26 Gluten-Free Dessert Recipes to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth
Adopting a gluten-free diet is voluntary for some and essential for others. Finding a satisfying gluten-free dessert can be one of the bigger challenges when removing wheat and other gluten-containing ingredients from your baking. Dessert should be for everyone, though, and this collection highlights dozens of delicious gluten-free dessert ideas. Some of these treats are naturally gluten-free while others can easily be made gluten-free by swapping in a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour for regular wheat flour.
Bob’s Red Mill produces a range of gluten-free flours, including a reliable 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour that works well for cakes, brownies, quick breads, muffins, and other baked goods. Cup4Cup and King Arthur are other strong brands; King Arthur tends to excel for breads while the 1-to-1 baking blends are ideal for many desserts. Be sure to check labels and packaging to confirm products are certified or labeled gluten-free.
Always read ingredient lists on everything you use — chocolate, candies, sauces, and cake decorations — to ensure they’re gluten-free. If you’re preparing food for someone with celiac disease or a serious gluten sensitivity, take precautions against cross-contamination in your kitchen. With care, the answer to “who wants dessert?” can be yes for everyone!
Dessert should be for everyone and here are dozens of gluten-free dessert recipes to end any meal on a sweet note.
27 Gluten-Free Dessert Recipes
Nut-Free Flourless Chocolate Cake
This gluten-free cake is perfect for Passover or any time you want a rich chocolate dessert without nuts or flour.
View Recipe
Old-Fashioned Chocolate Fudge
Plain and simple, this smooth, creamy chocolate fudge uses a short ingredient list and is naturally gluten-free.
View Recipe
Easy Raspberry Fool
A pretty, four-ingredient summer dessert that doesn’t require the oven — a simple mix of berries and whipped cream that adapts well to other fruits.
View Recipe
How to Make Ice Cream Sandwiches
Step-by-step instructions for fun, crowd-pleasing ice cream sandwiches. Use gluten-free cookies and double-check that ice cream and toppings are gluten-free.
View Recipe
No-Churn Ice Cream
Make rich, creamy gluten-free ice cream without an ice cream maker. Be mindful that any mix-ins or toppings are gluten-free.
View Recipe
Gluten-Free Caramel Sauce
Creamy, rich, and incredibly easy — this caramel sauce elevates ice cream, brownies, and more. The ingredient list is short and straightforward.
View Recipe
Grilled Peaches
Grilling enhances peaches at peak season. Serve warm with gluten-free vanilla ice cream for a simple, spectacular dessert.
View Recipe
Creamy Rice Pudding
A classic comfort dessert: creamy, cinnamon-scented rice pudding that’s warm and soothing.
View Recipe
Ricotta Pie
A creamy, lightly sweet Italian-style cheesecake that’s quick to assemble. The filling is gluten-free; use a gluten-free crust to make the whole pie safe for gluten-free diets.
View Recipe
Brown Sugar Fudge
Also called penuche, this creamy brown sugar fudge offers a lovely alternative to traditional chocolate fudge.
View Recipe
Homemade Chocolate Pudding
Rich, chocolatey, and creamy — an easy homemade pudding to serve with whipped cream.
View Recipe
Perfect Whipped Cream
Tips and techniques to make perfect homemade whipped cream every time — a small addition that transforms many desserts.
View Recipe
Sweet Potato Pie with Whipped Cream
A gluten-free pie when made with a gluten-free crust. Rich, spiced, and excellent topped with whipped cream. (Several brands offer gluten-free pie crusts if you prefer store-bought.)
View Recipe
Best Banana Cream Pie
A nostalgic, diner-style banana cream pie. Use a gluten-free crust to keep the whole pie gluten-free.
View Recipe
Easy Chocolate Mousse
Light, airy, and luxuriously indulgent chocolate mousse finished with whipped cream.
View Recipe
Scotcheroos
No-bake bar cookies made with crisp rice cereal (pick a gluten-free brand), a peanut butter-sweet syrup, and a chocolate-butterscotch topping.
View Recipe
No-Bake Buckeye Balls
Peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate — a holiday favorite that’s easy to make and package for gifts.
View Recipe
Desserts You Can Make by Subbing Gluten-Free Baking Flour
Easy Fresh Peach Clafoutis
A custardy batter yields a moist cake that gently surrounds fresh peaches — works well with gluten-free flour substitutions.
View Recipe
Easy Chocolate Banana Snacking Cake
A versatile cake that works for breakfast, snack time, or dessert — easily made gluten-free by using a gluten-free flour blend.
View Recipe
Orange Cake
Bright, citrusy, and easy to bake. This orange cake can be baked in a loaf or a round pan and adapts well to gluten-free flour blends.
View Recipe
Butterscotch Brownies (aka Blondies)
Bar cookies with the density of a brownie and the sweet butterscotch flavor of blondies — swap in gluten-free flour to make them gluten-free.
View Recipe
Salted Caramel Brownies
Fudgy brownies swirled with caramel and a touch of salt — decadent and well worth making with a gluten-free flour substitute if needed.
View Recipe
Lemon Squares
A perfect balance of sweet and tart — lemon squares adapt well to gluten-free shortbreads for the crust.
View Recipe
Devil’s Food Cake
Rich, deeply chocolatey cake with optional fudgy topping and chocolate buttercream. Made with gluten-free flour, it’s hard to tell the difference and it can stay moist for days.
View Recipe
Best One-Pot Fudgy Brownies
An exceptionally fudgy, chocolate-forward brownie that’s rich and satisfying — works well with gluten-free flour substitutes.
View Recipe
Favorite Streusel Apple Crisp
A fall classic: tender, spiced apples topped with a thick, crisp streusel made using gluten-free flour and oats.
View Recipe
Lemon Cake
A bright lemon cake with a sweet white icing — pleasantly lemony without being overly sweet, and great with a gluten-free flour swap.
