7 Vegetable Dessert Recipes You Can Make With Food Scraps

Think veggies and desserts are mutually exclusive when it comes to cooking projects? Think again. Maybe you haven’t made the foray into plant-based treats before, or maybe you're skeptical that vegetable dessert recipes would actually be appetizing. But we're here to convince you they're the best way to use your food scraps.

Dessert recipes have been sneaking in uncommon ingredients for quite a while. Take these pinto bean-based blondies, for example. The taste might deceive you, but they still give you a perfectly satisfying sweet treat. We’ve accepted cornbread and carrot cakes into our baked goods bible, so why not chocolate beet cake, too?

Trust us when we say you won’t want to miss out on these unique and yummy desserts. Whether you’re looking for ways to use up produce before it goes bad or you want to mix up your usual baking routine, try one (or all!) of these vegetable dessert recipes for a sweet surprise.

7 Vegetable Dessert Recipes Worth Trying

1. Zucchini Bread

A new classic of the baked goods universe, zucchini bread can be adapted and reinvented in so many different ways. Think banana bread, but with shredded zucchini instead. Dress it up with fun toppings, like walnuts and chocolate chips.

2. Carrot Cake Cookies

Carrot cake is an old-school favorite, and for many of us, probably our first grudging childhood taste test of a dessert with vegetables baked into it. But have you tried carrot cake cookies? They might be even more delicious.

3. Chocolate Beet Cake

We know what you’re thinking—beet cake doesn't sound super appetizing. But one bite in and you'll change your mind. Puréed beets are added to the cake batter to provide moisture and depth to the rich cocoa flavor.

4. Sweet Potato Pudding

The humble sweet potato is no stranger to desserts. This pudding is pleasingly smooth, earthy-sweet, and really easy to make. It also only takes seven simple ingredients and 10 minutes of your time.

5. Squash Blondies

If you’re bored of pumpkin spice and looking for a new twist on this classic fall flavor, you’ll be pleased to know squash-based desserts—including these blondies!—are finally getting having their moment.

6. Kale Cake

Yep, you read that right: Kale. Cake. If it wasn't for the bright green color, you'd have no idea so many greens are packed into this sweet treat.

7. Cauliflower Ice Cream

Cauliflower is the secret ingredient in this creamy dairy-free ice cream. Combine frozen cauliflower rice, frozen bananas, and honey in the blender, and you're good to go.

Hey there! Want to help us change the world every day through easy, achievable, eco-friendly tips and tricks? Sign up for the Brightly Spot and join our movement of over a million changemakers.