The 13 Best and Most Surprising Dairy-Free Desserts
Sometimes, you don’t get a choice in what you want to eat. For many who suffer with food allergies, foods with ingredients such as gluten, peanuts, and even chocolate are a no-no. This can also be the case with dairy products as well. But even if you can eat dairy products, perhaps you choose not to for personal or health reasons.
What Does it Mean to Eat Dairy-Free?
If you are on a dairy-free diet, this means that you either can’t or choose not to eat foods with milk in them like eggs, cheese, yogurt, cream, and butter.
Why Eat Dairy-Free?
If you can’t consume dairy products because of an allergic reaction or because it tears your stomach up, this means that you are lactose intolerant. So any sort of food with milk in it is off-limits to your diet.
Meanwhile, there are a multitude of reasons that a person could simply choose not to eat dairy products. For example, you could be trying to lose weight, lowering your cholesterol, or cutting back on your risk of Candida overgrowth.
However, just because you can’t or choose not to have milk products doesn’t mean that your dessert life is over! Many milk products can be replaced and substituted for dairy-free ingredients so that you can enjoy what you love without worrying about dairy content.
So whether by choice or because of allergies, there are many reasons that eating dairy-free can be beneficial and essential to quality of life.
The Best and Most Surprising Dairy-Free Desserts
For many, it’s probably hard to imagine many desserts that don’t contain some form of dairy, but they are out there and you may even actually love some of them already without even knowing they’re dairy-free, such as Oreos. Yes, milk’s favorite cookie is actually a dairy-free food! So if you’re wondering what other popular desserts out there are also dairy-free, check out our list of the thirteen best dairy-free desserts, consisting of both desserts you can buy as well as make in your own kitchen, plus some common dessert ingredients that you might be surprised don’t contain dairy either.
Ben & Jerry’s Non-Dairy Phish Food
This rich, non-dairy chocolate ice cream from Ben & Jerry’s is also certified as vegan and consists of swirls of decadent caramel, gooey marshmallow, and sweet little fudge fish scattered all through it. All of the ingredients contain no GMOs, and it sources Fairtrade Certified ingredients such as bananas, sugar, coffee, cocoa, and vanilla.
Duncan-Hines Fudge Brownie Mix
With the exception of their clearly labeled Milk Chocolate brownie mixes, the Duncan-Hines Fudge Brownie Mixes you can find at your grocery store contain absolutely no dairy and don’t require any to make the brownies. So go ahead and indulge in these chocolatey delights without having to worry about milk allergies or an upset stomach!
Nutter Butter Cookies
Unless you have a peanut allergy as well, these crispy, peanut-buttery little cookies are an absolute yes to those who eat dairy-free. Dip them in chocolate for a little extra fun, crush them up and use them for a unique pie crust, do whatever you like as long as you enjoy them!
Hershey’s Syrups
So you’ve found a dairy-free ice cream that you love, but perhaps it’s missing something? Maybe you’re hoping for a drizzle of chocolate, strawberry, or even a chocolate shell syrup to go over it? Well, you’re in luck, because Hershey’s Chocolate, Strawberry, Lite, Special Dark, Whoppers, Chocolate Shell, and Double Chocolate Sundae flavored syrups are all dairy-free syrups!
Sorbet
What is the difference between sorbet and regular ice cream? Sorbet has no milk or cream, making it a dairy-free dessert that anyone can enjoy in a variety of flavors from rich chocolate to delightful fruity flavors, and it’s made by many of the major ice cream brands, such as Ben & Jerry’s and Haagen-Dazs.
Pumpkin Blondies
Chewy, decadent Pumpkin Blondies are something that you can easily whip up in your own kitchen any time you’re craving something sweet that contains pumpkin. They come together a lot like a brownie mix would with ingredients like coconut oil, sugar, pumpkin, and an egg. The end result is a rich, dense dairy-free dessert which will satisfy your sweet tooth for days.
Nabisco Iced Oatmeal Cookies
If you love oatmeal cookies and icing without the dairy, then you’ll love Nabisco’s Iced Oatmeal Cookies! You won’t find a drop of dairy in this sweet, yet satisfying dessert that goes a long way in making you feel full and happy.
Marshmallows and Marshmallow Cream
Made from corn syrup and with absolutely no dairy products whatsoever, you’re free to enjoy marshmallows and marshmallow cream and all of the otherwise dairy-free desserts that contain them to your heart’s content!
Carrot Cake
Why yes, you can make carrot cake without any dairy! Grated carrots, crushed pineapple, and vegetable oil give you a moist texture that can’t be beat, and by making your “cream cheese” frosting with vegan butter and dairy-free cream cheese, you’re able to achieve a delicious carrot cake without any dairy!
Teddy Grahams
Teddy Grahams, along with regular graham crackers, also contain no sort of milk products, making them a great choice for snacks, desserts, and of course crusts for dairy-free pies.
Banana Cream Pie
You may be looking at the screen like it’s grown two heads, but rest assured that this beloved dessert is another one that can be replicated with dairy-free ingredients to substitute their regular ones, such as coconut whipped cream.
Blueberry Crumb Bars
This rich, fruity dessert is created with shortening rather than butter, and then you add a pinch of cinnamon that brings together the tart flavor of the blueberries and the sweet, moist crumble topping.
Biscoff Cookie Spread
If you didn’t realize that these delightful cookies come in a spreadable form, you have no idea what you’re missing out on! Furthermore, if you can’t have dairy products, you don’t have to miss out on this sweet treat! It goes well with non-dairy ice cream and other types of dairy-free cookies, so definitely give it a try!
Were you surprised by how many desserts and dessert products out there are actually dairy-free? Do you think you could tackle any all-time favorite dessert recipes with dairy-free substitutes and make them every bit as good as their dairy-laden counterparts? We hope that this list of the best and most surprising dairy-free desserts and dessert products is a helpful guide on your journey into the world of non-dairy foods and cooking.