Not too long ago, gluten-free desserts were disappointing and lacking imagination. The cookies had a grainy texture, the cakes were dense, and the only decent option seemed to be a fruit salad. But oh boy, how times have changed!
Gluten-free flour has made remarkable progress in terms of texture and taste. Talented pastry chefs have put in extra effort to create recipes that everyone can enjoy. Now, people with intolerances can indulge in cakes, cookies, brownies, banana bread, and more, without needing fancy kitchen skills or equipment.
In this list of 30 gluten-free desserts, you’ll discover a mix of classics, naughty treats, and some healthy sweets for those moments when you crave something light and delicious. So, let’s dive in!
1. Easy Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake
Just by looking at the picture, you wouldn’t think this cake is gluten-free. It appears so moist, light, and incredibly rich. Gluten usually lends cakes and bread a lighter texture, so when baking without it, you’ll need a substitute. This recipe includes a link to homemade gluten-free flour blends, with xantham gum being a crucial ingredient. If you prefer store-bought gluten-free flour, make sure it contains xantham gum for the best results.
2. Chocolate Cornstarch Pudding
You might think of chocolate pudding as a dessert just for kids, but who could resist a bowl of this deliciousness? When you make it at home, you have the freedom to elevate its presentation and serve it like a restaurant-style dessert. Consider adding whipped cream to lighten the texture, or layer it with fresh berries and enjoy a delightful treat.
3. Vegan Flan
Flan is naturally gluten-free, as it’s made with eggs, cream, milk, and sugar. But how can you make it vegan? The secret lies in using a blend of coconut milk for its creamy texture, maple syrup for sweetness, cornstarch for thickness, and agar-agar for stability. If veganism isn’t a requirement, there’s also a super easy 5-ingredient recipe provided.
4. No-Bake Cookies
These no-bake cookies are all about rich, chocolatey, and chewy goodness. Since they don’t require baking, you won’t achieve a light and fluffy texture. However, they are incredibly easy to whip up, and with ingredients like peanut butter and cocoa, you won’t be able to stop at just one. When shopping for oats, be sure to choose certified “gluten-free” options to avoid any potential cross-contamination.
5. Panna Cotta
If you’re a fan of creamy desserts, you’ll understand why panna cotta is considered the epitome of perfection. Its flavor is clean and perfectly sweetened, giving you a guilt-free indulgence. Feel free to experiment with flavors, but starting with a classic, milky-vanilla dish is always a good choice. Use panna cotta molds that make it easy to remove and present these beauties.
6. Keto Peanut Butter Cookies
The keto diet, which focuses on high fat and low carbs, has gained popularity due to its ease of adherence. Interestingly, gluten-free and low-carb often go hand in hand, as many high-carb foods are rich in gluten. These tender and flavorful cookies will make you forget you’re missing out on anything, and the best part is that they are keto-friendly.
7. Lemon Almond Flour Shortbread Cookies
Shortbread is famously crumbly and highly flavored, with a crispy edge and a tender center. Making it gluten-free is surprisingly simple. Almond meal, derived from blending almonds until fine and flour-like, serves as the perfect substitute for regular flour. Just swap out the flour and follow the same method for a standard shortbread dough.
8. Neapolitan Parfaits {Gluten-free}
Neapolitan ice cream brings together three classic flavors – vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate – in one heavenly sundae. This gluten-free parfait version replaces the strawberry component with fresh diced berries and the vanilla part with yogurt. To achieve the chocolate layer, you can either buy ready-made gluten-free chocolate muffins or repurpose leftover chocolate cake.
9. Easy Gluten-Free Fruit Cobbler Recipe
Cobbler typically features a crumble or biscuit-like topping over a dish of sweet, bubbling fruits. This gluten-free recipe utilizes a crumble-style topping made by gently stirring sugar, an egg, and gluten-free flour. If you prefer, you can use almond meal or even crumbled shortbread from a previous recipe as an alternative topping for the fruit.
