Thanksgiving is a time for gathering with loved ones, sharing gratitude, and indulging in delicious food. But what if you're looking for delightful dessert options that cater to vegan guests or your own plant-based lifestyle? Fear not! This Thanksgiving, elevate your dessert game with these incredibly easy and healthy vegan recipes. Forget complicated procedures – these recipes are perfect for both beginner bakers and experienced cooks, promising a sweet ending to your holiday meal without compromising on taste or texture. Prepare to impress everyone with these delicious, homemade treats!
Spiced Pumpkin Pie with Oat Crust
This classic Thanksgiving dessert gets a vegan makeover, boasting a deliciously spiced pumpkin filling encased in a crunchy oat crust. It's surprisingly easy to make and delivers all the warmth and comfort of a traditional pumpkin pie.
Ingredients:
For the Oat Crust:
- 1 ½ cups rolled oats
- ½ cup almond flour
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup coconut oil, melted
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- Pinch of salt
For the Pumpkin Filling:
- 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree
- 1 (12-ounce) can full-fat coconut milk
- ¾ cup maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions:
Make the Crust:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a food processor, pulse the oats until they form a coarse flour.
- Add almond flour, maple syrup, melted coconut oil, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Pulse until a dough forms.
- Press the dough into a 9-inch pie plate, forming an even crust. Use your fingers to create a slightly raised edge.
- Prick the bottom of the crust with a fork.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until lightly golden.
Make the Filling:
- While the crust is baking, whisk together pumpkin puree, coconut milk, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt in a large bowl until smooth.
- Pour the pumpkin filling into the pre-baked crust.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the filling is set and a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.
Cool and Serve:
- Let the pie cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving. This allows the filling to set properly.
- For an extra touch, garnish with vegan whipped cream or a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Tips and Variations:
- For a gluten-free option, ensure your oats are certified gluten-free.
- Feel free to experiment with different spices to personalize the flavor profile.
- If you don’t have almond flour, you can substitute it with an equal amount of additional oats.
- A sprinkle of chopped pecans or walnuts adds a delightful crunch.
Apple Cranberry Crisp (Vegan)
This warm and comforting crisp is a perfect Thanksgiving dessert, showcasing the beautiful flavors of autumn. Bursting with sweet apples and tart cranberries, topped with a buttery oat crumble, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. This easy recipe is a quick dinner idea for a cozy evening.
Ingredients:
- 6 medium apples (such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and sliced
- 1 (12-ounce) bag fresh or frozen cranberries
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
For the Crumble Topping:
- 1 cup rolled oats
- ½ cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup vegan butter, cold and cubed
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large bowl, toss the apples, cranberries, maple syrup, lemon juice, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined.
- Pour the apple-cranberry mixture into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish.
- In a separate bowl, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in the cold vegan butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apple-cranberry mixture.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- Let cool slightly before serving warm.
Nutritional Information (Approximate, per serving):
(Pumpkin Pie): Calories: 350-400, Fat: 18-20g, Carbohydrates: 45-50g, Protein: 5-7g
(Apple Cranberry Crisp): Calories: 300-350, Fat: 15-18g, Carbohydrates: 40-45g, Protein: 4-6g
Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on specific ingredients used.
These delicious, easy recipes are perfect for your Thanksgiving feast. Enjoy creating these healthy meals and sharing them with your loved ones. Happy Thanksgiving!