Dessert should never be an afterthought, but there is no shame in outsourcing this final course on Thanksgiving. Whether you’re tasked with bringing goodies to a Friendsgiving or preparing to host the entire Thanksgiving fête yourself, having a vegan pie or plant-based sweet treat ready to go will greatly reduce your stress day of, clear room in the oven, and decrease the chances of something going wrong (even the best bakers burn cookies from time to time, and there’s always the off chance of a pumpkin pie not quite setting).
From thick and gooey plant-based pecan pie to an impressive Piecaken, consider these shippable, delectable desserts as a sweet backup for a flawless vegan Thanksgiving feast.
Vegan Thanksgiving dessert ideas
The classic quintet of pies that traditionally round out any Thanksgiving meal—apple, pumpkin, sweet potato, pecan, and pumpkin—are rarely vegan by default. Unless, of course, you’re using a vegan recipe or miraculously grew up in a plant-based household.
Pumpkin, sweet potato, and pecan classically call for eggs in the filling for structural integrity. While apple pie is often devoid of eggs (though always beware a top crust brushed with egg wash), dairy-based butter crusts are all too common. There are a few exceptions with apple pie. Some recipes call for pure shortening instead of butter. When you come across this kind of apple pie, order two slices!
Sage
Despite the heavy use of eggs and dairy in these iconic holiday pies, vegan versions do exist. Countless recipes online and a solid handful of store-bought, fresh, and frozen options offer plant-based solutions to the “What’s for dessert?” question on Thanksgiving.
Whole Foods starts churning out its vegan pumpkin and apple pies around this time of year, and plenty of animal-free options can be found in the freezer section (try Raised Gluten-Free or Wholly Wholesome). In a pinch, Marie Calendar’s, Sarah Lee’s, and Claim Jumper’s frozen fruit pies also happen to be vegan.
Vegan dessert, delivered
Consider these pies a backup plan, though, because the tempting treats below are worthy of the shipping costs. For truly unique, crowd-pleasing vegan Thanksgiving desserts, keep reading to discover the sweet possibilities that can be delivered to your door.
Giselle’s Vegan Kitchen
1 Giselle’s Vegan Kitchen
This storybook-themed, adorably pink Orange County, CA bakery took the leap at a brick-and-mortar in September 2020, and it’s now shipping delectable pies and other delightful treats nationwide. We simply cannot choose between the Apple Crumble, pumpkin, or pecan pie.
Find it here
Sticky Fingers Bakery
2 Sticky Fingers Bakery
Cupcakes, brownies, and frosting-filled sandwiches—you can have it all when you order from this Cupcake Wars champion baker. The DC bakery’s November Cookie of the Month is Apple Butter Oat and German Chocolate—it’s the perfect autumnal finish to a hearty meal.
Find it here
Achatz Handmade Pie Co.
3 Achatz Handmade Pie Co.
This vegan-friendly pie shop nails the classics. The five vegan options—Northern Spy Apple Pie, cherry, blueberry, strawberry rhubarb, and Michigan 4-Berry—all feature a buttery and flaky double crust and a generous amount of sweet fruit filling. They’re incredible on their own and only improve with a mound of vegan vanilla ice cream.
Find it here
Maya’s Cookies
4 Maya’s Cookies
Expecting a crowd this Thanksgiving? Give them cookies. While not a traditional Thanksgiving dessert, cookies are arguably the most shareable sweet out there. Maya’s Fireside Collection features classic seasonal flavors with a delicious twist. Cinnamon Bun, Red Velvet, and Holiday Spice Chocolate Chip offer just a taste of this cozy collection.
find it here
Erin McKenna’s Bakery
5 Erin McKenna’s Bakery
Need a pie for the allergen-averse? The queen of allergen-friendly baked goods (seriously, she launched in 2005) is shipping her holiday pies across the United States. Both the pumpkin and Dutch apple are vegan, gluten-free, and soy-free. You can’t taste it, though—we can tolerate gluten just fine and will go out of our way just for a slice of Erin McKenna’s mouthwatering pies. For the cake aficionados, drop an Apple Crumb Cake in your virtual cart so every guest is satisfied.
find it here
Karma Baker
6 Karma Baker
This dedicated gluten-free and vegan bakery places an emphasis on equally delicious and show-stopping desserts. Apple crumb, pumpkin, and pecan pies are all available for nationwide shipping. Cake lovers should check out the Vegan Gluten-Free Pumpkin Cream Cheesecake Cake, too.
find it here
Shortbread Society
7 Shortbread Society
A delightful mash up between a cookie and a pie, these Vegan Pumpkin Pie Shortbread Bars are perfect for feeding a large family gathering. The three-layer treats feature a melt-in-your-mouth, tender and crumbly shortbread base slathered with a delicately sweet and warm pumpkin pie filling, sandwiched by a thick layer of rich crumble topping. Serve with a generous scoop of non-dairy ice cream to tame the richness of these bars.
find it here
Foxship Bakery
8 Foxship Bakery
Weighing in at a full quarter pound, these cookies are a meal in themselves. You may have to play a round of touch football after dinner to make room for these thick Vegan Apple Butter and Pumpkin Pie Chocolate Chunk hockey-puck-sized cookies, but they’re well worth the wait. Pro tip: serve warm from the oven with a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream. Can’t finish it all? The leftovers freeze beautifully.
find it here
Frankie & Joe’s
9 Frankie & Joe’s Ice Cream
Even if you’re adamant about having pie on Thanksgiving, every pie could use a scoop of decadent vegan ice cream riding shotgun. This vegan, woman-owned scoop shop in Seattle has created a medley of inventive, fall-themed flavors that would perfectly accompany a thick slice of apple pie (or be suitable by themselves). Stock your virtual cart with a pint of Brown Sugar Vanilla or Salty Caramel Ash.
FIND IT HERE
