It's officially the festive season! This collection of gluten-free Christmas cake recipes is packed with cakes that are as delicious as they are stunning. Each cake doubles as a beautiful centerpiece for your Christmas Eve Dinner or any special occasion in December.
Whether you are on a gluten-free diet or accommodating guests who are, every single one of these cake recipes is completely gluten-free.
Kindness Tip! If you are hosting someone with celiac disease this holiday season, please ask if they are comfortable with you baking for them and how you can safely avoid cross-contamination while baking gluten-free.
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Equipment
- Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer: If you don't have a stand mixer, an inexpensive hand mixer is essential for gluten-free baking. Gluten-free cakes benefit from air added to the thick batter (typical for gluten-free recipes) during a few extra minutes of mixing.
- Large Mixing Bowl: All of the recipes will need a large bowl when mixing the batter.
- Cake Pan: Several of these recipes call for holiday-themed cake pans, bundt cake baking tins, or simple tart pans.
- Cake Turntable and Decorating Supplies: For the layered cakes, decorating is much easier with a cake turntable and frosting spatula.
- Kitchen Scale: The Gin & Tonic Roulade recipe requires a kitchen scale. Much of the world uses a kitchen scale for more precise measuring when baking. It is inexpensive and worth having if you expect a lot of gluten-free baking in your future.
Tips for Converting Traditional Cake Recipes to Gluten-Free
Trying to make your family recipe for a beloved Christmas cake? Follow these gluten-free baking tips for the best results when converting cake recipes:
- Use a gluten-free flour blend that already contains xanthan gum, a helpful binder in gluten-free baked goods.
- Use ½-1 teaspoon of baking powder per cup of flour, to add volume and a lighter texture to your gluten-free cakes.
- Increase liquid or fat by ¼ to ½ cup to add moisture.
- Let the batter rest for 15-30 minutes before baking, allowing the wet ingredients in the recipe to fully hydrate the gluten-free flour.
Storage Tips
These cakes are best fresh. Enjoy within a few days of baking. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature (unless the cake has an ingredient that requires refrigeration, such as cream cheese frosting).
For a make-ahead option, gluten-free cake will maintain its texture in the freezer much better than in the fridge. Wrap the unfrosted, baked cake in plastic wrap, and store it in an airtight container in the freezer. Remove from the freezer a few hours before serving. Decorate as directed in the recipe card.
