Gluten-free Christmas dessert recipes, anyone? I’ve rounded up 30+ of my favourites for Christmas Day, from sticky toffee pudding and profiteroles to no-bake cheesecakes and my five-ingredient trifle.
There are warm puddings to share and plenty of desserts you can make ahead if the oven’s already spoken for.
My gluten-free Christmas cookbook
There are tons more festive desserts in my book, including my Black Forest Yule Log Trifle, Profiterole Wreath and Sticky Toffee Apple Pudding. Have a peek at the desserts from the book further down.
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1. Gluten-free Sticky Toffee Pudding
Let’s start with an absolute classic. I bake this gluten-free sticky toffee pudding as one big traybake, so you can cut and serve it at the table. It’s a good warm Christmas dessert when you’ve got a crowd to feed. The sponge is soft and fluffy, and I like to be generous with the sticky toffee sauce.
2. Gluten-free Baked Blueberry Cheesecake
This baked blueberry cheesecake has a buttery gluten-free digestive base and a creamy vanilla and lemon filling studded with blueberries. I spoon over a homemade blueberry topping once the cheesecake has chilled. It bakes without a water bath and sets in the fridge, so you can get it ready the day before Christmas.
3. Gluten-free Baileys Cheesecake (No-bake)
If Baileys is your thing at Christmas, this no-bake cheesecake has a buttery chocolate biscuit base, a creamy Irish cream filling and Baileys truffles on top. Mix it up and let it set in the fridge, leaving the oven free for Christmas dinner. It’s a pudding you can make ahead and bring out when you’re ready to serve.
4. Gluten-free Profiteroles
If you’ve never made gluten-free choux pastry, profiteroles are a good place to start. Once the buns are baked, pipe in the filling or split them and spoon it in if you haven’t got a piping bag. You can also use the same choux pastry for gluten-free eclairs by piping it into lines.
5. Gluten-free White Chocolate Cheesecake (No-Bake)
One of my favourite Christmas desserts, with a creamy white chocolate filling and gluten-free white chocolate truffles on top. This cheesecake sets in the fridge, so you can make it ahead without using the oven. The truffles are an easy finishing touch if you’re taking the cheesecake to someone else’s Christmas dinner.
6. Chocolate Orange Toblerone Tart (No-bake)
If you love chocolate orange, this one’s for you. The tart case is a buttery biscuit base, so there’s no pastry to roll out and no need to switch on the oven. It’s a handy make-ahead dessert when you want something with that chocolate orange flavour that you can slice and share.
7. Gluten-free Bread and Butter Pudding (3 Ways)
My mum’s version inspired this gluten-free bread and butter pudding. The bread soaks up a rich vanilla custard, then a quick spell under the grill gives it a crisp, caramelised top. Make it with raisins and sultanas, triple chocolate, or raspberry and white chocolate. I like it best warm, while the top still has its crunch.
8. Gluten-free Chocolate Orange Fondants
These little gluten-free chocolate orange puddings are all about the gooey centre. I use gluten-free chocolate orange buttons for that festive flavour. Serve the fondants warm in individual portions so everyone gets to cut into their own melting middle. They’re a good choice when you want a warm chocolate pudding for each guest.
9. Gluten-free Chocolate Orange Profiteroles
Crisp gluten-free choux buns filled with chocolate orange cream, dipped in chocolate ganache and finished with orange zest. You can pipe the filling into each bun or split them and spoon it in. The recipe also has dairy-free swaps for the pastry, filling and topping.
10. Gluten-free Hot Chocolate Pudding
One big, soft chocolate sponge traybake with hot chocolate sauce to pour over when you serve it. It’s my chocolate answer to sticky toffee pudding. Baking the sponge as one pudding makes it easy to slice and share, which is handy when you’re feeding a crowd on Christmas Day.
11. Gluten-free Baileys No-Bake Tart
Another one for the Baileys fans. This no-bake tart starts with a chocolate biscuit base and a creamy chocolate and Baileys filling. I finish it with a drizzle of white chocolate and Baileys truffles. You can chill it ahead of Christmas dinner and bring it out to slice when it’s time for pudding.
12. Gluten-free White Chocolate and Raspberry Cheesecake (No-bake)
White chocolate and raspberry is one of those combinations I come back to all year. The raspberries bring a bit of sharpness to the creamy white chocolate filling in this no-bake cheesecake. It’s a reader favourite and a good Christmas option if you want a cheesecake with fruit that can set in the fridge.