10. Microwave Peanut Butter Fudge
Fudge makes for a delightful treat, and it’s especially appreciated by those who follow a gluten-free diet. While most fudge recipes are naturally gluten-free, this one stands out for its simplicity. All you need is peanut butter, butter, powdered sugar, and a few minutes of your time to create a sweet and creamy delight.
11. Vegan Almond Flour Brownies
Prepare to be amazed by these drool-worthy, vegan-friendly brownies that you would never believe are gluten-free. For the best results, you’ll need to use Bob’s Red Mill Egg Replacer. Alternatively, flax seeds or mashed banana can serve as substitutes. The recipe calls for “2 flax eggs,” which is a mixture of two tablespoons of ground flaxseed meal and six tablespoons of water. A mashed banana would also work.
12. Easy No-Churn Homemade Ice Cream
Imagine how special your gluten-free friends will feel when you tell them their dessert isn’t just store-bought ice cream but homemade-with-love ice cream. Surprisingly, making it from scratch is as easy as whipping up some cream, folding in condensed milk and vanilla, and letting your creativity shine by experimenting with various flavors.
13. Gluten-Free Strawberry Cream Cheese Trifle
Trifle is a show-stopping dessert that involves layering cream, custard, fruit, and cake. The provided recipe includes gluten-free angel cake as a light and delicious base. Alternatively, you can explore your culinary adventurous side by using the chocolate cake recipe mentioned earlier, layering it with homemade chocolate pudding and luscious ganache.
14. Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
Sometimes the simplest things are the most fabulous, and that holds true for chocolate-dipped strawberries. These elegant treats instantly elevate any gathering, and it’s delightful to see people’s faces light up when you present them with a tray full of these juicy and decadent delights.
15. Almond Flour Blondies
These almond flour blondies are the epitome of chewy, fudgy, and delicious. They boast a delightful combination of creamy white chocolate and buttery pecans. If you prefer a dairy-free version, substitute coconut oil for butter, ensuring it is solid so you can cream it with the sugars. Remember that white chocolate and milk chocolate are not suitable for vegans, so seek alternatives accordingly.
16. Tiger Butter Fudge
Prepare to be amazed by this visually stunning fudge. The swirl effect is mesmerizing, and you’ll be surprised to learn how simple it is to replicate at home. Start by making an effortless white chocolate and peanut butter fudge, then pour melted chocolate on top. Be sure to dollop the chocolate and use a sharp knife to create the mesmerizing swirls.
17. Almond Flour Snickerdoodles
As a cookie enthusiast, trying out new recipes is always exciting. When a recipe is a one-bowl wonder, it becomes irresistible. These almond flour snickerdoodles owe their tenderness to cream of tartar, baking soda, and powdered sugar. The cookie dough itself is so good that you can make variations by adding mini-chocolate chips, rolling them in chopped pecans, or incorporating orange zest and dried cranberries.
18. Nourishing Almond Flour Banana Bread
We’ve all been guilty of buying bananas with the sole purpose of making banana bread. It’s a practical way to prevent waste. This dairy-free recipe includes eggs and flax seeds, which add nutritional benefits to the bread. Don’t be surprised by the slight addition of flax seeds; they contribute to the overall goodness of the bread.
19. 3-Ingredient Chocolate Almond Clusters
Desserts don’t always have to be massive slices of cake. Sometimes, a small bite is enough to satisfy your sweet tooth. That’s why these almond clusters are so appealing. They offer a perfect combination of rich chocolate, crunchy almonds, and a touch of sea salt to balance the flavors.
20. 3-Ingredient Mounds Bar Recipe
If you’re a fan of coconut, you’ll appreciate these Mounds Bar-inspired treats. The filling is irresistibly coconutty, so if you’re not a fan of that texture, you might want to skip this recipe. For smaller portions, consider portioning the coconut filling into ice cube trays, freezing them, and inserting a toothpick for easy dipping.
