8 epic vegan desserts: unicorn milkshakes, mac and cheese doughnuts and Oreo Biscoff eclairs prove vegans can sure have their cake and eat it, too
From Taipei’s Nice Cream to Melbourne’s Mister Nice Guys, Berlin’s Delabuu, Portland’s Doe Donuts, New York’s The Cinnamon Snail and Vx London – eat your way around the world with our 8 favourite vegan desserts
Contemporary culture is unavoidably obsessed with capturing that perfect food photo – and colourful, mouthwatering desserts have emerged at the forefront of this trend. Everyone loves a sweet treat that’s not only delicious, but also a feast for the eyes.
With veganism on the rise, finding these indulgent and photographic delights made from plant-based ingredients is becoming easier. Think: traditional dairy ice cream made with almond, cashew or soy; gorgeous meringues created from aquafaba (chickpea water); and puddings and sweet toppings crafted from coconut. In short, vegan desserts are entering a league of their own.
Here’s a few of our favourite places around the world with memorable and indulgent vegan desserts that also provide that perfect Instagramable snap.
Gelato waffle from Nice Cream (Taipei, Taiwan)
Taiwan’s Nice Cream is a well-known spot not only for the deliciously smooth gelato, but also its Hong Kong-style bubble waffles. Traditionally made with egg, these vegan-friendly waffles are completely plant-based and are cooked right in front of you, in chocolate, green tea and vanilla varieties. The waffle is then filled with your choice of gelato, which comes in a range of flavours including sesame, milk tea and Oreo, which is covered with toppings. This decadent treat is creamy, crispy and completely worth every calorie.
Unicorn milkshake from Mister Nice Guys (Melbourne, Australia)
This vegan bakeshop describes itself as having “weird and wonderful concoctions”, which is always a good sign. Their cupcakes are to die for, but their milkshakes are incredibly Insta-worthy, with the Unicorn Milkshake being the most impressive. This violet shake has confetti sprinkles, candyfloss and even a unicorn horn. The flavours rotate daily, which gives an excuse to visit here multiple times.
Build your own cinnamon roll from Cinnaholic (multiple locations across the USA)
Building your own ice cream sundae is so old-fashioned – building your own vegan cinnamon roll is where it’s at nowadays. This 100 per cent vegan franchise has rapidly expanded within the past few years, and for good reason. Imagine a warm, gooey, freshly-baked cinnamon roll covered with any topping of your choosing, including icing, fresh fruit, whipped cream and cookies. We recommend the unofficial “bake sale” cinnamon roll, which includes cake batter icing, brownies, cookie dough and chocolate sauce, with added strawberries.