If you’re putting together a list of gluten free holiday treats this year, same.

One of my close friends can’t have gluten, so I’ve gotten into the habit of making her a little batch of something she can actually eat.

It became a whole thing where I test new recipes and she shows up happy because she knows there’s a plate with her name on it.

It’s honestly made holiday baking feel way more fun and thoughtful, and I love having treats everyone can enjoy without feeling left out.

Let’s get into some ideas you can make for your own people!

1. Gluten Free Oreo Truffles

These are the kind of treats you make when you want something cute and bite sized without putting in a ton of effort.

They look fancy on a holiday plate even though they take about ten minutes to mix together.

They’re great for gifting because they hold up well in the fridge.

Ingredients

• 1 package gluten free chocolate sandwich cookies
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup chocolate chips (for melting)

Steps

1. Crush the cookies into fine crumbs.
2. Mix the crumbs with the cream cheese until a soft dough forms.
3. Roll into small balls and chill for 20 minutes.
4. Melt the chocolate chips and dip each ball.
5. Let them set on parchment in the fridge.

2. Gluten Free Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

These always look like they took serious baking skills, but they’re super forgiving.

The crinkle pattern shows up on its own and they bake up soft and fudgy.

Perfect if you want a classic holiday cookie without gluten.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cocoa powder
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup gluten free all purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)

Steps

1. Mix cocoa powder, sugar, and brown sugar.
2. Add eggs and whisk until smooth.
3. Stir in flour and baking powder.
4. Chill the dough for at least 1 hour.
5. Roll in powdered sugar and bake at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes.

3. Gluten Free Hot Cocoa Cookies

These taste like a cozy mug of hot chocolate in cookie form.

They’re soft, chocolatey, and look cute topped with mini marshmallows.

They’re always a hit with kids and adults.

Ingredients

• 1 cup gluten free flour
• ½ cup cocoa powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup butter, softened
• ½ cup sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla
• ½ cup chocolate chips
• Mini marshmallows

Steps

1. Mix dry ingredients in one bowl.
2. Cream butter and sugars in another bowl.
3. Add egg and vanilla.
4. Stir in the dry ingredients.
5. Fold in chocolate chips.
6. Add marshmallows on top and bake at 350°F for 10 minutes.

4. Gluten Free Whipped Shortbread Cookies

These melt in your mouth and need almost no effort.

They’re light, buttery, and look instantly festive with sprinkles on top.

No chilling means you can bake them right away.

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1 ½ cups gluten free flour
• Frosting (optional)
• Holiday sprinkles

Steps

1. Beat butter and powdered sugar until fluffy.
2. Add the gluten free flour and mix until airy.
3. Drop small scoops onto a baking sheet.
4. Add sprinkles.
5. Bake at 325°F for 12 to 15 minutes.

5. Gluten Free Christmas Crack

This one never lasts long because everyone keeps grabbing pieces as they walk by.

It’s the perfect mix of salty, sweet, crunchy, and chocolatey.

Using gluten free crackers makes it super easy.

Ingredients

• 1 sleeve gluten free crackers
• 1 cup butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 cups chocolate chips
• Holiday sprinkles

Steps

1. Lay crackers on a parchment lined tray.
2. Melt butter and brown sugar until bubbly.
3. Pour over crackers and bake at 350°F for 10 minutes.
4. Add chocolate chips and spread once melted.
5. Add sprinkles and chill before breaking apart.

6. Gluten Free Holiday Pretzel Bark

If you want something colorful and crunchy, this is the one.

The mix of pretzels, white chocolate, and peppermint is super festive.

It also makes great edible gifts.

Ingredients

• 2 cups gluten free pretzels
• 2 cups white chocolate chips
• ½ cup crushed candy canes
• Holiday sprinkles

Steps

1. Spread pretzels on a baking sheet.
2. Melt white chocolate until smooth.
3. Pour and spread over the pretzels.
4. Sprinkle candy canes and sprinkles on top.
5. Chill and break into pieces.

7. Gluten Free White Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

These cookies are soft, sweet, and have a little crunch from the candy canes.

They feel super holiday themed without being too mint heavy.

Great for cookie boxes and parties.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups gluten free flour
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup butter
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ⅓ cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla
• ¾ cup white chocolate chips
• ½ cup crushed candy canes

Steps

1. Mix flour, baking soda, and salt.
2. Cream butter and sugars.
3. Add egg and vanilla.
4. Stir in the dry ingredients.
5. Fold in chocolate chips and candy canes.
6. Bake at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes.

8. Gluten Free Christmas Brownie Bites

These are perfect when you want brownies, but make them cute and easy to share.

They stay fudgy in the middle and look adorable with toppings.

You can keep them plain or dress them up.

