27 Dairy-Free Desserts Every Guest Can Enjoy

Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Ana Kelly Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke

For those of us without food allergies or intolerances, it can be hard to understand how difficult restricted diets can be, especially in the South. When you think of the beloved dishes of our region, decadent comfort foods like fried chicken, casseroles, towering layer cakes, and cobblers come to mind. Unfortunately for our waistlines and anyone with allergies or sensitivities, many Southern foods aren’t exactly inclusive for most diets. Whether you’re lactose-intolerant, vegan, or choose to stay dairy-free for other reasons, we’ve got plenty of dairy-free recipes that ensure you can still indulge in the Southern food you love. These dairy-free desserts are just as delicious as their butter-laden counterparts, and even Mama won’t notice the difference. Even if no one in your immediate family has a dairy sensitivity or allergy, it’s important to keep in mind when hosting. If you’re in charge of Thanksgiving or the neighborhood’s monthly dinner party, a gracious host always asks about allergies or dietary restrictions before the big event. You don’t want any guest feeling ousted or awkward because he or she can’t enjoy the beautiful spread you’ve prepared. With these easy dairy-free dessert recipes, no one will have to go without something sweet at the end of a meal.

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Chocolate-Coconut Pavlova Cake

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos

Recipe: Chocolate-Coconut Pavlova Cake

This dairy-free and gluten-free dessert will be the most beautiful star of your holiday dinner.

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Spiced Coconut-Pumpkin Pie

Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Marian Cooper Cairns

Recipe: Spiced Coconut-Pumpkin Pie

No one at the holiday table will realize this silky-smooth pie is different from last year’s, and your dairy-intolerant guests will thank you.

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Peppermint Divinity

Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Peppermint Divinity

We gave the classic divinity recipe you remember from Grandma’s a festive touch with peppermint.

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Chewy Ambrosia Biscotti

Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Chewy Ambrosia Biscotti

This treat combines the best of old-school ambrosia and buttery biscotti for a dippable delight that’s delicious with your afternoon coffee.

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Angel Food Cake

Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Ana Kelly Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke

Recipe: Angel Food Cake

This light-as-air cake is the perfect fluffy finale for your meal. Top with our festive Sparkling Cranberries or any red or green fruit for Christmas.

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Pear Pie

Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Pear Pie

The filling of this pie is dairy-free, but be sure to buy your own refrigerated pie crusts or use our Coconut Pie Crust for a completely dairy-free dessert.

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Red-and-White Meringue Kisses

Southern Living

Recipe: Red-and-White Meringue Kisses

Add a kiss of holiday cheer to the dessert table with these pretty but simple meringues.

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Easiest Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe

Southern Living

Recipe: Easiest Peanut Butter Cookies

It doesn’t get simpler than this classic four-ingredient cookie recipe. It makes the perfect after-school project for the kids.

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Salted Caramel-Apple Hand Pies

Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Katie Jacobs

Recipe: Salted Caramel-Apple Hand Pies

These adorable apple pies make a great treat for kids (no mess!) or on-the-go adventures.

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Grandma’s Cinnamon-Sugar Cookies

Rebecca Angel Baer

Recipe: Grandma’s Cinnamon-Sugar Cookies

This dairy-free cookie recipe has been in one editor’s family for generations, and they’re so delicious, they’ll become a part of your family’s Christmas traditions, too.

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Spiced Coconut-Cherry Mold

Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Spiced Coconut-Cherry Mold

There’s nothing like an old-school gelatin salad to get everyone in the nostalgic holiday spirit, and unlike Grandma’s lime creation, this one is actually beautiful and delicious.

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Toasted Coconut Hot Chocolate

Greg DuPree

Recipe: Toasted Coconut Hot Chocolate

No one at your White Elephant party will know that this rich, chocolatey sipper is actually dairy-free!

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Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

Even Santa can go dairy-free this Christmas with this classic chocolate chip cookie recipe.

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Apple Cranberry Pie

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Apple Cranberry Pie

The filling of this seasonal pie is totally dairy-free, but be sure to use store-bought refrigerated pie dough or make our Coconut Pie Crust homemade for a fully dairy-free dessert.

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Orange Palmiers

Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Orange Palmiers

With just four ingredients, you can serve up these festive, gorgeous holiday cookies to guests.

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Vegan Brownies

Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Vegan Brownies

This holiday season, serve fudgy, extra-chocolatey brownies that every guest can swoon over.

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Apple Bread

Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Apple Bread

Make one loaf for your family and give one as a sweet hostess gift.

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Our Best Homemade Marshmallows

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Our Best Homemade Marshmallows

Perfect atop a warm mug of hot chocolate on Christmas Eve, these fluffy marshmallows would also make precious homemade gifts in a mug with hot chocolate mix.

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Shaker Lemon Pie

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Ana Kelly

Recipe: Shaker Lemon Pie

This old-school Junior League recipe is a fun, dairy-free way to showcase winter citrus at your holiday.

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Meringue Pillows with Blueberry-Mint Compote

Photo: Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Meringue Pillows with Blueberry-Mint Compote

You can top these Instagram-ready meringues with whatever fruit is in season.

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Christmas Snow Salad

Jennifer Causey

Recipe: Christmas Snow Salad

This recipe from our November 1982 issue has all the old-school, jiggly charm you could ask for from a congealed salad.

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Rustic Plum Tart

Photo: Charles Walton IV

Recipe: Rustic Plum Tart

This fresh fruit tart adds beautiful color to your dessert table.

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Vegan Banana Bread

Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Vegan Banana Bread

If you didn’t think classic banana bread could taste amazing without dairy, think again.

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Freezer Peach Pie

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Freezer Peach Pie

This summer, save the best of the season and you’ll have a freezer full of pie fillings waiting to be enjoyed just as you’re missing fresh summer peaches.

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Wreath Macaroons

Alison Miksch

Recipe: Wreath Macaroons

You only need a few ingredients to bake these adorable holiday cookies that the kids will love to make with you.

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Lemon Cupcakes with Lavender Frosting

Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Lemon Cupcakes with Lavender Frosting

Frosting is usually full of dairy, but this pretty topping isn’t!

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Fig-and-Raspberry Cobbler

Southern Living

Recipe: Fig-and-Raspberry Cobbler

Most cobblers are topped with butter before going in the oven, so your dairy-free friends will be excited to learn this one is safe to eat.

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27 Dairy-Free Desserts Every Guest Can Enjoy

1 of 27

Chocolate-Coconut Pavlova Cake

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Spiced Coconut-Pumpkin Pie

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Peppermint Divinity

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Chewy Ambrosia Biscotti

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Angel Food Cake

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Pear Pie

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Red-and-White Meringue Kisses

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Easiest Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe

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Salted Caramel-Apple Hand Pies

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Grandma’s Cinnamon-Sugar Cookies

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Spiced Coconut-Cherry Mold

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Toasted Coconut Hot Chocolate

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Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

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Apple Cranberry Pie

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Orange Palmiers

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Vegan Brownies

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Apple Bread

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Our Best Homemade Marshmallows

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Shaker Lemon Pie

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Meringue Pillows with Blueberry-Mint Compote

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Christmas Snow Salad

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Rustic Plum Tart

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Vegan Banana Bread

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Freezer Peach Pie

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Wreath Macaroons

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Lemon Cupcakes with Lavender Frosting