You're going to love this list of the best gluten-free desserts for Christmas time!
Elegant custards, crepes, and centerpiece-worthy cakes for Christmas Eve dinner. Casual egg nog cupcakes and cinnamon rolls for a holiday brunch. Your favorite traditional pies and a reimagined chocolate pecan pie side-by-side on your Christmas Day dessert table. Cookies and fudge to assemble gift boxes of sweets. Gingerbread houses, peppermint donuts, and cheesecakes that far surpass visions of sugarplums.
Stunning and rustic. Decadent and light. Classic and innovative. This collection has it all.
Whether you or your family members have celiac disease, gluten intolerance, or another health reason for a gluten-free diet, there is space for all of us at the holiday dessert table!
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Easy recipe for the best gluten-free crepes that are every bit as delicate and delicious as gluten-full, traditional French crepes. For a fun, Christmas dessert, set out a build-your-own-crepes buffet of red, green, and white fillings and toppings: strawberries, cranberry sauce, raspberry jam, mint jelly, pistachios, mint leaves, whipped cream, powdered sugar, and ice cream.
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Candy Cane Crème Brûlée is a fun peppermint twist on the classic French dessert. All of the traditional rich creaminess, with a delicate peppermint flavor, colorful red & white swirled cream, and a caramelized candy cane brûlée topping.
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Gluten-free and bursting with seasonal flavors, this easy-to-make Gluten-Free Gingerbread House Bundt Cake brings all the Christmas magic as your kids cover it with frosting and gluten-free Christmas candy. For an elegant, old-fashioned Christmas centerpiece, simply sprinkle this gingerbread cake with powdered sugar.
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Gluten-Free Eggnog Cinnamon Rolls with a sweet, sticky eggnog and cream cheese glaze are the perfect make-ahead dessert for a festive holiday get-together or Christmas breakfast. You won't believe how these fluffy, soft, gooey, gluten-free rolls taste just like the "real" thing! Prep the rolls the night before and they'll get even softer and fluffier as they rise in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Your guests will never guess they're gluten-free.
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Festive Cranberry Pear Crisp is the perfect gluten-free Christmas dessert. Warm pears mixed with bright red cranberries and topped with a crunchy, buttery, gluten-free oat crumble!
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Perfect for cookie exchanges and fun Christmas cookie decorating parties, everyone will love these Gluten-Free Sugar Cookies. They are soft and delicious, just like the Christmas cut-out cookies from your childhood. No one will be able to tell they are gluten-free!
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Eggnog lovers will rave over this Eggnog Crème Brûlée, a Christmas version of the timeless classic, crème brûlée. Rich, creamy, eggnog custard topped with crunchy caramelized sugar and garnished with candied cranberries for the perfect festive dessert.
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Set your Christmas dessert table with this Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pie baked in an easy, buttery, flaky crust. The delicious pumpkin filling is packed with warm spices & brown sugar for even more seasonal flavor.
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Want to take your crepes up a notch on the festive scale? Add vibrant green matcha with this delicious Gluten-Free Matcha Crepes recipe. Earthy & energizing, the matcha in these crepes pairs beautiful with red raspberries and white whipped cream for a colorful Christmas dessert.
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These easy Gingersnap Cookies, made with simple gluten-free ingredients, are the most delicious, chewy gingersnap cookies you have ever tasted... gluten-free or not! I suggest you have a double batch of dough ready to go, because your Christmas guests will make them disappear from your cookie platter faster than you can bake them.
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These Miniature Gluten-Free Gingerbread Houses are perfect for Elf on the Shelf fun or kid Christmas parties. They are easy to make, fun to decorate, and delicious with a delicate orange spice flavor that will not overwhelm young palettes!
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This Gluten-Free Apple Galette is simple but impressive. The rustic crust is buttery and flaky, and the filling is packed with cinnamon and apples. The recipe calls for apples with the skin-on. Choose your favorite apple variety or mix and match green and red for a little holiday color.
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Christmas cookies in an adorable red & white, candy cane shape, with hints of vanilla and almond. These retro, crisp cookies are topped with sweet candy cane sugar sprinkles and are perfect for your gluten-free holiday cookie tray.
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Cheesecake or pumpkin pie? Now there's no need to choose! This easy-to-make dessert combines both in a delicious gluten-free graham cracker crust. These simple Gluten-Free Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars are delicious and sure to be a new holiday crowd-pleaser!
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Easy and impressive little gluten-free dessert for your Christmas celebration! Tart and sweet cranberry sauce in mini buttery pie crusts.
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Eggnog fans rejoice! These adorable gluten-free cupcakes have eggnog in the cupcake and in the frosting. Make in colorful cupcake wrappers for the perfect seasonal sweet treat.
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Donuts for dessert! These baked Gluten Free Chocolate Peppermint Donuts are chocolatey and delicious. Sprinkled with crushed candy canes, they are almost too pretty eat. They are sure to be a holiday delight!
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This moist Cranberry Orange Bundt Cake doubles as a beautiful centerpiece for your Christmas Eve table. It is full of flavor and fresh cranberries, then topped with delicious cream cheese icing.
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Peppermint meringue kisses swirled with red and white are full of holiday flavor! Just when you think it can't get any better, this dressed-up holiday sweet is dipped in chocolate and coated with crushed candy canes.
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Easier than apple pie (and better tasting), this delicious Gluten-Free Cranberry Apple Crisp recipe is simple enough to make with kids and is an excellent addition to a festive table. Follow the directions on the bottom of the recipe card to transform this classic fall favorite into the perfect Christmas Eve dessert!
This easy recipe takes the flavors of Christmas and brilliantly folds them into a rich cheesecake. Spiced, creamy, Gingerbread Cheesecake is simply perfect for Christmas.
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Marzipan Springerle Candy are no-bake Christmas treats almost too beautiful and charming to eat. They are made completely of marzipan and decorated with a nostalgic cookie stamp or impromptu repurposing of everyday items like a meat mallet, honey dipper, or binder clip. They are perfect for gift-giving.
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Enjoy this holiday classic Rum Raisin Bundt Cake with friends and family. Rum is naturally gluten-free, but be sure to check for gluten in any added flavorings.
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Miss those individually packaged Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes? Not any more! This easy "how to" walks you through a few simple steps to make a gluten-free version starting with store-bought gluten-free cake mix. Bring back the childhood fun!
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White Chocolate Cranberry Fudge is a delectable Christmas indulgence packed with creamy white chocolate, tangy bursts of cranberries, and the satisfying crunch of almonds. This sweet and tart Christmas fudge is so easy, you make it in your microwave!
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It's pretty much impossible to have a roundup of Christmas desserts without including Fruit Cake! If you have been missing this traditional holiday staple, you will love this flavorful, gluten-free version made with almond flour.
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Rich dark chocolate, white chocolate, and peppermint candy canes dance perfectly together in Chocolate Peppermint Cookies. These gluten-free Christmas cookies are the ideal combination of chewy and slightly crunchy.
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Layers of white mascarpone cream and red pomegranate compote topped with green chopped pistachios and edible rose petals! This recipe is as elegantly festive as it is easy. You can make it in 15 minutes. Note, that the recipe suggests topping the parfait with cinnamon stars, which are traditionally gluten-free. Always double-check the package or recipe, or use the Cinnamon Star Recipe found in my Christmas Cookie Roundup.
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Christmas gives you one more excuse to add bright green matcha powder to your baked goods! Cheesecake, matcha, and fudge brownie are swirled together for a gluten-free and fresh take on a brownie.
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Wow your guests with these elegant poached pears in a mulled red wine. All of the flavors of the Christmas season in a simple, light dessert that is perfect for your next December dinner party.
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General Mills Rice Krispies are NOT gluten-free, but this no-bake recipe calls for gluten-free crispy rice cereal. They are soft and gooey, like traditional Rice Krispies treats, but gluten-free and topped with colorful red, white, and green chocolate and crushed candy canes. Stick to red & white only for adorable Santa Hat Treats. If you can't find gluten-free candy melts, use Nestle white chocolate morsels and gel food coloring.