Ingredients

• 1 box gluten free brownie mix
• Ingredients listed on the box
• Optional toppings: crushed candy canes, powdered sugar, frosting, sprinkles

Steps

1. Prepare brownie batter as directed.
2. Spoon into a greased mini muffin tin.
3. Bake according to temperature for 12 to 15 minutes.
4. Cool before removing.
5. Add toppings if you want.

9. Gluten Free Snowball Cookies

These classic holiday cookies taste buttery and a little nutty.

They’re soft, crumbly, and covered in powdered sugar.

They also store really well in a cookie tin.

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 2 cups gluten free flour
• 1 cup finely chopped pecans
• Extra powdered sugar

Steps

1. Mix butter and powdered sugar.
2. Add flour and pecans.
3. Roll dough into small balls.
4. Bake at 350°F for 12 minutes.
5. Roll warm cookies in powdered sugar, then again once cool.

10. Gluten Free Gingerbread Cookie Bars

These bars give you all the cozy gingerbread flavors without rolling out dough.

They’re soft, warm, and make your kitchen smell amazing.

Frosting on top is optional but very good.

Ingredients

• 2 cups gluten free flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup butter
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ⅓ cup molasses
• 1 egg

Steps

1. Mix flour, baking soda, spices, and salt.
2. Cream butter and brown sugar.
3. Add molasses and egg.
4. Stir in dry ingredients.
5. Spread in a greased pan and bake at 350°F for 20 to 25 minutes.

11. Gluten Free Christmas Fudge

This is the easiest treat to make when you want something rich but low effort.

It sets beautifully in the fridge and cuts into clean squares.

Add sprinkles to make it feel extra festive.

Ingredients

• 3 cups chocolate chips
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 tsp vanilla
• Holiday sprinkles

Steps

1. Melt chocolate chips and condensed milk over low heat.
2. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
3. Pour into a lined dish.
4. Add sprinkles.
5. Chill for a few hours and slice.

12. Gluten Free Mini Cranberry Cheesecakes

These look adorable on a dessert table and taste bright and creamy.

The cranberry topping adds that perfect holiday pop of flavor.

They’re easy to serve since everyone gets their own little portion.

Ingredients

• 1 cup gluten free graham crumbs
• 3 tbsp melted butter
• 16 oz cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup cranberry sauce

Steps

1. Mix graham crumbs and butter, then press into lined muffin tins.
2. Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
3. Add eggs and vanilla.
4. Fill cups three quarters full.
5. Bake at 325°F for 18 to 20 minutes.
6. Cool, then top with cranberry sauce.

13. Gluten Free Snickerdoodle Cookies

These are soft, cozy, and rolled in cinnamon sugar.

They’re a classic holiday cookie that happens to work really well gluten free.

People always love these because they stay chewy.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups gluten free flour
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp cream of tartar
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup butter
• ¾ cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 tbsp sugar (for rolling)
• 1 tsp cinnamon (for rolling)

Steps

1. Mix flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt.
2. Cream butter and sugar.
3. Add egg and vanilla.
4. Stir in the dry ingredients.
5. Roll dough balls in cinnamon sugar.
6. Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes.

14. Gluten Free Christmas Pavlova

This one looks fancy but it’s honestly pretty simple.

The crisp shell and marshmallowy center make it feel special, and you can top it with whatever fruit looks good.

It’s naturally gluten free too, which helps a lot.

Ingredients

• 4 egg whites
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp vinegar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• Whipped cream
• Fresh berries or pomegranate

Steps

1. Beat egg whites until soft peaks form.
2. Slowly add sugar until glossy.
3. Fold in cornstarch, vinegar, and vanilla.
4. Shape on a parchment lined pan.
5. Bake at 250°F for 1 hour, then cool.
6. Top with whipped cream and fruit.

15. Gluten Free Chai Sugar Cookies

These give sugar cookies a warm twist with chai spices.

They’re soft, sweet, and perfect with tea or hot chocolate.

The spices make them feel extra cozy without a lot of effort.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups gluten free flour
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup butter
• ¾ cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp ginger
• ¼ tsp cardamom
• ¼ tsp cloves

Steps

1. Mix flour, baking soda, salt, and spices.
2. Cream butter and sugar.
3. Add egg and vanilla.
4. Stir in the dry ingredients.
5. Scoop onto a sheet and bake at 350°F for 10 minutes.

16. Gluten Free Gingerbread Cookies

These are classic, spicy, and great for decorating.

The dough holds its shape, so your gingerbread people don’t melt into blobs.

It’s a fun one to make with kids or for cookie boxes.

Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups gluten free flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 ½ tsp ginger
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp cloves
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup butter
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup molasses
• 1 egg

Steps

1. Mix flour, baking soda, spices, and salt.
2. Cream butter and brown sugar.
3. Add molasses and egg.
4. Stir in dry ingredients.
5. Chill dough for 1 hour.
6. Roll, cut shapes, and bake at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes.

17. Gluten Free Gingerbread Chocolate Tart

This feels like a grown up holiday dessert.

The crust has warm gingerbread spices, and the chocolate filling is silky and rich.

It’s surprisingly easy to pull together for something that looks elegant.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups gluten free cookie crumbs
• 4 tbsp melted butter
• 1 tsp ginger
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1 tsp vanilla

Steps

1. Mix crumbs, melted butter, and spices.
2. Press into a tart pan.
3. Heat cream until steaming, then pour over chocolate chips.
4. Stir until smooth and add vanilla.
5. Pour into crust and chill until set.

18. Gluten Free Cranberry Bars

These have a sweet crust, a tart cranberry center, and a soft crumble on top.

They’re bright, fruity, and perfect for anyone who loves cranberries.

They slice nicely for holiday platters.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups gluten free flour
• ½ cup sugar
• ½ cup butter
• 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
• ½ cup sugar (for filling)
• 1 tbsp cornstarch

Steps

1. Mix flour, sugar, and butter until crumbly.
2. Press half into a pan.
3. Toss cranberries with sugar and cornstarch.
4. Spread over the crust.
5. Sprinkle remaining crumble on top.
6. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes.

19. Gluten Free Cranberry Coffee Cake

This is soft, sweet, and great for brunch or dessert.

The cranberries add a nice tart contrast to the cake. I

t’s one of those recipes people ask you to make again.

Ingredients

• 2 cups gluten free flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 ½ cups cranberries

Steps

1. Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
2. Add butter, eggs, sour cream, and vanilla.
3. Stir until smooth.
4. Fold in cranberries.
5. Bake in a greased pan at 350°F for 35 to 40 minutes.

20. Gluten Free Black Forest Trifle

This trifle looks super impressive but it’s honestly one of the easiest desserts to throw together.

You get layers of rich chocolate cake, creamy pudding, whipped topping, and cherries all in one spoonful.

It’s great for holiday parties because it feeds a crowd and feels a little extra without a ton of work.

Ingredients

• 1 box gluten free chocolate cake mix
• Ingredients listed on the cake mix box
• 1 box instant chocolate pudding mix (gluten free)
• 2 cups cold milk
• 1 can cherry pie filling
• 2 cups whipped cream or whipped topping
• Chocolate shavings or crushed chocolate for topping

Steps

1. Bake the gluten free chocolate cake according to the package and let it cool completely.
2. Whisk the chocolate pudding mix with cold milk until it thickens.
3. Cut or crumble the cooled cake into chunks.
4. Layer half the cake pieces into a trifle dish.
5. Spread half the chocolate pudding on top.
6. Add half the cherry pie filling.
7. Spoon on a layer of whipped cream.
8. Repeat the layers with the remaining ingredients.
9. Finish with whipped cream and chocolate shavings on top.
10. Chill for at least 1 hour before serving.

21. Gluten Free Sugar Cookies

These are simple, sweet, and perfect for decorating.

The dough doesn’t spread much so your shapes stay crisp.

They’re great for kids, parties, or cookie decorating nights.

Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups gluten free flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup butter
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt

Steps

1. Mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. Cream butter and sugar.
3. Add egg and vanilla.
4. Stir in dry ingredients.
5. Chill for 1 hour.
6. Roll, cut, and bake at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes.

22. Gluten Free Christmas Pudding

This is a cozy, traditional dessert that naturally works well with gluten free swaps.

It’s warm, fruity, and full of holiday spices.

It’s even better with a little whipped cream on top.

Ingredients

• 1 cup gluten free breadcrumbs
• 1 cup mixed dried fruit
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup butter, melted
• 2 eggs
• 1 tbsp molasses
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• ½ tsp ginger

Steps

1. Mix breadcrumbs, fruit, and brown sugar.
2. Add butter, eggs, molasses, and spices.
3. Stir until combined.
4. Pour into a greased bowl or pudding mold.
5. Steam for 1 ½ to 2 hours until firm.

Bringing Gluten Free Joy to the Dessert Table

It doesn’t take much to make everyone feel included, and having a few gluten free treats in the mix can make such a difference.

Once you try a couple of these, you’ll see how easy it is to build a holiday spread that feels warm, fun, and totally stress free.

Pick a few favorites, try something new, and enjoy the little moment when someone realizes they can actually eat the dessert you made just for them!

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Looking for more yummy Christmas ideas? I've got you!

• Christmas Main Course Ideas (That Aren't Turkey!)
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• Quick and Easy Christmas Cookies