If you're new to plant-based meal planning, desserts can be daunting. But they needn't be. There are now so many vegan alternatives on the market there's a substitute for just about every ingredient – even for baking. With that in mind, we've pulled together five of Sephra's top vegan dessert ideas, which couldn't be easier to make. Even better, three of them are no-cook!

No-Egg Banoffee Meringues 

You will need:

• 400g can of chickpeas
• 100g golden caster sugar
• 1x carton Elmlea 100% Plant Based Double Cream Alternative 
• 2 or 3 ripe bananas
• 1x Sephra Toffee Topping Sauce 

How to make:

1. Preheat the oven to 230 degrees fahrenheit (or 194 for fan ovens) and line a baking tray with greaseproof paper.
2. Drain the chickpeas over a sieve into a bowl. It's the chickpea water you want rather than the chickpeas, but you can save those for later.
3. Whisk the chickpea water with an electric whisk as you would egg whites until soft peaks form. Then add the sugar a little at a time, whisking as you go until the mixture is thick and glossy.
4. Expect to whisk the mixture for longer than you normally would to achieve the same consistency.
5. Once the mixture holds its shape (you can turn it upside down if you like), pipe little blobs of around 8cm onto the lined baking tray.
6. Leave to bake for approx. 1hr 15mins or until crisp and leave to cool.
7. Finally, chop your bananas into discs and whip the plant-based double cream alternative before layering onto your meringues and finishing with a healthy drizzle of warm toffee sauce.

Vegan Vanilla Waffles with Maple Syrup 

Belgian waffles smothered in your favorite topping sauce are undeniably delicious – and you can have them at any time of day! Whether you choose to make them for breakfast, lunch or dinner, here are our tips for making fluffy, Maple Syrup-soaked vegan waffles every time...

You will need: 

• Sephra Belgian Waffle Mix 
• 8.5 cups water
• Sephra Canadian Maple Syrup 
• Fruit and/or Elmlea 100% Plant Based Double Cream Alternative to decorate

How to make: 

1. Measure out the required amount of waffle mix. Each 5lb bag will make around 30-35 Belgian Waffles in a Sephra Belgian Waffle Baker.
2. For each 5lb bag, add 2 liters (8.5 cups) of cold water to the mix and whisk until smooth.
3. Pour approximately 5oz of batter onto your preheated baker and cook for two minutes.
4. Now coat with a generous amount of Maple Syrup and add fruit or whipped cream alternative.

Lent-Worthy Lotus Biscoff Cheesecake 

Did you know Lotus Biscoff biscuits are vegan? Yes, really! And so too is our new Lotus Biscoff Topping Sauce – just one of the ingredients in this delicious vegan dessert.

You will need:

• 1x packet Lotus Biscoff Biscuits
• 2-3tbsp Coconut Oil
• 2-3tbsp sugar
• 300g vegan cream cheese
• 1tsp natural vanilla essence
• 1tbsp cornstarch
• 2tbsp lemon juice
• Lotus Biscoff Topping Sauce

How to make: 

1. Line your baking tin with aluminium foil and make the base by crushing Lotus Biscoff Biscuits till no more than a crumb and mixing with coconut oil and sugar.
2. Press the mixture into the baking tin, letting it come slightly up the sides.
3. To make the cheesecake filling, beat the vegan cream cheese until smooth then add the rest of the ingredients (coconut cream, sugar, cornstarch, vanilla, and lemon juice), and beat until very smooth.
4. Pour the smooth filling over the crust and spread it evenly.
5. Pop it into the fridge to chill.
6. Once set firm, decorate with the Topping Sauce and whole or crushed Lotus Biscoff Biscuits.

Mouthwatering Mint Choc Chip Cooler 

You will need: 

• Homemade or shop-bought vegan Mint Choc Chip ice cream (we love this recipe from the Minimalist Baker)
• Elmlea 100% Plant Based Double Cream Alternative whipped
• Vegan brownie chunks
• Vegan wafers to decorate
• Sephra Dark Chocolate Topping Sauce 
• Sprig of mint

How to make: 

1. Simply assemble as you would any sundae, adding whatever your heart desires! Layer the ice cream and vegan Brownie chunks or even mini Oreos (which are vegan).
2. Go on, experiment. You can get as creative as you like.
3. Finally, top with whipped cream and a sprig of mint. Pop in a couple of wafers and drizzle with topping sauce for a delicious vegan dessert.

Free-From Fondue 

Chocolate fountains are a popular choice for weddings and other events, but they don't necessarily have to be as big as this one! Sephra's Home Chocolate Fondue Fountains continue to grow in popularity and are ideal for home entertaining. After all, it's not just dessert – it's entertainment and certainly brings people together. Here's all you need to create the ultimate vegan dessert showstopper – whether you're going all out for a big function, or having a family night in... 

You will need: 

• Sephra Belgian Dark Chocolate (the amount will depend on the size of your fountain)
• Wooden skewers 
• Napkins or drip trays
• Vegan dipping items, such as fresh fruit, Lotus Biscoff biscuits, Oreos, mini churros, or marshmallows

Now, go forth and enjoy! You might also like... https://www.sephrausa.com/blog/vegan-topping-sauces/