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    Home > Recipe Index > Desserts > BEST Gluten Free Christmas Desserts (Make Ahead!)

    BEST Gluten Free Christmas Desserts (Make Ahead!)

    Published: Dec 2, 2020 · Modified: Dec 8, 2021 by Nicki Sizemore · This post may contain affiliate links

    A grid of gluten free Christmas desserts.
    A grid of gluten free Christmas desserts.

    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

    Gingerbread Cake

    A piece of gluten free gingerbread cake on a plate.

    It wouldn't be the holidays without a batch of this moist and tender gingerbread cake. The cake is fragrant with cinnamon and molasses, with a kick from fresh ginger. An easy maple cream cheese frosting takes it over the top (it's so good). Scroll down to see how you can transform the cake into a trifle!

    Gingerbread Trifle

    Gluten free gingerbread trifle in serving glasses.

    Transform the gingerbread cake into this stunning trifle, featuring homemade vanilla pudding, chopped English toffee and whipped cream. It's a festive holiday dessert that's sure to steal the show!

    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 a tender, luscious texture, and you can't taste it at all. It gets topped with a simple but irresistible cocoa whipped cream frosting (that might just ruin you for all other frostings).

    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!).

    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 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.

    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, fresh berries and a drizzle of dark chocolate.

    Cherry Ricotta Cake

    Cherry ricotta cake on a platter with whipped cream alongside.

    This cherry ricotta cake is ultra moist and tender with an irresistible almond flavor. It's a cinch to make using frozen, pitted cherries. You can take it over the top with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream, or you can serve it for brunch!

    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.

    Lemon Olive Oil Cake

    The cake on a platter with a large wedge cut out.

    For a bright finish to a holiday feast, try this lemon olive oil cake. The easy cake gets a triple dose of lemon flavor from lemon zest, lemon juice and a 2-ingredient lemon glaze (oh swoon). It gets even better with time, so go ahead and make it a day or two before serving.

    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. A thick layer of soft fudge tops it off.

    Cinnamon Vanilla Apple Galette

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

    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.

    Mascarpone cheesecake

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

    With a press-in biscotti crust, a creamy no-bake filling, and a sweet cherry jam topping, this no-bake mascarpone cheesecake is a cinch to make but seriously stunning. Best of all, the cake is frozen instead of baked, and it can be completely made ahead.

    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).

    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 juicy fresh fruit. You can make mini pavlovas or one large one, and you can use any fruit you like (orange and grapefruit segments are beautiful for Christmas).

    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 easy gluten free holiday dessert that tastes like Christmas, you've got to try these cherries in port over whipped ricotta. Frozen cherries are infused with port and vanilla then are served over sweet ricotta (it tastes just like cheesecake!).

    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.

    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.

    GLUTEN FREE COOKIES & TREATS

    Raspberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies

    Raspberry Almond Thumbprint cookies on a serving platter.

    These raspberry almond thumbprint cookies have an irresistible sweet almond flavor, a chewy center and a burst of sweet jam in the center. Best of all, they’re naturally paleo, dairy-free, and they can easily be made vegan!

    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.

    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. 

    FAQs

    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.

    I'd love to answer any of your questions and see what you're cooking!! Don't forget to rate this recipe and leave a comment below. Follow along on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube & Pinterest, and be sure to tag @fromscratchfast so that I can share your creations!

    More Desserts

    • Healthy Gluten Free Apple Honey Cake (Paleo!)
    • Gluten Free Pie Recipes (+ New Class!)
    • Easy Maple Glaze (for donuts, scones, cakes and more!)
    • Easy Homemade Strawberry Sauce (and how to serve it!)

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Cindy says

      December 10, 2020 at 9:18 am

      Thank you, Nicki, for this wealth of lovely ideas and recipes. This winter may be the perfect time to try your recipes in preparation for when we all can gather again. You are the best!

      Reply
      • Nicki Sizemore says

        December 10, 2020 at 9:20 am

        Thank you so much Cindy! I am so excited to be able to gather with friends again... Baking definitely helps. 🙂

        Reply

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    Welcome! I’m Nicki Sizemore, a trained chef, recipe developer and cookbook author. My mission is to help you make wholesome & delicious food from scratch without spending hours in the kitchen. All of my recipes are naturally gluten-free.

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