13. Dairy-free ‘Oreo’ Cheesecake (No-bake)
This Oreo-style cheesecake gets its cookies and cream flavour from gluten-free, dairy-free chocolate sandwich biscuits. It’s a no-bake option if you need a dessert that caters for both requirements. The recipe FAQ explains which dairy-free ingredients I use and how to adapt it with dairy products if you prefer.
14. Snickers No-Bake Caramel Tart
A no-bake tart for anyone who loves peanuts, caramel and chocolate. It starts with a buttery biscuit base, followed by a layer of peanut caramel and a chocolate topping. I finish it with chopped gluten-free peanut caramel chocolate for extra crunch. It’s rich enough to serve in small slices.
15. 5-Ingredient Cheat’s Gluten-free Trifle
This is the trifle I make when I want all the layers without making every one from scratch. I use jelly, gluten-free madeleines, strawberries, ready-made custard and whipped double cream. Layer it in a glass bowl so you can see the berries, then finish with extra strawberries on top.
16. Gluten-free ‘Kinder Bueno’ Cheesecake (No-bake)
I use Schär Meltos for the chocolate and hazelnut wafer flavour in this no-bake cheesecake. It’s a gluten-free take on the Kinder Bueno flavours I missed, and a good one for anyone who loves that chocolate and hazelnut combination. Put it together ahead of Christmas dinner and let it set in the fridge.
17. Gluten-free Crunchie Cheesecake (No-bake)
Creamy vanilla cheesecake, chocolate and that unmistakable honeycomb crunch. This no-bake Crunchie cheesecake sets in the fridge and doesn’t need any gluten-free flour. It’s one to make when you want a dessert with a bit of crunch and the oven’s already spoken for.
18. Toblerone Cheesecake (No-bake)
I used milk and white chocolate to get those chocolate and nougat flavours into one no-bake Toblerone cheesecake. It’s a good choice for a Christmas table full of Toblerone fans. You can make it ahead, leave it to set in the fridge and serve it in slices when you’re ready.
19. Dairy-free Vanilla Cheesecake (No-bake)
This creamy vanilla cheesecake is gluten-free and dairy-free as written, and it sets without baking. It’s a good option when you’re catering for both requirements at Christmas and want a classic vanilla dessert. I’ve listed the dairy-free alternatives I use in the recipe FAQ so you can see what to pick up before you start.
20. Gluten-free Self-Saucing Pudding
This gluten-free self-saucing pudding bakes with a soft chocolate sponge on top and its own chocolate sauce underneath. You can spoon it straight into bowls while it’s warm, with no separate jug of sauce to make. I like it with a scoop of ice cream and a little caramel when I’m feeling fancy.
21. Gluten-free Baked New York Cheesecake
Baking gives this New York cheesecake a thicker, creamier filling and a lovely crunchy biscuit base. I finish it with raspberries and raspberry compote to cut through the richness. It’s a good Christmas dessert if you like a baked cheesecake that you can bring to the table and slice to serve.
22. Gluten-free Baileys Yule Log
My Baileys yule log has a gluten-free chocolate sponge rolled around fluffy Baileys whipped cream. I cover it with chocolate buttercream and finish it with Baileys truffles. It’s one for the Irish cream fans and makes a festive centrepiece if you want a Christmas dessert to bring to the table whole.
23. Gluten-free Peach Almondine Recipe
Think Bakewell-style almond sponge baked with soft tinned peaches. The fruit keeps the sponge moist, and there’s no pastry case to make. Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you’re after a warm dessert for Christmas that’s simple to put together.
24. Gluten-free No-Bake Apple Crumble Cheesecake Recipe
My no-bake vanilla cheesecake with cinnamon apples, a buttery biscuit base and shortbread crumble on top. I finish it with a drizzle of shop-bought caramel. It has the flavours of an apple crumble in a cheesecake, which is handy when you want a dessert you can chill ahead of Christmas dinner.
25. Black Forest No-Bake Cheesecake
A no-bake Black Forest cheesecake with a chocolate biscuit base, a fluffy chocolate filling and a layer of cherries and cherry jam. Kirsch gives it that boozy Black Forest flavour, and I finish mine with grated chocolate and whipped cream. It’s a good choice when you want chocolate and fruit in the same dessert.
