Gluten-Free Holiday Desserts

Published Dec 05, 2012 10:00 AM

White Chocolate-Cream Cheese Mousse
In this updated take on a classic French dessert, cream cheese adds stability and a pleasing tang, which balances the sweet white chocolate without overpowering it. Todd Coleman

Indulge in 15 holiday sweets made entirely without gluten, from gingerbread cookies to white-chocolate cream cheese mousse.

Chocolate Mousse

This simple yet sophisticated, airy yet intense concoction has been a hit with home cooks in America at least since the New York Times published its first recipe for the dessert in 1955. Get the recipe for Chocolate Mousse »

Basler Brunsli (Chocolate-Almond Spice Cookies)

Almonds, sugar, and chocolate are ground fine and bound together with egg whites to create a satisfyingly chewy texture, while cinnamon and cloves impart an unmistakable flavor of old-fashioned Christmas cheer. See the recipe for (Chocolate-Almond Spice Cookies) »

White Chocolate-Cardamom Panna Cotta

Sweetened with white chocolate only, this rich, Middle Eastern-inspired panna cotta gets its distinctive floral aroma from an infusion of blistered cardamom.

Pine Nut Brittle

Crunchy, salty, and rosemary-scented, pine nut brittle makes a great gift.

Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cookies

A blend of white rice flour, potato starch, and tapioca starch makes a perfect gluten-free base for these sweet and spicy cookies that have long been a holiday favorite.

Corsican Lemon Mousse

This rich, silky mousse brightened with tangy lemons makes an elegant end to a meal.

Chewy Almond Macaroons

Chewy Almond Macaroons

Gluten-Free Vanilla Crescent Cookies

Akin to the famed Mexican wedding cookies, Greek kourambiethes, and Southern pecan puffs, these crumbly shortbread crescents, made gluten-free with a variety of specialty flours, are showered with confectioners’ sugar while still hot from the oven.

Swedish Rice Pudding

Serving this silky dessert at room temperature is the best way to bring out its subtle notes of citrus and spice. See the recipe for Swedish Rice Pudding »

Almond Caramels

Mini caramels flavored with almond, orange zest, and syrup make simple, delicious treats (and wonderful gifts).

White Chocolate-Cream Cheese Mousse

In this updated take on a classic French dessert, cream cheese adds stability and a pleasing tang, which balances the sweet white chocolate without overpowering it.
Modeled after the classic Creamsicle, these orange meringue kisses sandwiched with buttery white chocolate are a lively and bright addition to the holiday cookie spread.

Baci Di Dama (Hazelnut Meringue Sandwich Cookies)

Little hazelnut meringues sandwiched with milk chocolate make light and elegant desserts.
Sweet, buttery, and chewy, classic sugar cookies maintain all of their charm even without gluten. See the recipe for Gluten-Free Sugar Cookies »

Pistachio Shortbread Cookies

An adaptation of Basque Christmas cookies, these crumbly harinados are made with ground up pistachios and a blend of gluten-free flours.

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