Plant-Based Baking Made Easy: Essential Swaps and Sweet Vegan Treats

Once you have mastered the basics of being a plant-based eater, it’s time to start having some fun with it! For those who love to bake, nothing is better than breaking out the rolling pin to whip up a sweet treat. We’ve created a guide to help you turn your vegan dessert dreams into reality.

Mastering the Basics: Essential Ingredients for Plant-Based Desserts

There are three main animal ingredients in baking that you will need to learn how to swap out: milk, eggs, and butter. Luckily, there are multiple options for each.

Milk: There are many dairy alternatives to milk available on the market, including soy, almond, oat, hemp, and coconut milk. It is best to look for unsweetened varieties to make sure you are not adding sugar beyond what the recipe calls for. For most milks, you can use a 1:1 ratio. However, if you use high-fat milk, such as coconut milk, note that it may alter the texture of the recipe. Consider adjusting the ratio of any additional fat sources to balance this out.

Egg Substitutes: Applesauce and bananas can be used as substitutes for eggs as a binder. They also add additional moisture, flavor, and sweetness. If your recipe specifically calls for egg whites, flax and chia eggs are a great option. Never heard of it? Flax and chia “eggs” are formed when you combine the seeds with water and allow them to thicken. This forms a gel-like consistency that can act as a binder. The ratio is approximately 1 Tablespoon of seeds to 3 Tablespoons of water to equal 1 “egg”. Another option is aquafaba, the liquid that remains after soaking or cooking chickpeas. This serves as a great egg white substitute for desserts, offering a meringue-like texture.

Butter: Instead of dairy butter, you can purchase vegan butter sticks and spreads. However, if you are looking for a less processed option, consider coconut oil or cashew butter to provide a rich texture. Olive and avocado oil can also be used as substitutes. They provide the added benefit of swapping out the saturated fats found in butter and even coconut oil with unsaturated fats. Lastly, applesauce and banana can be used as substitutes for butter in certain bread and muffin products.

Easy Plant-Based Dessert Swaps for Classic Favorites

Do you need inspiration to get started? Here are some quick ideas:

Dairy-Free Brownies: Achieve a chewy and fudgy texture by using avocado or banana as a binder instead of eggs.  Look for dairy-free chocolates, or simply use unsweetened cocoa powder and sweeten the dessert yourself with vanilla and sugar.

Creating Vegan Pies and Tarts: For pie or tart crust, replace the butter in the crust with coconut oil or vegetable oil. Opt for a fruit filling and try your hand at making a meringue topping using aquafaba.

Plant-Based Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt: Because ice cream is best with a thick and creamy texture, coconut milk makes an excellent plant-based base. Combine it with a sweetener such as sugar or maple syrup, vanilla extract, and a dash of sea salt for a well-rounded flavor profile. Once you’ve conquered vanilla, you can experiment with other flavors.

Presentation Matters: Making Your Vegan Desserts Irresistible

A dessert isn’t complete without a little flair for visual appeal.  Fresh fruit can provide both color and natural sweetness to complement your dish, especially if you haven't already included fruit in the dish as one of your substitutes. If your dish is already sweet, consider balancing it out with a salty finish by adding a nut topper. If your meal tastes perfect, but you want the added benefit of some color, try an edible flower or herb garnish. Choose one that reflects the current season or holiday if you are celebrating something special. Otherwise, when in doubt, mint makes a great post-dinner palate cleanser that pairs well with many sweet treats.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner don’t have to be the only healthy meals you eat. Even your desserts can align with your health goals! All it takes is a little practice, and of course, taste testing. Let us know your favorite vegan treats in the comments below!