12 Make-Ahead Vegan Christmas Sweets


Christmas is a busy time for many, especially for those providing the lion's share of the nourishment. Sweet indulgences of course occupy a central role at this time of year and must be taken into account. Thankfully many treats can be prepared ahead of time and offered up when needed. The recipes presented here are not only easy to make and enjoyable year-round, but also good for you while satisfying a seemingly insatiable craving for sweetness. Additionally, all of the recipes are vegan-friendly, and that's another bonus because you'll be able to cater to a wider variety of tastes and preferences.

Check out these and other Christmas treat ideas on Vegan Treats and Sweets for the Holidays


Santa's Panforte
Santa's Panforte

Nut and dried fruit shine in a chunky, sweet and chewy candy that won't last long. Thankfully this recipe yields a good number of bites, and can be made well in advance. Each nibble of this heavenly bark offers a variety of textures and flavors, tantalizing the tastebuds as it pleases them. Though an ideal holiday treat, I think you ought to have some on hand all year around for a quick and really rather healthy bite.

Not-So-Guilty Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls
Not-So-Guilty Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

These divine peanut butter chocolate-coated balls with a bit of crunch from rice crisp cereal are a healthier take on a classic that I fondly remember from childhood. A snap to make up, made with real peanut butter and sweetened naturally with maple syrup, these keep well in the fridge for a good few weeks. Due to their addictive quality, it's best to double or triple the batch, otherwise they might not last until Christmas. In fact, they won't last long no matter when they are on hand.

Raw Peanut Butter Fudge
Raw Peanut Butter Fudge

Christmas would be incomplete without fudge. No one will complain if you serve up some no-bake creamy freezer fudge made with peanut butter, cocoa and coconut oil and naturally sweetened with maple syrup. It's very rich and only one piece or maybe two is required to satisfy a craving for a sweet treat, so it's pretty much guilt-free if the urge to overindulge is resisted.

Cocoa Fruit Treats
Cocoa Fruit Treats

All you need is a food processor to whiz up a fruity treat that includes not only dried fruits, but also pistachios, cocoa and a hint of heat from chili. An additional bonus is there is no added sugar — just the natural sweetness from the dates, prunes and cranberries. Roll the mixture up in a log, chill, slice and serve when the urge for dose of sweetness is too much to resist.

Raw Cocoa Gingerbread Brownies
Raw Cocoa Gingerbread Brownies

Fancy in appearance, but short on preparation time, these rich and fudgy brownies can mostly be in advance, except for the topping, which comes together in little time at all. A unique approach to gingerbread, this dessert is truly unforgettable.

Cocoa Nut Butter No-Bake Fudge
Cocoa Nut Butter No-Bake Fudge

Creamy, rich and simply heavenly, you can easily make up a batch of some nutty fudge with pistachios, almond butter and coconut oil and freeze. Each chunk is a bite of bliss. An additional bonus is that no food processor is required.

Raw Peanut Butter Cocoa Maple Squares
Raw Peanut Butter Cocoa Maple Squares

Chocolate is a craving many of us have year round and it's certainly desirable and usually present during the festive season. What better than chocolate and peanut butter? Simple and raw, and just as rich and decadent-tasting as a sugary peanut butter chocolate bar, these bars are a healthy alternative because they're loaded with nuts and coconut oil and sweetened only with dates and a little maple syrup.

Flourless and Egg-Free Peanut Butter Cookies
Flourless and Egg-Free Peanut Butter Cookies

Holiday gatherings would be incomplete without cookies, and these very peanut-y cookies without dairy and flour are just as delicious as rich buttery versions. With only four ingredients and gently baked, this might easily become a staple recipe year-round.

Cocoa Almond Brownie Bites
Cocoa Almond Brownie Bites

Fun to make up, there are lots of pleasant textures and flavors mingling in these nutty chocolatey bites. Almonds are a fine feature of any raw treat, and here they meet up with hemp seeds and cocoa. Sweetened with a small quantity of coconut sugar, these have a fudge-like quality that makes them hard to resist.

Raw Peanut and Coconut Butter Fudge
Raw Peanut and Coconut Butter Fudge

This dairy-free maple fudge with a nutty twist is rich and creamy and sweetened with pure maple syrup. With only four ingredients, not only can the fudge be prepared ahead of schedule, but because it's so easy to make, it's a good solution when you want to whip up a treat on short notice.

Peanut Butter Truffles
Peanut Butter Truffles

Truffles are one of those blissful indulgences that are often reserved for special occasions. That doesn't need to be the case as there is no reason to feel guilty about having a enchanted moment or two with a few rich and creamy date-sweetened nutty balls of peanut butter goodness.

Chickpea Flour Fudge
Chickpea Flour Fudge

For something a little different, you'll definitely want to offer up some simple buttery chickpea flour and sesame seed fudge. Slightly crumbly but creamy at the same time, shortbread meets halva for an unforgettable taste experience.

1 comment:

Shaheen said...

I totally love these. I am not one for making biscuits and cookies this time of year, but these I would happily make - undecided which ones to make first though, so I am bookmarking this page to revisit later. Thank you sooooo much for sharing.