The holiday season is a time of joy and togetherness, with delicious treats always finding their way to the table. If you or your loved ones follow a gluten free lifestyle, you might wonder how to enjoy the dessert table without compromising taste and tradition. Fear not! Embracing gluten free Christmas desserts will fit your dietary restrictions without a single sacrifice in terms of taste and deliciousness.
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Gluten free Christmas dessert ideas
We’ve prepared five of the most flavorful festive gluten free desserts you can imagine. Whichever one you choose, you’re in for a fantastic addition to your gluten free journey.
Gluten free gingerbread cupcakes
Gingerbread has always been a part of Christmas tradition, making it the perfect start for our list of gluten free Christmas desserts. Additionally, ginger is one the best fat-burning gluten free foods, allowing you to cancel out some of the calories you’ve consumed. To prepare it, you’ll need two sets of ingredients – one for the cupcakes and the other one for the cream cheese frosting:
- one and a half cups gluten free flour;
- one teaspoon of ground ginger;
- half a teaspoon ground cinnamon;
- a quarter teaspoon of ground cloves;
- half a teaspoon baking soda;
- a quarter teaspoon salt;
- half a cup unsalted butter, softened;
- half a cup brown sugar;
- a quarter cup molasses;
- two large eggs;
- half a cup of buttermilk.
For the frosting:
- eight oz of softened cream cheese;
- half a cup of softened unsalted butter;
- two cups of powdered sugar;
- one teaspoon of vanilla extract.
To prepare this delightful gluten free Christmas treat, begin by setting your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a muffin tin with festive cupcake liners. In a bowl, combine gluten free flour, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, baking soda, and salt, ensuring an even distribution of spices. In a separate spacious bowl, cream together softened butter and brown sugar until smooth. Introduce molasses to the mix and blend thoroughly for a rich base. Add eggs gradually, one at a time, to keep the texture that is both smooth and fluffy.
Now, blend the dry and wet ingredients, alternating with buttermilk to maintain consistency. Fill each cupcake liner two-thirds full, allowing for perfect rising during baking. Bake for around 20 minutes, or do it by feeling with the toothpick test.
While the cupcakes are cooling, whip up a luxurious cream cheese frosting by combining cream cheese, a bit of softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth. Once the cupcakes have cooled entirely, generously frost each one to add the perfect touch of sweetness.
Gluten free coconut macaroons
If you’re a fan of coconut, simplicity, and deliciousness, trying this recipe is an absolute must! To make it, grab these ingredients in your next grocery shopping trip:
- three cups shredded coconut;
- three-fourths cup sweetened condensed milk;
- one teaspoon vanilla extract;
- two large egg whites;
- a quarter teaspoon salt;
- gluten free chocolate for drizzling (optional).
Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) and set the parchment paper in place. Add the shredded coconut to sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract in a large bowl. Whip the egg whites with salt in a separate bowl until stiff peaks form. Proceed by folding the egg whites into the coconut blend until thoroughly mixed.
Create small mounds of the mixture on the ready baking sheet using either a spoon or a cookie scoop. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. If desired, allow the coconut macaroons to cool on the baking sheet before drizzling with gluten free chocolate.
Gluten free cranberry orange muffins
This gluten free holiday dessert is a wonderful way to start your day. These muffins bring together the tangy goodness of cranberries and the citrusy kick of orange zest in every bite. Here’s what you’ll need to make them:
- two cups gluten free flour blend;
- one cup of fresh or frozen cranberries;
- zest of one orange;
- one teaspoon gluten free baking powder;
- half a teaspoon baking soda;
- a pinch of salt;
- half a cup of unsweetened applesauce;
- a quarter cup olive oil;
- half a cup of honey;
- two eggs;
- one teaspoon vanilla extract;
- half a cup of Greek yogurt.
Turn the dial to 375°F (190°C) to 375°F (190°C) and prepare a muffin tin. Mix the gluten free flour blend, baking soda, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Add fresh or frozen cranberries and the zest of one orange, ensuring a fruity and zesty combination.
Combine unsweetened applesauce, olive oil, vanilla extract, honey, Greek yogurt and eggs in a separate bowl. Blend the wet ingredients into the dry ones until just combined. Be cautious not to overmix.
Fill each muffin cup with a spoon about two-thirds full with the batter. Then bake them for 20-ish minutes or insert a toothpick into the center – if it emerges clean, they’re done. Let the muffins cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
Gluten free banana bread
If you want to keep your gluten free holiday desserts simple and quick while being mouth-watering, this recipe is precisely what you’re looking for:
- three ripe bananas;
- half a cup melted butter;
- one teaspoon baking soda;
- pinch of salt;
- three-fourths cup sugar;
- one large egg, beaten;
- one teaspoon vanilla extract;
- one and a half cups gluten free all-purpose flour.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 4×8 inch loaf pan. In a mixing bowl, mash ripe bananas with a fork. Stir melted butter into the mashed bananas. Add baking soda with a pinch of salt. Incorporate sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla extract, stirring thoroughly.
Gently incorporate the gluten free flour into the batter until well combined. Pour the mixture into the loaf pan. Bake for one hour or until it passes the toothpick test.
Allow the banana bread to cool off for 10-15 minutes before moving it to a cooling grid to cool completely. Slice and savor this straightforward and flavorful gluten free banana bread with your preferred beverage.
Gluten free raspberry almond tart
We finish off our list of gluten free Christmas desserts with an elegant and fruity recipe with a perfect balance of nuttiness and sweetness. Prepare these ingredients to make it:
- two cups almond flour;
- half a cup melted butter;
- a quarter cup sugar;
- a pinch of salt;
- one cup raspberry jam;
- fresh raspberries for topping.
To create the crust, combine melted butter, almond flour, a quarter cup of sugar, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Compact the mixture into a tart pan to form an even crust. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.
Once the crust has cooled, spread raspberry jam evenly over the surface. Arrange fresh raspberries on top in a visually appealing pattern.
Refrigerate the tart for at least an hour to allow the flavors to meld. Slice and serve this delightful gluten free Raspberry Almond Tart for a sweet and nutty treat that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. Enjoy the perfect blend of almond richness and the fruity sweetness of raspberries in every bite.
Final thoughts
While diving into the holiday season, these gluten free Christmas desserts are a true delight, adding to your festive spirit. Following your gluten free diet may be particularly challenging during the holiday months. However, with these recipes, you can enjoy the most delicious desserts while keeping your diet under check. Happy holidays!
