There are so many diets nowadays that it's hard to keep track. One diet I do know substantial information on is the raw vegan diet, having tried it myself. A raw vegan is someone who excludes all animal products from their diet and does not consume food cooked over 115°F, or simply eats uncooked food such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds.
While it may sound limiting, there are plenty of raw vegan dessert recipes out there. The only problem is many of them are unhealthy. We slap on the words "raw" or "non-GMO" or "organic" onto something, and it's automatically assumed to be completely nutritious. For example, nuts are good for us, but are they really healthy when you're eating multiple cups at a time by the means of one slice of raw vegan pie? Is an entire cup of agave healthy if it's in a raw vegan cookie?
Raw vegan desserts can be chock full of oils, sugar, and excessive fats and calories. While these foods may be healthy individually, it's the amount and genuine nutrition that affects your body. These 10 delicious, raw vegan desserts include nuts, fruits, and oils mindfully. Time to ditch the veggies and eat some chocolate cake!
1. Double Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake
This recipe is easy, indulgent, and has clean ingredients. There are so many healthy foods in the cheesecake such as walnuts, cacao nibs, and cashews. Walnuts are abundant in Vitamin E, which provide significant protection from heart problems. Cherries contain the important antioxidants anthocyanins and cyanidin. Basically you become a superhero when you eat this cheesecake. Logic.
2. Apple Pie
Who doesn't love a classic? This apple pie is low-fat, nut-free, and full of superfoods like goji berries. It's great when you want an aesthetically pleasing, creative, and low-fat dessert to show your skeptical friends and family.
3. Goddess Greens Chocolate Fudgsicles
Alright, this recipe is seriously healthy. Like healthy enough to eat for breakfast. It's packed with skin-loving foods like pumpkin, spinach, and avocado, yet tastes like a legit fudgesicle from my childhood. It includes zero artificial sweeteners or oils and is super easy to make. I personally omitted the stevia because I felt that it was already sweet enough. I also switched the agave to coconut nectar because I think it's healthier and yummier, but make it to your liking!
4. Carrot Cake Bites
This is such a quick and easy dessert, or an on-the-go snack that packs in a secret veggie (it's carrots, shh). Busy people always tell me that they "don't have time" to eat healthy or make a raw dessert, as many of them take hours of prep, refrigeration, or pixie dust sprinkling.
But with this one, there are no excuses to not make it; it takes 10 minutes to make and two hours of refrigeration, where you can be doing whatever you want. Plus it's filled with great energy-sustaining foods like oats and dates. It's also awesome for a pre- or post-workout snack. I personally love to eat one or two of these to satisfy my sweet tooth after dinner.
5. Coconut Cacao Brownies
This recipe is super simple, only requires seven ingredients, and took me less than 10 minutes to make. It's my go-to for when I want to whip up a quick dessert for the week that isn't just fruit. It's just sweet enough, filling, and versatile. I change up the toppings whenever I make this depending on what's in my pantry. Cacao nibs, coconut shreds, mulberries, or almond pieces are all great options. Plus, when the entire recipe is separated into 12 servings, you'd only consume 1 date and 1/4 cup of nuts per serving!
6. Mini Key Lime Pies
This dessert is tart, creamy, and refreshing. Perfect for the summer! What's even better is that you don't need an oven to make it, so no dripping sweat in your kitchen. The avocado in this recipe provides a buttery texture and the coconut lime combo makes you feel like you're on a tropical island even if you're standing next to a pile of garbage in Midtown, Manhattan.
7. Shortbread Cookies
A raw, gluten-free, sugar-free, vegan shortbread cookie that doesn't taste like cardboard. About time, am I right? My favorite thing about these cookies (besides only having three ingredients and a few spices) is that they incorporate a nut that's not frequently used in these recipes—macadamia nuts.
Macadamia nuts are great for your heart and are delicious in cookies. This recipe is versatile, so feel free to add cacao nibs or a superfood like mesquite. You can also turn them into ice cream sandwiches or a vegan cookie dough shake.
8. Chocolate Molten Lava Cakes
These buckwheat-based treats may not be warm, but boy are they delicious, and healthy to boot. They still deliver that chocolatey, rich taste we all crave despite lacking the typical melt-factor. They're refined sugar-free and only use 1/3 cup of nuts TOTAL. Raw foodie or not, you will love this recipe!
9. Nut-Free Cheesecake
The majority of raw vegan desserts, especially cheesecakes, include nuts, but this one is filled with other ingredients such as buckwheat, pumpkin seeds, and oats. Another upside is that raw cheesecakes are usually labor-intensive but this one is quick, flavorful, and great for beginners!
10. Raspberry and Coconut Glazed Doughnuts
Woah. I did not expect to find a doughnut recipe on my hunt for healthy raw vegan desserts, but I am happily surprised. These doughnuts are filled with simple ingredients and a flawless raspberry flavor. I didn't have a doughnut pan, so I shaped them with my hands and I used my blender instead of a food processor, which worked perfectly!
Make sure to enjoy your food and be confident in the ingredients you're putting in your body. With these raw vegan desserts, I know I am. Now I'm gonna go eat a mini key lime pie and hopefully look like this lady: