Home Vegan Post Simple Vegan Thanksgiving Desserts Perfect for Potlucks

Simple Vegan Thanksgiving Desserts Perfect for Potlucks


Planning dessert for a Thanksgiving potluck is a special kind of challenge. You need something delicious, festive, easy to transport, and simple enough to serve to a crowd with diverse tastes. Add in vegan requirements, and the task can seem even more complex — but it doesn’t have to be. With a little creativity and some thoughtful recipe choices, you can make easy vegan Thanksgiving desserts for potluck gatherings that are every bit as satisfying and celebratory as traditional options.

In this guide, you’ll find crowd-friendly dessert ideas, preparation tips, travel hacks, flavor combinations, and presentation strategies — all designed to create desserts that make your dish the hit of the holiday table. These recipes are intentionally simple, accessible, and adaptable so that anyone, from beginner bakers to experienced cooks, can prepare a potluck-ready treat with confidence.

And as you prepare for your plant-based celebration, consider adding a festive touch with vegan-themed, organic cotton apparel from The Dharma Store — a fun way to express your commitment to cruelty-free living during the holidays.

Why Vegan Desserts Are Perfect for Thanksgiving Potlucks

1. They’re Easily Shareable

Many vegan desserts center around whole foods, simple batters, or fruit-forward flavors, which make them naturally well-suited for serving large groups.

2. They Travel Well

Bakes like bars, cookies, and breads maintain their structure during transport — especially important if you’re driving to another home.

3. They Accommodate Dietary Restrictions

Thanksgiving gatherings often bring together guests with varied dietary needs. Vegan desserts are dairy-free and egg-free by default, making them suitable for many people.

4. They’re Sensory Crowd-Pleasers

Spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger — common in vegan fall baking — evoke classic Thanksgiving comfort.

5. They Avoid Heavy After-Meal Fatigue

After enjoying a big holiday meal, guests often appreciate desserts that aren’t overly rich.

What Makes a Dessert Potluck-Friendly?

A great potluck dessert is:

Easy to Portion

Bars, cookies, and loaf slices offer consistent serving sizes.

Stable at Room Temperature

It should sit out on a dessert table without melting or collapsing.

Simple to Transport

Desserts in baking pans, lidded containers, or wrapped trays keep clean and intact.

Familiar and Crowd-Pleasing

Thanksgiving desserts should feel seasonal and nostalgic.

Make-Ahead Ready

Potlucks are easier when you can prep the dessert 24–48 hours in advance.

Easy Vegan Thanksgiving Desserts for Potluck: Top Crowd-Pleasing Ideas

Below are some of the best vegan desserts to bring to a Thanksgiving gathering. Each one uses accessible ingredients, can be made ahead of time, and travels beautifully.

1. Vegan Pumpkin Pie Bars

Pumpkin pie is the centerpiece of many Thanksgiving dessert spreads. But for a potluck, bars are more convenient than a full pie.

Why They Work Well

  • No slicing mess

  • Easy to portion

  • Travel-friendly

  • Classic pumpkin flavor

Flavor Notes

Warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg create a nostalgic taste while coconut milk or cashew cream brings a silky texture.

Make-Ahead Tip

Bars taste even better on day two as the spices develop.

2. Apple Crisp with Oat Topping

Apple crisp is universally loved and simple to make vegan. It’s also forgiving, which is helpful for beginner bakers.

Why It’s Great for Potlucks

  • Serves many

  • Transportable in the same dish you bake it in

  • Warm or room-temperature friendly

  • Easy to reheat

Flavor Enhancers

Try adding vanilla bean, cardamom, or maple syrup for depth.

3. Vegan Maple Pecan Bars

Rich, sticky, and full of toasted nuts, these bars channel the flavors of pecan pie without needing eggs or dairy.

Benefits

  • Simple crust

  • Sweet, buttery filling made from maple syrup and coconut cream

  • Cuts neatly into squares

When to Serve

Perfect for guests who love rich, indulgent desserts.

4. Sweet Potato Pie Squares

Sweet potato pie is already dairy-free-friendly, and making it vegan is surprisingly easy. Like pumpkin pie bars, the square format is best for sharing.

Why Guests Love It

  • Creamy texture

  • Slightly caramelized sweetness

  • Earthy and warming

Potluck Advantage

Stays firm without needing refrigeration.

5. No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Cups

Individual desserts create an elegant presentation while being straightforward to prepare.

Why They’re Ideal

  • No baking required

  • Chill overnight for best texture

  • Easy to transport in jars

Flavor Twist

Add a ginger cookie crust for a spicy bite.

6. Vegan Chocolate Sheet Cake

Every potluck benefits from at least one chocolate option. A sheet cake checks every requirement: large quantity, simple slicing, and minimal fuss.

Why This Cake Works

  • Stays moist without eggs

  • Dairy-free frosting is easy to whip

  • Feeds many guests

Thanksgiving Flavor Boost

Add cinnamon and espresso powder for a warm, rich finish.

7. Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies

Soft, chewy, and studded with tart cranberries, these cookies bring a seasonal spin to a classic dessert.

Potluck Benefits

  • Minimal mess

  • Kid-friendly

  • Easy to stack in containers

Variations

Swap cranberries for cherries or add walnuts for crunch.

8. Vegan Pumpkin Bread with Maple Glaze

A loaf cake travels exceptionally well and slices easily into tidy portions.

Why This Works for Crowds

  • Familiar pumpkin flavor

  • Dense, moist texture

  • Optional glaze for extra sweetness

Pro Tip

Bake two loaves — they disappear quickly.

9. Spiced Poached Pears with Caramel Sauce

For a more sophisticated dessert option, poached pears offer festive elegance without requiring animal products.

Why They’re Great

  • Gluten-free and allergen-friendly

  • Light and refreshing

  • Serve chilled or room temperature

Serving Suggestion

Drizzle vegan caramel and sprinkle crushed nuts.

10. Vegan Berry Crumble Bars

These bars combine the best parts of pie and cookies, with a crumb topping that holds firm in transit.

Why Potlucks Love Them

  • Tangy berry flavor cuts through heavy holiday foods

  • Easy to store

  • Simple to portion

Tips for Transporting Vegan Desserts to a Thanksgiving Potluck

Getting your dessert to the potluck safely is just as important as preparing it well. Here’s how to ensure it arrives intact:

1. Choose a Container with a Secure Lid

Reusable baking pans with lids keep crumbs, icing, and toppings protected.

2. Chill Desserts Before Transport

Firm desserts are less likely to shift or break.

3. Use Cardboard Trays or Boxes

Extra support prevents tipping in the car.

4. Keep Toppings Separate

If your dessert needs whipped cream or sauce, add it at the event.

5. Bring a Serving Utensil

Potlucks often run out of spoons or cake servers.

Make-Ahead Schedule for Easy Potluck Prep

To minimize holiday stress, plan your dessert timeline:

48 Hours Before

  • Bake bars, cookies, and loaves

  • Make no-bake cheesecakes

  • Prepare crusts for pies

24 Hours Before

  • Bake apple crisp or pumpkin pie bars

  • Make glazes, frostings, or toppings

  • Slice breads and store in airtight containers

Day Of

  • Add any final touches

  • Transfer desserts to travel containers

  • Label desserts if they contain nuts

Flavor Combinations for a Potluck-Worthy Vegan Dessert Table

If you're coordinating a Thanksgiving potluck or contributing more than one dessert, keeping flavor balance in mind can elevate the entire spread.

Sweet + Tart

  • Pumpkin bars

  • Cranberry cookies

Rich + Light

  • Chocolate cake

  • Poached pears

Classic + Modern

  • Sweet potato pie squares

  • No-bake cheesecake cups

Warm Spices + Fresh Citrus

  • Maple pecan bars

  • Orange-zest pumpkin bread

These combinations give guests multiple options without overwhelming the palate.

Presentation Tips to Make Your Dessert Stand Out on the Table

At potlucks, presentation helps your dessert get noticed. Try these simple ideas:

1. Use Seasonal Garnishes

  • Pepitas

  • Toasted pecans

  • Cranberries

  • Cinnamon sticks

  • Fresh rosemary sprigs

2. Bring a Decorative Tray

Even simple cookies look elevated when arranged on a pretty platter.

3. Label Your Dish Clearly

Include the name and mention that it’s vegan. This encourages more people to try it.

4. Add a Touch of Personal Style

Wearing a festive vegan-themed t-shirt from The Dharma Store can be a great conversation starter as you set out your dessert.

Final Thoughts

Bringing easy vegan Thanksgiving desserts for potluck gatherings doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor, texture, or festive appeal. With the right recipe and a bit of planning, you can create desserts that impress guests, travel effortlessly, and highlight the seasonal ingredients that make Thanksgiving special.

Whether you opt for pumpkin pie bars, apple crisp, maple pecan squares, chocolate sheet cake, or cranberry cookies, the key is keeping things simple, make-ahead-friendly, and shareable. These vegan desserts deliver crowd-pleasing flavors with minimal stress, ensuring your contribution to the potluck is memorable for all the right reasons.

And if you want to bring extra plant-powered cheer to your celebration, check out the vegan-themed apparel at The Dharma Store as you gather with loved ones for the holiday.