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Stream your favorite version of A Christmas Carol and enjoy a healthy twist on this traditional British dessert. Sweet potato and applesauce make a sweet, moist base for this Christmas Pudding steamed in your slow cooker. You'll need an inexpensive kitchen scale to make this recipe from across the pond!
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Mix up rich, Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bark with just 3-ingredients, 10 minutes of prep, and 30 minutes of patience while the chocolate sets. It's a delicious holiday gift idea!
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Let's head over to Austria with these Gluten-Free Linzer Cookies. They are so simple and elegant, with all the warmth of a homemade Christmas. This recipe is gluten-free and egg-free.
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Chestnuts roasting on an open fire... Better yet, combine them with chocolate and roll them in festive sprinkles to make a creamy, rich, Chestnut Chocolate Truffle. These naturally gluten-free sweet treats make the perfect edible Christmas gift for your friends and family!
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Cranberry Crisp simply tastes like Christmas in a bowl. Fresh cranberries, maple syrup, and buttery gluten-free oat streusel come together magically in this perfect treat. For celiacs who can tolerate oats, be sure to use labeled Gluten-free Oat Flour and Gluten-Free Oats.
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Your kids will love making and eating delicious chocolate-peanut clusters topped with Christmas sprinkles. This holiday treat is so easy to mix up in your slow cooker!
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This 5-ingredient Chocolate Creme Brulee is a brilliant combination of chocolate custard and the perfect burnt sugar topping. You'll love how easy it is to impress your guests with this rich twist on the naturally gluten-free, classic creme brulee. Garnish with strawberries and mint leaves for a touch of Christmas red and green!
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The Aussie/Kiwi Pavlova is a naturally gluten-free meringue desert with a crunchy outside and soft, marshmallow interior. Served in a wreath shape, this popular sweet treat becomes a show-stopping Christmas dessert!
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Wrap up some of this simple, rich, Maple Fudge made with pure maple syrup. It is a perfectly charming hostess gift to take to your next holiday party. Customize your fudge by choosing from several add-in options: walnuts, pecans, gluten-free pretzels, crispy bacon, and peanut butter.
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These adorable Minnie Red Velvet Bundt Cakes will delight Disney Christmas fans. They are made with all things delicious, like cocoa powder, decorative fondant, and a drool-worthy cream cheese frosting. If you can't get your hands on gluten-free fondant, use my easy recipe for homemade fondant... it tastes better than ready-made fondant.
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Gluten-Free Mince Pies are perfect for your festive celebrations! It's so easy to make this traditional Christmas treat gluten-free, when you use this recipe for sweet fruit mince, richly fragrant with spices, and encased in a gluten-free buttery pastry. .
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Your holiday guests will not be able to resist this addictively delicious Ultimate Christmas Crack. Made with gluten-free crackers, chocolate, and caramel!
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You are going to LOVE this simple gluten-free eggnog bread pudding recipe. Make ahead in a casserole pan and take this easy holiday dessert to your next Christmas potluck!
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Gingerbread spice and molasses come together in these sugar & spice Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cookies. They have just the right amount of crunch. Enjoy this timeless holiday favorite cookie, but safely gluten-free!
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Quick and easy Chocolate Mint Pie is a perfect dessert for kids to make. Let those little chefs in the kitchen! This holiday, everyone can have a slice because this pie recipe is top 9 allergen-free, in addition to gluten-free!
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This colorful, Christmas yogurt bark is a festive cold treat, full of bright green pistachios and dried, red cranberries.
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Also known as Venetian cookies or 7-layer cookies, this gluten-free sponge cake was an Italian immigrant tribute to the Italian flag that became a popular Christmas treat. Sweet almond sponge cake is layered with raspberry jam and apricot preserves, and then topped with melted chocolate.
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Creamy Pumpkin Mousse is a light and airy alternative to gluten-free pumpkin pie. Serve with gluten-free gingersnaps for a casual Christmas dessert packed with seasonal spices!
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These gluten free Chocolate Sprinkle Cookies are rolled in colorful Christmas sprinkles. (Betty Crocker has a large selection of gluten-free sprinkles. Check the label, as not all are gluten-free.) Add these chocolatey, soft cookies with a sweet outside to your annual Christamas cookie lineup.
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Also, known as Coeur a La Creme, this French no-bake dessert is cheesecake in a classier, light and fluffy, mousse form. The sweet-tart Amaretto Raspberry Coulis adds the perfect touch of red to your holiday table.
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Winter is citrus season! Pair whole clementines and almond flour with a rich chocolate ganache for a match made in heaven.
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If you are a fan of rice pudding, you will love the holiday twist on this Cranberry Gingerbread Rice Pudding. Leftover milk, holiday spices, and dried cranberries come together quickly in just 15 minutes. Top with Homemade Maple Whipped Cream!
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Make your holiday fudge next level with fluffy marshmallows and crunchy walnuts. You can mix up Rocky Road Fudge in your microwave in just five minutes.
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The classic holiday pecan pie meets chocolate in this Gluten-Free Chocolate Pecan Pie. You will love the rich chocolate flavor with a hint of maple and delicious pecans, all in a light and buttery shortbread crust.
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Gluten-Free Ingredients
While these recipes are all gluten-free, always check the labels on your specific ingredients. Here are a few recommendations to have at your fingertips, but you can confidently use other brands that you've vetted!
- Gluten-free Flour: If a recipe calls for a gluten-free flour blend (not a specific flour, such as almond flour or buckwheat), for best results use one that contains xanthan gum. My go-to is King Arthur Gluten-Free Measure for Measure Flour.
- Nuts and Dried Fruit: While naturally gluten-free, nut and dried fruit manufacturers often note on the packaging that they are processed on shared equipment with wheat. To avoid cross-contact, I purchase from the gluten-free list on Nuts.com. Christmas is a great time to stock up. Store nuts in the freezer for up to 6-12 months.
- Chocolate Chips: Nestle Chocolate Chips, including the White Chocolate Morsels are labeled gluten-free.
- Candy Canes: While most candy canes are probably gluten-free, many brands do not make a gluten-free claim and also include "the questionable ingredient "natural flavor" (which may contain hidden gluten). For those of us with celiac disease, that ambiguous label usually means a call to the manufacturer. To save you time, Yum Earth Organic Candy Canes are labeled gluten-free, and Spangler Candy Canes are also gluten-free per the manufacturer's website.
- Christmas Candy: this list of gluten-free Christmas Candy will inspire your holiday cookie decorating. There are so many sweet options.
- Oats: Oats are naturally gluten-free, but are at high risk of cross-contact in the field and in the factory. Oats are complicated. If you have celiac disease and can tolerate oats, be sure to buy oats that are labeled gluten-free. I personally stick to purity protocol Gluten-Free Oat Flour and Gluten-Free Oats.
- Spices: I cover spices in detail in the Celiac Guide to Gluten-Free Spices and Seasonings. The short version is that individual spices are naturally gluten-free, but spice blends may contain gluten ingredients. There can be cross-contact, but the minimal amount of gluten from cross-contact would be further diluted across an entire recipe. For added reassurance, you can choose spices and blends that are labeled gluten-free, such as Spicely Organics and affordable Badia Spices. Or stick to single spices from trustworthy brands with good manufacturing and allergy protocols.
Related Recipes
- Peppermint White Hot Chocolate
- How to Make a Simple Gluten-Free Dessert Charcuterie Board
- Homemade Maple Whipped Cream Recipe
More Gluten-Free Roundups for the Holiday Season
- 10 Gluten-Free Christmas Cakes for Your Holiday Centerpiece
- 20+ Gluten-Free Christmas Cookie Recipes
- 74 Gluten-Free Christmas Appetizers You'll Love!
Wishing you a Sweet & Merry Christmas!
Sandi says
They all look so good. I can't wait to try some of these recipes!
GoGlutenFreely says
Thank you! They are all so amazing... the only challenge will be choosing!