21. Homemade Peanut Butter Cups
Have you ever considered making your own peanut butter cups? While you can easily buy them at the local store, there’s something special about preparing them yourself. Adding extra touches, such as drizzling salted caramel into the filling, can take your homemade peanut butter cups to another level of deliciousness.
22. Bananas Foster For One
Bananas foster is a sinfully delicious concoction of warm, sweet bananas, brown sugar, butter caramel sauce, and, if you’re feeling adventurous, a splash of dark rum. Enjoy this treat with pancakes, a slice of pound cake, or serve it over some of that delectable homemade ice cream.
23. Disney Dole Whip Recipe
Disney’s pineapple soft serve is legendary, and enjoying it at least once in your life is practically a rite of passage. However, when you discover how unbelievably easy it is to recreate this delight at home, you might want to save your hard-earned cash. All you need is a decent blender, high-quality vanilla ice cream, pineapple juice, and frozen pineapple chunks.
24. Blueberry Almond Crisp
Blueberries take on a stunning transformation when cooked, displaying vibrant shades of purple and blue. Pairing them with golden oats adds an extra visual pop. Since blueberries are naturally sweet, a drizzle of honey and a splash of lemon juice are all you need to enhance their flavor. Remember to use gluten-free oats, or increase the amount of almond meal if needed.
25. 5-Ingredient Chewy Coconut Macaroons
When making macaroons, it’s crucial to beat the egg whites until they form stiff peaks and then gently incorporate the remaining ingredients. Consider breaking up any clumps in the coconut before mixing it in. To facilitate the baking process, use edible baking wafers to avoid sticking. Simply scoop the mixture onto the wafers and bake to achieve delectable macaroons.
26. Brown Sugar Grilled Peaches
This recipe offers a lighter dessert option. Grilled peaches are warm, indulgent, and bursting with natural sweetness when they’re ripe. Grilling them helps intensify the flavors and caramelize the edges. Adding brown sugar enhances their sweetness and encourages crispness. The result is a delightful treat that pairs well with various accompaniments, such as morning oats, ice cream, or a dollop of cream.
27. Microwave Baked Apples
Baked apples are a warm and satisfying sweet treat. Enjoy them with a side of homemade ice cream, pair them with morning oats, or relish them on their own with a dollop of cream. This recipe offers a quick and easy microwave version that requires only two to four minutes of cooking. For added textural appeal, broil the apples for a minute or two once they’re soft.
28. Salted Tahini Caramel Millionaire Bars
When it comes to caramel, achieving a dairy-free version can be quite challenging. While this recipe may not replicate the exact texture of traditional caramel, it offers a creamy alternative that complements chocolate and shortbread beautifully. Maple syrup is included in the base to create a slightly less sweet caramel layer. Keep in mind that this recipe uses almond meal, but you can experiment with gluten-free flour as a nut-free alternative.
29. Eagle Brand Fudge
Concluding the list, we have another fudge recipe that stands out for being nut-free. In fact, you’ll find this recipe right on the can of Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk. It’s a foolproof recipe that can be easily modified by incorporating exciting toppings such as chopped nuts, Reese’s Pieces, or freeze-dried raspberries.
30. Microwave Peanut Brittle
Peanut brittle is a hard candy made by boiling sugar until it reaches the “hard-crack” stage. While the use of a microwave may initially seem worrisome, it’s actually quite safe as long as you handle the bowl with thick oven gloves. The key is to be cautious when adding baking soda, as the mixture might foam and spit. This recipe offers a straightforward method to achieve delectable peanut brittle in a short amount of time.
And there you have it! Thirty amazing gluten-free desserts to satisfy your cravings. Whether you’re looking for classic flavors, innovative treats, or healthier alternatives, this collection has something for everyone. Enjoy the journey of exploring these recipes and indulging in delightful gluten-free desserts.
