Christmas is a time to be jolly, and these gluten-free Christmas desserts let you enjoy holiday sweet treats without a second thought.
1/29
Flourless Chocolate Torte
From the Recipe Creator:
Here's the perfect dessert for chocoholics—like me! I bake this melt-in-your-mouth torte all the time for special occasions. For an elegant finish, dust it with confectioners' sugar. —Kayla Albrecht, Freeport, Illinois
2/29
Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
These gluten-free gingerbread cookies taste just like the classic version. The aroma of them baking in the oven is sure to put everyone in the holiday spirit. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
3/29
Gluten-Free Sugarplums
From the Recipe Creator:
Lots of moist, fruity flavor and nutty crunch give these sweet/spicy bites a kind of gumdrop richness. They make a delicious addition to cookie trays. Sneak one early—they’ll be gone before you can lick the sugar off your fingers! —Corleen Heidgerken, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
4/29
Festive Meringue Christmas Trees
From the Recipe Creator:
These meringues are eye-catching on the dessert table at a holiday party, and they taste heavenly! Look no further for the perfect treat to get you into the Christmas spirit. —Jenni Sharp, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
5/29
Sticky Toffee Rice Pudding with Caramel Cream
From the Recipe Creator:
Simple rice pudding gets a makeover with this upscale recipe. It has just the right thickness to soak up a hot caramel topping. —Janice Elder, Charlotte, North Carolina
6/29
Christmas Pavlova
From the Recipe Creator:
Crisp and crunchy on the outside, soft and almost marshmallowy on the inside, this elegant pavlova gets dressed up for the holidays. —James Schend Taste of Home Deputy Editor
7/29
Chocolate Creme Brulee
From the Recipe Creator:
Make ramekins of chocolate creme brulee on special occasions like Valentine's Day, anniversaries or simply when you have time to put extra effort into dessert. Finely chopped chocolate is melted into the custard to make it even more decadent. —Julie Andrews, Rockford, Michigan
8/29
Gluten-Free Spritz Delights
From the Recipe Creator:
My daughter has Down syndrome and loves hosting parties, especially on holidays. Cookies always took center stage until she was diagnosed with celiac disease. I decided then to take on gluten-free baking, and these are the best yet—a cross between a shortbread and a sugar cookie. —Cheryl Costilow, Amherst, Ohio
9/29
Chocolate Meringue Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
These light, delicate chocolate meringue cookies are always a hit. Their big chocolate flavor makes it difficult to keep the kids away before they're on the cookie tray! —Edna F. Lee, Greeley, Colorado
10/29
Gluten-Free Red Velvet Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
I just love how pretty a slice of this cake looks for dessert! This gluten-free version still has that great moist, slightly chocolatey flavor that is perfect with a cream cheese frosting. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, KS
11/29
No-Churn Gingerbread Ice Cream
From the Recipe Creator:
Thanksgiving or Christmas is gingerbread time! And this ice cream says it all. I've found that dark brown sugar works better than light. —Jacqueline, McComas, Paoli, Pennsylvania
12/29
Red Wine & Cranberry Poached Pears
From the Recipe Creator:
While being poached, the pear absorbs the sweetness and spice from the sugar, wine, cinnamon and peppercorn. It makes an easy yet elegant dessert that's perfect for a special night. —Kiersten Atkinson, Birmingham, Alabama
13/29
Contest-Winning Hazelnut Toffee
From the Recipe Creator:
This is one of my most-asked-for recipes. It's sweet and buttery with plenty of crunch. You could use dark, milk or even white chocolate and substitute almonds for the hazelnuts if you wish. —Joanne Simpson, Portland, Oregon
14/29
Classic Creme Brulee
From the Recipe Creator:
My favorite dessert is this creme brulee recipe. Recently I was at a party where the guests finished preparing their own desserts by "broiling" the sugar on their portions with a small torch. What a great idea! —Joylyn Trickel, Helendale, California
15/29
Italian Orange-Fig Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
This is one of the first holiday cookies I made when I found out I could no longer eat gluten. In those eight years, six of my family members and friends have also had to give up gluten, so these delicious Italian cookies have now become a treasured holiday tradition for all of us. By the way, no one will know they're gluten free unless you tell them! The cookies last for weeks if stored in a dry place. —Suzanne Banfield, Basking Ridge, New Jersey
16/29
Snowy Raspberry Gelatin Mold
From the Recipe Creator:
This mold is always on our holiday table. The raspberry layer makes an attractive base for the creamy cream cheese layer. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia
17/29
Winter Fruit Macaroons
From the Recipe Creator:
Coconut macaroons with sweetened condensed milk instead of egg whites are my version of a recipe my mom loved. All you do is mix, drop and bake. —Veronica Miller, Aliquippa, Pennsylvania
18/29
Creamy Orange Caramels
From the Recipe Creator:
Each Christmas I teach myself a new candy recipe. Last year I started with my caramel recipe and added a splash of orange extract for fun. This year I just might try buttered rum extract. —Shelly Bevington-Fisher, Hermiston, Oregon
19/29
Gluten-Free Snowballs
From the Recipe Creator:
I took a classic holiday cookie and made it gluten-free. It’s now my husband’s favorite Christmas cookie. They’re so buttery, nutty and sweet—and everyone loves how they crumble in your mouth. —Joan Sarge, Asheville, North Carolina
20/29
Peppermint Ice Cream
From the Recipe Creator:
With flecks of mint candy, this peppermint ice cream recipe is perfect for the holidays. —Berneice Metcalf, Leavenworth, Washington
21/29
Easy Fudge
From the Recipe Creator:
Even though fudge is a classic at Christmastime, people are excited for this chocolate pecan fudge year-round. Switch out the pecans with nuts that you have on hand. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
22/29
Gluten-Free Fig Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
These special cookies definitely don’t taste gluten-free. For added appeal, I soak the figs overnight in a mixture of port and pomegranate juice. —Twinkle30, tasteofhome.com community
23/29
Cranberry Curd Tart
From the Recipe Creator:
The tart flavors of cranberries are cut with sweet orange juice for a balanced flavor in this creamy curd tart. Topped with sugared cranberries and baked in a pecan-oat crust, this dessert will wow guests with its delicious taste and decorative display. —Julie Andrews, Rockford, Michigan
24/29
Mocha-Walnut Macarons
From the Recipe Creator:
This cookie perfectly captures the chocolaty, nutty flavor of my favorite gourmet coffee. —Christine Venzon, Peoria, Illinois
25/29
Gluten-Free Almond Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
My friend loved these gluten-free almond cookies so much, she had to ask for the recipe! Quick and easy, they taste as good as the decadent treats I make using puff pastry and almond paste. Everyone loves them! —Sherri Cox, Lucasville, Ohio
26/29
Gluten-Free Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
These gluten-free chocolate crinkle cookies are a family favorite. The ground almonds make them even better. —Karen Kelly, Germantown, Maryland
27/29
Apricot-Nut White Fudge
From the Recipe Creator:
We look forward to this luscious apricot-studded fudge every Christmas. It's easy to make and it melts in your mouth. I wrap up small squares of the candy with ribbon and silk holly; it makes wonderful gifts for friends and family! —Betty Claycomb, Alverton, Pennsylvania
28/29
Perfect Peppermint Patties
From the Recipe Creator:
I make lots of different candy at Christmas to give as gifts. It can be time-consuming, but it’s worth it to see the delight it brings people. Calling for just a few ingredients, this candy is one that is quite simple to prepare. —Joanne Adams, Bath, Maine
29/29
Meringue Snowballs In Custard
From the Recipe Creator:
My family has passed down this elegant dessert generation by generation. It started with my Russian great-grandmother, who traveled to America more than 100 years ago. I love continuing the tradition with her recipe. —Tonya Burkhard, Palm Coast, Florida
Gluten-Free Christmas Desserts FAQ
What are easy gluten-free desserts for Christmas?
Some easy gluten-free Christmas desserts include gingerbread cookies flavored with warm spices, festive meringue Christmas trees and no-bake treats with ground nuts and dried fruit, perfect for fruitcake lovers. You could also make seasonally flavored ice cream or a whimsical gelatin mold that are short on prep time and then just need to set in the refrigerator or freezer.
Is it possible to make gluten-free holiday cookies that taste great?
Gluten-free cookies can taste just as rich and flavorful as traditional recipes. A gluten-free flour blend makes it easy to convert your favorite flour-based recipes without much change to the texture or flavor. Or choose naturally flourless recipes, like macarons or meringue cookies.
Can I make gluten-free Christmas desserts in advance?
Many gluten-free desserts, like rice pudding, ice cream and creme brulee (wait to torch the sugar until it’s time to serve), are great make-ahead treats. Cookies can also be baked in advance and stored in food storage containers at room temperature for about three days. Check out our tips for how to store cookies to keep them fresh to get the most from your bakes.
