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Lifestyle

35 Dessert Recipes for Anyone Who Hates Chocolate

This article is written by a student writer from the Spoon University at Vandy chapter.

Every so often, you can count on the fact that you’ll run into a miracle. There’s the person who never used a lanyard freshman year, or the kid who doesn’t like any animals, not even baby ones. And then, there are people who don’t like chocolate.

I know. Take a moment. I certainly had to.

It may be hard to believe, but they do exist. Two close friends of mine are openly anti-chocolate, and because I love them, I have (mostly) accepted that it’s not a passing phase. Luckily, the world of non-chocolate desserts just keeps getting bigger, and these recipes are so good, even the most ravenous chocoholic will love them.

1. Hot Vanilla

non-chocolate

Photo by Abigail Wilkins

First up, the alternative to hot chocolate you’ve always wanted.

2. Cake Batter Milkshake

non-chocolate

Photo by Andrea Kang

Bring all the boys to the yard.

3. Rainbow Cake

non-chocolate

GIF by Domenica Garcia

Perfect for every occasion and one hundred times more Insta-worthy than that monochromatic chocolate cake.

4. DIY Microwaveable Momofuku Birthday Cake Truffles 

Screen Shot 2015 03 25 at 9.38.12 AM

Photo by Jessica Kelly

You heard me. Imitate this fancy bakery’s signature in your microwave and impress all your friends.

5. Cake Batter Blondies

non-chocolate

Photo courtesy of sallysbakingaddiction.com

What’s better than cake batter? Nothing. These bars are like brownies, but for people who hate brownies.

6. Maple Browned Butter Bacon Cupcakes

non-chocolate

Photo by Kelda Baljon

Time to get a little more creative with your cupcake ingredients, folks. Bacon cupcakes are where it’s at.

7. Caramelized Nectarines With Bacon

non-chocolate

Photo by Analiese Trimber

Let’s put bacon on everything. The nectarines make this a balanced meal, right?

8. Apple Crisp

non-chocolate

Photo by Maggie Gorman

Better than apple pie and so much easier, this will let you pretend you’re eating a healthy dessert.

9. Maple Walnut Raisin Stuffed Apple

non-chocolate

Photo by Maggie Gorman

So good, you’ll forget the reasons why you’re eating alone tonight.

10. Apple Pie Cups

non-chocolate

Photo by Susanna Tuan

An American classic, in a cup? Sign me up.

11. Mini Caramel Apple Pies

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Photo by Adam H. Weiss

Maybe you don’t like your pies in a cup  I respect that. Try these mini pies instead.

12. Sea Salt Apple Cider Caramels

non-chocolate

Photo by Holly Birchfield

Amp up the classic flavor combo of apple and caramel with sea salt, and these candies will blow you away.

13. Lazy Morning Banana Cake

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Photo by Kendra Valkema

Hate apples? Try bananas. I’m totally on board with cake for breakfast. #BreakTheNorm

14. Great Grandma’s Banana Bread

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Photo by Mackenzie Barth

If you’re afraid to commit to cake, try this bread. It might actually be healthy.

15. PB&J Banana Bread

non-chocolate

Photo by Alvin Zhou

I have it on good word that this recipe may make dreams come true. Peanut butter is the surefire way to make anything better.

16. Banana Snickerdoodles

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Photo by Emma Delaney

Banana + Cinnamon = Bae.

17. Fluffy Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

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Photo by Gaby Sclezo

Comfort your chocolate-hating-heart with these pillowy rolls. Perfect for a lazy sunday morning.

18. Cinnamon Brown Sugar Bread Pudding

non-chocolate

Photo by Alison Mally

Bread pudding is the most underrated dessert to ever exist, and if you ever doubted it, I’m sure this recipe would put your fears to rest.

19. Gooey Caramel Cinnamon Rolls

non-chocolate

Photo by Jasmine Tang

The only thing better than a cinnamon roll is a cinnamon roll with caramel poured over it.

20. Snickerdoodle Cookie Dough & Pumpkin Ice Cream Sandwiches

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Photo by Sarah Yanofsky

Get a taste of fall on a hot day.

21. Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

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Photo by Bailey Culpepper

Autumn in your mouth, basically.

22. Penuche Pumpkin Pecan Cookies

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Photo by Kristen Yang

Penuche – (n.) a fudge-like candy made with brown sugar, butter, and milk. Make these cookies and you can explore the mysterious penuche yourself.

23. Pumpkin Butter Pecan Gingersnap Rolls

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Photo by Anthony Wan

The autumnal dessert of champions made with only four ingredients.

24. Sweet Potato and Pumpkin Doughnuts

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Photo by Alex Furuya

Put these two seasonal faves together for a truly magical combination.

25. Pumpkin Pie with Sugar Cookie Crust

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Photo by Erica Coulter

It’s never too early to become the hero of Thanksgiving dinner. Once you start combining types of dessert, you know you’ve won.

26. Perfect Pecan Pie

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Photo by Jessica Payne

The most beautiful type of pie there ever was. Gooey and sweet, this slice is not for the faint of heart.

27. Microwave Pralines

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Photo by Becky Hughes

I’ll take pralines over chocolate any day of the week.

28. Peanut Butter Bites

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Photo by Caroline Liu

Take the chocolate chips out and you’re good to go. Is there anything peanut butter can’t improve?

29. Lemon Meringue Pie

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Photo by Jocelyn Hsu

You know what they say: when life hands you lemons, make pie…

30. Lemon Cupcakes with Blackberry Frosting

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Photo by Dara Ades

…and cupcakes work too.

31. Fruity Pebbles Rice Krispie Treats

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Photo by Phoebe Melnick

Do Fruity Pebbles qualify as produce? Close enough.

32. Margarita Bars

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Photo by Analiese Trimber

Turning up for dessert is the way I want to live my life.

33. Wine-Soaked Strawberries

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Photo by Emma Delaney

Take strawberries to the next level.

34. Sticky Toffee Date Cake

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Photo by Tiffany Chen

Eat this cake and ride out a nice toffee high.

35. Chai Caramel Corn

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Photo by Alex Furuya

All this baking is so strenuous. Kick back and relax with some popcorn and Netflix.

Maybe a world without chocolate isn’t such a bad one after all.

Mary Beth is a rising senior at Vanderbilt University with a deep, abiding love for hot chocolate, granola, and Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla ice cream. When she's not running or working on her yoga habit, she loves exploring new cities through their food scene.