesauce, plant-based milk, apple cider vinegar, and vanilla extract. Mix well.
- Combine: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Fold in Cranberries and Orange Zest: Gently fold in the cranberries and orange zest.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- Frost (Optional): Once cooled, frost with your favorite vegan buttercream frosting or a simple powdered sugar glaze.
Tips and Variations:
- For a richer flavor, use brown sugar instead of granulated sugar.
- Add a ½ cup of chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter for extra texture.
- Substitute the cranberries with other festive fruits like chopped cherries or blueberries.
- Make mini cakes instead of one large cake for individual servings.
Easy Vegan Chocolate Peppermint Bark
This decadent treat is unbelievably simple to make and requires only a few ingredients. It’s the perfect last-minute Christmas dessert or a thoughtful homemade gift.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup vegan dark chocolate chips
- ½ cup vegan white chocolate chips
- ¼ cup crushed candy canes
Instructions:
- Melt Chocolate: Melt the dark chocolate chips in a double boiler or in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
- Spread: Spread the melted dark chocolate evenly onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Drizzle White Chocolate: Melt the white chocolate chips in the same manner. Drizzle the melted white chocolate over the dark chocolate.
- Sprinkle Candy Canes: Sprinkle the crushed candy canes over the white chocolate.
- Chill: Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or until the chocolate is firm.
- Break and Serve: Break the bark into pieces and serve.
Nutritional Information (Approximate per serving – varies depending on ingredients used):
Spiced Cranberry Orange Vegan Cake (1/12 of cake): Calories: 300-350, Fat: 10-15g, Protein: 4-5g, Carbohydrates: 50-60g, Fiber: 3-4g
Easy Vegan Chocolate Peppermint Bark (1/12 of bark): Calories: 150-200, Fat: 10-15g, Protein: 1-2g, Carbohydrates: 15-20g, Fiber: 1-2g
Remember that these are estimates, and the exact nutritional content will vary based on the specific ingredients you use. Enjoy your delicious and festive vegan Christmas desserts!