Every year around the holidays, I get the same question from friends and clients: “What can I bake that’s gluten-free but still tastes amazing?” Whether it’s because of celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, or just wanting to include everyone at the table, I’ve learned that gluten-free baking doesn’t have to be complicated or disappointing.
The holiday season really is the perfect time to explore the wonderful world of gluten-free desserts. Whether you’re baking for someone with celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, or simply looking to accommodate all your guests, creating delicious gluten-free treats has never been easier. From homemade classics to convenient store-bought options, this guide will help you navigate everything you need to know about gluten-free desserts.
Understanding Gluten-Free Baking: What You Need to Know
Before diving into recipes, it’s important to understand what makes gluten-free baking different. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye that gives traditional baked goods their structure and chewiness. When creating gluten-free desserts, you’ll need to replace this protein with alternative flours and binding agents.
The most successful gluten-free desserts use a blend of flours rather than a single substitute. Common options include almond flour, rice flour, oat flour (certified gluten-free), coconut flour, and tapioca starch. Many bakers find that using a pre-mixed gluten-free flour blend simplifies the process while delivering consistent results.
I’ve tested just about every gluten-free flour blend out there, and honestly, a good pre-mixed blend saves a ton of frustration. My favorite is King Arthur 1:1 Gluten-Free Flour. It consistently gives great texture and flavor without any graininess, but it is important to know that this flour is produced on equipment that also processes wheat, milk, soy, eggs and almonds, so there is a risk of cross contamination.
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Essential Tips for Better Gluten-Free Desserts
Let Your Batter Rest
One of the most important tips for gluten-free baking is patience. Allow your batter or dough to rest for 15–30 minutes at room temperature if you plan to bake right away. This gives the gluten-free flours time to absorb moisture, resulting in better texture and preventing crumbly desserts. Letting the dough rest really does make a difference. It’s one of those small steps that separates “pretty good” from “wow, these are amazing.”
For even better results, you can chill the dough in the fridge for 30 minutes to overnight. This firms up the butter, improves chewiness, and enhances flavor.
Add Extra Binding Agents
Since gluten-free desserts lack the natural binding properties of gluten, you’ll often need additional eggs, xanthan gum, or ground flaxseed to hold everything together. These ingredients help create the structure that gluten would normally provide.
If you’ve ever tried to bake gluten-free cookies that fell apart before reaching the plate, I feel your pain. The right binding agent is everything.
Don’t Overmix
While you can’t develop gluten in gluten-free batters, overmixing can still incorporate too much air or break down the starches in your flour blend. Mix until just combined for the best results.
Check for Cross-Contamination
When preparing gluten-free desserts, especially for those with celiac disease, ensure all your equipment, utensils, and workspace are thoroughly cleaned. Even trace amounts of gluten can cause issues for sensitive individuals.
Recipe: Chewy Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
We love experimenting with allergy-friendly recipes (as you know from my cookbook), but lately, my daughter has been talking about creating her own allergy-friendly cookie company. She’s already brainstorming names, testing flavors, and analyzing what makes the perfect chewy cookie. Neither of my kids has a gluten allergy, but we’ve been having fun experimenting with gluten-free baking, especially cookies.
These gluten-free chocolate chip cookies are a favorite that no one will guess are gluten-free. They’re crispy on the edges, chewy in the center, and packed with chocolate chips.
Ingredients
- 1 1/3 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, such as King Arthur Measure for Measure or Bob’s Red Mill 1:1
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 2/3 cup butter, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup gluten-free chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat the butter and both sugars until creamy.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract, beating until well combined.
- Gradually stir in the flour mixture until just combined.
- Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Chill the dough overnight (for best results).
- Before baking, let the dough sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes to make it easier to scoop and ensure even baking.
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 9–11 minutes, until golden brown around the edges.
- Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
More Gluten-Free Dessert Ideas for the Holidays
Beyond chocolate chip cookies, there are countless gluten-free desserts you can make that are perfect for holiday gatherings:
- Flourless Chocolate Cake is naturally gluten-free and incredibly decadent, made primarily with chocolate, butter, eggs, and sugar. It’s an elegant choice for dinner parties.
- Pavlova with Fresh Berries and Whipped Cream is another naturally gluten-free option that looks impressive and tastes light and refreshing after a heavy holiday meal.
- Crustless Pumpkin Pie captures all the flavors of the season without the hassle of making a gluten-free crust. Simply pour your filling into a buttered pie dish and bake.
- Almond Flour Brownies are rich, fudgy, and have a wonderful texture that rivals traditional brownies.
The Best Store-Bought Gluten-Free Desserts
Not everyone has time to bake from scratch during the busy holiday season. Fortunately, the market for pre-made gluten-free desserts has expanded significantly in recent years. Here are some tried-and-true favorites recommended by my dietitian mentee, who lives gluten-free every day.
- Antonina’s Cakes and Cupcakes are a fantastic alternative to traditional baked goods, offering the convenience of readily available treats without compromising on quality. These cakes and cupcakes are exceptionally moist and flavorful, delivering the same sweetness and satisfaction you’d expect from any premium bakery item. They’re perfect for last-minute dessert needs or when you want something special without the baking effort.
- Nothing Bundt Cakes Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake brings back the joy of walking into a bakery and selecting a beautiful cake, an experience many gluten-free individuals miss. These cakes are incredibly moist, packed with flavor, and beautifully decorated. Available in multiple sizes, they work equally well as a personal treat or a show-stopping cake for your holiday celebrations.
- Glutino Chocolate Chip Cookies capture that nostalgic feeling of grabbing a package of cookies from the grocery store for a quick sweet treat. These cookies are wonderfully crunchy with generous chocolate chips that deliver satisfying flavor in every bite. They’re the perfect option when you want that classic grocery store cookie experience without any gluten.
- Tate’s Bake Shop Gluten-Free Cookies, Goodie Girl Cookies and Partake Cookies are all excellent for cookie platters, while Sweet Loren’s make dessert prep quick and reliable.
Making Your Holiday Dessert Table Inclusive
When planning your holiday desserts, consider creating a small section specifically labeled for gluten-free options. This helps guests with dietary restrictions easily identify safe choices and shows thoughtfulness as a host.
Remember that many naturally gluten-free desserts like custards, mousses, meringues, and fruit-based treats can round out your dessert table beautifully. You don’t need to rely solely on baked goods to create an impressive table.
Final Thoughts
Gluten-free desserts have come such a long way, and this season is the perfect time to explore them. Whether you’re baking from scratch or picking up something pre-made, remember that the goal is to make everyone at your table feel included and well-fed.
Want to understand more about gluten-free ingredients? Read my post, The Difference Between Gluten-Free and Wheat-Free, to learn how the two compare and why it matters.
Looking for more gluten-free and top 9 allergen free holiday desserts? Download my Top 9 Allergen-Free Holiday Dessert Recipe E-Book here.