26. Gluten-free Chocolate Caramel No-bake Tart
This no-bake tart has a chocolate biscuit base, a thick layer of caramel and a smooth chocolate ganache. Think millionaire’s shortbread in dessert form. I finish mine with salted caramel truffles and a drizzle of caramel. It’s one you can get ready ahead without turning on the oven.
27. Gluten-free Cookie Pie
Crisp on the outside with soft cookie dough, melted chocolate chips and chocolate spread in the middle. I serve this gluten-free cookie pie warm with vanilla ice cream. If you’re making it for someone who’s dairy-free as well, the recipe FAQ explains the swaps you can use.
28. Gluten-free Chocolate Meringue Pie
A chocolate biscuit base filled with a three-ingredient chocolate ganache and topped with soft Italian meringue. The topping stays marshmallowy, and the biscuit base saves you making pastry. It’s a good one when you want a chocolate dessert that looks like you’ve spent longer on it than you have.
29. Gluten-free Percy Pig Profiteroles
Gluten-free choux buns with a creamy white chocolate filling and homemade raspberry glaze. The choux is crisp outside and light inside, with room for plenty of filling. Finish with a cheeky Percy Pig or two if you like, then pig in. Erm, dig in!
30. Gluten-free Baileys Melting Middle Chocolate Pots
These little Baileys chocolate pots bake in ramekins from one mixture. You get a light chocolate sponge with a slightly crisp outside and a gooey chocolate and Baileys centre. I’d make these when everyone wants their own warm pudding, especially if you’re looking for something with a melting middle.
31. Gluten-free Triple Chocolate No-Bake Cheesecake
A cocoa biscuit base, a creamy cheesecake filling with white chocolate and either milk or dark chocolate, and grated white chocolate on top. It all sets in the fridge, so you can leave the oven free. I like finishing it with whatever festive gluten-free chocolates I have to hand.
32. Gluten-free Apple Crumble
Soft cinnamon apples under a buttery, crunchy crumble. Gluten-free oats are optional if you want a little more chew in the topping. Serve it warm with gluten-free custard or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It’s one of those classic puddings I make long after Christmas too.
Thanks so much for reading and I hope you have an amazing Christmas! If you make one of these desserts, please take a photo and tag me on Instagram. Seeing what you make is always one of my favourite parts of Christmas.
Becky xxx
More desserts from my gluten-free Christmas cookbook
If you’re after even more ideas for the big day, here’s a peek inside the dessert chapter of my Gluten-free Christmas cookbook. There’s a Black Forest yule log trifle, a profiterole wreath, a sticky caramel pear tart and even a baked Alaska!
There’s plenty for the rest of Christmas too, including the big dinner, festive baking, party food and ideas for leftovers. You can take a look inside my Christmas cookbook or get a copy on Amazon.
Gluten-free Christmas dessert FAQs
Which gluten-free Christmas desserts can I make the day before?
I make my no-bake Baileys cheesecake the day before so it can set in the fridge overnight. My baked blueberry cheesecake is another good one to get ready early. Let the cheesecake chill, then spoon over the cooled blueberry topping before serving.
Which gluten-free Christmas desserts can I freeze ahead?
I slice my sticky toffee pudding before freezing and keep the toffee sauce separate so I can defrost just what I need. My bread and butter pudding can also be frozen in portions once cool. Defrost those portions overnight in the fridge and reheat until piping hot.
What gluten-free Christmas desserts can I make without an oven?
My five-ingredient trifle is the one I make when the oven’s already spoken for. I use gluten-free madeleines and ready-made custard, so the layers are easy to put together. If you fancy something chocolatey, my no-bake chocolate caramel tart has a biscuit base and sets in the fridge.
Can I make gluten-free Christmas desserts dairy-free?
Yes. My vanilla cheesecake and Oreo-style cheesecake are both gluten-free and dairy-free. If you’d like to serve something warm, my self-saucing chocolate pudding has a dairy-free option. Check each recipe’s FAQ for the swaps I use.
What can I serve instead of a traditional Christmas pudding?
My hot chocolate sponge pudding is a good choice if you still want something warm with a jug of sauce on the table. For a fruity pudding, my apple crumble is lovely with custard. If you want a dessert to slice at the table, try my Baileys yule log.
Which gluten-free Christmas desserts can I serve in individual portions?
My chocolate orange fondants and Baileys melting middle chocolate pots both bake in individual ramekins. Serve the pots warm in their ramekins, or follow the fondant recipe’s instructions for baking them in mini pudding tins if you want to turn them out onto plates.
