Last-Minute New Year Dessert Ideas!
By Liana Werner-Gray
As we step into the New Year, I’m so excited to share some of my favorite last-minute dessert recipes with you! Whether you’re hosting a celebration or enjoying a quiet evening at home, these natural treats are quick, easy, and absolutely delicious. I’ve personally crafted each recipe to bring a little extra joy and sweetness to your New Year festivities. These desserts are perfect for sharing with loved ones or savoring on your own.
1. Indulgent Vegan Pecan Pie
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 10
Ingredients:
Crust:
- 1-1/2 cups Bob’s Red Mill Paleo Flour
- ½ tsp. salt
- ½ cup vegan butter
- 3-4 Tbsp. Plant-Based Milk (cold)
Filling:
- 3/4 cup Nutiva Coconut Sugar
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 2 Tbsp. Nutiva Coconut Oil with Buttery Flavor (melted)
- 1/2 cup Plant-Based Milk
- 2 Tbsp. Nutiva Refined Coconut Oil
- 1/4 cup tapioca flour or Bob’s Red Mill Baking Flour
- 2 Tbsp. SunButter Sunflower Butter
- ½ tsp. salt
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup pecans (coarsely chopped)
Top:
- 3/4 cup whole pecans
Actions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a mixing bowl, combine crust ingredients to form a dough. Press evenly into a 9-inch pie pan.
- In another bowl, mix all filling ingredients until well combined. Pour into the crust. Arrange pecans on top.
- Bake for 35 minutes, or until the center is set. Cool completely before slicing.
2. Homemade Turtles Candy
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 20
Ingredients:
- 100 pecans (about 2 packages)
- 1 tsp. Redmond Real Salt Sea Salt
- 3/4 cup Hu Chocolate Gems
Caramel:
- 1 cup pitted dates (soaked in warm water for 15 minutes)
- 2 Tbsp. SunButter Organic Sunflower Butter
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 tsp. maca powder
- 1/4 tsp. Redmond Real Salt Sea Salt
- 6 Tbsp. maple syrup
Actions:
- Arrange 5 pecans in clusters on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Blend caramel ingredients in a food processor until smooth. Spoon onto pecan clusters and freeze briefly.
- Melt chocolate over low heat and drizzle over clusters. Refrigerate until set.
3. Black Forest Layer Cake (Gluten-Free)
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 10
Ingredients:
Cakes:
- 2 packages Simple Mills Chocolate Cake Mix
- 6 organic eggs
- 2/3 cup olive oil
- 1-1/3 cup water
- 2 Tbsp. vanilla extract
Frosting:
- 2 cans (10 oz.) coconut cream (chilled)
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 tsp. cacao powder
- 2 Tbsp. SunButter Sunflower Butter
- 1/8 tsp. Redmond Real Salt Sea Salt
Topping:
- 1-1/2 cups cherries
Actions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare cake layers according to package instructions. Cool completely.
- Whisk frosting ingredients until smooth.
- Layer cakes with frosting between each layer and on top. Garnish with cherries.
4. Chocolate Pear Tart
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 12
Ingredients:
Crust:
- 1-1/3 cup King Arthur Gluten-Free Flour
- 1/4 tsp. sea salt
- 3/4 cup coconut sugar
- 1/2 cup vegan butter
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 tsp. ice water
Filling:
- 2 ripe but firm pears (halved, cored, thinly sliced)
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
- 3/4 cup coconut cream
Chocolate Topping:
- 1 cup Hu Dark Chocolate Gems
- 1/2 cup walnuts
- Fresh mint
Actions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Mix crust ingredients and press into a tart pan. Bake for 15 minutes and cool.
- Mix filling ingredients and pour over pears arranged in the crust. Bake for 20 minutes and cool.
- Melt chocolate, drizzle over tart, and garnish with walnuts and mint.
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These recipes were originally published on my Vitacost blog, where you can purchase all the ingredients at a discounted price. Visit Vitacost.com to shop.
Use these codes for 10% off in 2026.
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Happy New Year! Remember this is the year of having your cake and eating it too - it just has to be the right type of cake, made with real, whole food ingredients.
Love, Liana
