Gluten free Christmas Desserts

These mouthwatering gluten free Christmas desserts will appeal to all eaters at the table! From classic cakes, to buttery pies, to show-stopping tarts, cookies and more, these gluten free holiday desserts are the perfect finale to any special occasion feast. Anybody can master these easy recipes, and all of them can be made ahead!

GLUTEN FREE CAKES

Chocolate Quinoa Cake with Cocoa Whipped Cream Frosting

Chocolate quinoa cake with cocoa whipped cream frosting on a cake plate.

This is the ULTIMATE chocolate cake, and you’d never know it’s made with quinoa instead of flour! The quinoa gives the cake an ultra tender, luscious texture (and you can’t taste it at all). It gets topped with a super simple but irresistible cocoa whipped cream frosting (that might just ruin you for all other frostings). This cake is a must-try!

Easy Carrot Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

Slice of gluten free carrot cake on a plate with a fork.

For a lightened up take on a classic, you have to try this healthy carrot cake! It has a rich, classic flavor, but it just happens to be gluten free and naturally sweetened. Best of all, the cake batter gets whipped together in a Vitamix blender or food processor (meaning no shredding of carrots!). A maple cream cheese frosting takes it over the top.

Pumpkin Pound Cake

A slice of gluten free pumpkin pound cake on a plate topped with a scoop of ice cream.

This tender pumpkin pound cake is always a crowd-pleaser! It has a rich pumpkin spice flavor and a creamy bourbon cream cheese glaze (drool!). You can make the cake weeks ahead and freeze it then glaze it before serving. You can also make mini pound cakes, which are perfect for holiday and hostess gifts!

One Bowl Chocolate Cake

gluten free chocolate almond cake on plate with whipped cream

If chocolate is your thing, then this easy, one-bowl chocolate almond cake is for you. It’s a cinch to make, and it can be dressed up with whipped cream and berries for a beautiful finale to a Christmas dinner.

STUNNING GLUTEN FREE PIES

Peppermint Ice Cream Pie

Gluten free ice cream pie for Christmas, on a plate.

If there is a better crowd pleaser than this customizable ice cream pie, I’ve yet to taste it! A quick chocolate cookie crust gets layered with a tapestry of different ice creams – I love peppermint, vanilla and chocolate for the holidays – and a thick layer of soft fudge. It’s a make-ahead dessert that might just steal the show.

Cinnamon Vanilla Apple Galette

Easy apple galette on a marble surface with a slice taken out, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

In my opinion, it isn’t the holidays without an apple pie, and this apple galette is far easier to make than a classic pie but even more delicious. A buttery gluten free pie crust is wrapped around spiced apples, and the galette is baked until the apples are tender and the crust is crisp and flaky.

Creamy Lemon Pie

Creamy lemon pie with almond crust on cake stand, with a piece of pie next to it on a plate.

For a lighter finale, this no-bake creamy lemon pie is practically ethereal. A simple press-in gluten free almond crust holds a silky lemon filling that contains only four ingredients! It’s a heavenly way to finish off a big feast.

Show-Stoppers

Mascarpone cheesecake

Close-up of a slice of no-bake mascarpone cheesecake on a plate with a fork.

You’re not going to believe how easy it is to make this no-bake mascarpone cheesecake! With a press-in biscotti crust, a creamy, almond-scented filling, and a sweet cherry jam topping, it’s the ultimate combination of flavors. Best of all, the cake is frozen instead of baked, and it can be completely made ahead!

Easy Crepe Cake

Crepe cake on a platter with a slice removed.

For a show-stopping dessert that can be made ahead, look no further than this chocolate crepe cake. Tender gluten free crepes are layered with chocolate whipped cream and are topped off with vanilla whipped cream and fresh berries. The whole thing is drizzled with melted dark chocolate for a swoon-worthy treat. 

Dark Chocolate Pavlova

Pavlova on a plate topped with whipped cream and orange segments, with a fork taking a bite.

These mini pavlovas with dark chocolate feature a crispy, chocolate-studded meringue base, billows of whipped cream and fresh fruit for what has to be one of the best desserts EVER. You can use any fruit you like (orange and grapefruit segments are beautiful for Christmas). You can make one large pavlova if you prefer!

CUSTARDS & FRUIT DESSERTS

Crustless Pumpkin Pie Custards

A pumpkin pie custard topped with whipped cream with a spoon.

These individual crustless pumpkin pie custards might just revolutionize your holiday table! They have an incredible texture and flavor, and they’re far easier to make than pie (I promise you won’t miss the crust!).

Cherries in Port with Whipped Ricotta

Two bowls of cherries in port over fresh ricotta, with a hand holding a spoon.

For a festive but super easy gluten free holiday dessert that tastes just like Christmas, you have to try these cherries in port over whipped ricotta. Cherries in a vanilla-infused port syrup are heavenly over sweet ricotta cheese for a dessert that tastes just like cheesecake but that takes only minutes to make!

Cinnamon Ginger Pear Crumble

Gluten free pear crumble on a plate topped with whipped cream.

With warm spiced pears and a buttery oat and nut topping, this pear crumble is perfect for the season. A touch of candied ginger brightens up the flavors, and a dollop of a whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream lends cool contrast.

Lemon Pudding Cakes

Overhead shot of a gluten free lemon pudding cake topped with whipped cream.

These individual lemon pudding cakes have a fluffy, cake-like layer on top and a silky lemon pudding on the bottom. A dollop of whipped cream dresses things up and ties everything together. It’s a light, bright finale to a holiday dinner.

Healthy Apple Crisp

Gluten free apple crisp with ice cream

This easy-to-make, naturally sweetened apple crisp is completely irresistible! It has about half the amount of butter and sugar as traditional versions, but you’d never know it. It’s a light but satisfying dessert that’s always a hit.

GLUTEN FREE COOKIES & TREATS

Mini Maple Pecan Tarts

Mini gluten free pecan Christmas tarts on a piece of parchment paper, drizzled with chocolate.

It wouldn’t be Christmas in my house without a batch of these mini pecan tarts. They’re the ultimate holiday cookie, and you can serve them as they are or take them over the top with a drizzle of dark chocolate. Best of all, the tarts freeze beautifully, meaning you can make them several weeks ahead!

Individual Flourless Chocolate Cakes

Flourless chocolate cake topped with whipped cream on a plate with a fork.

These individual flourless chocolate cakes are like the love child between a brownie, a cupcake and a flourless chocolate cake. As the cakes bake, they develop a light and crunchy top with a rich, brownie-like center. In other words, they’re heaven. 

FAQ

What’s a popular Christmas dessert?

Cakes, pies and trifles are all popular Christmas desserts. In my family we make a different holiday dessert every year, ranging from creamy pumpkin custards, to buttery pies, to classic cakes, to bright lemon puddings.

What desserts are naturally gluten free?

Many custards are naturally gluten free (such as pumpkin custards), as well as flourless chocolate cakes and pavlovas!

What desserts can celiacs eat?

Celiacs can eat all of these gluten free desserts! Just be sure to use certified gluten free oats and flours when needed. If you’re baking regular treats as well as gluten free treats, it’s a good idea to set up a separate gluten free baking station in your kitchen so that you don’t cross contaminate the gluten free batters with wheat flour.

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