Gluten-free Christmas baking recipes, anyone? I’ve rounded up 50+ of my favourites, from buttery mince pies and gingerbread biscuits to chocolate yule logs and warm puddings for Christmas Day.
There’s plenty to bake with kids or box up as an edible gift, plus savoury bakes for the Christmas buffet and a Wellington for Boxing Day leftovers.
My gluten-free Christmas cookbook
There are tons more festive bakes in my book, including a melted snowman Christmas cake, cranberry pistachio biscotti and a gingerbread house. Have a peek at the bakes from the book at the bottom of this post.
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1. Gluten-free Mince Pies
The buttery, flaky shortcrust pastry is my favourite part of these mince pies. I use a jar of mincemeat, so once the pastry is rolled out there’s very little left to do. Cut out little stars for the tops or go for full lids if you like plenty of pastry in every bite.
2. Gluten-free Christmas Cake
My classic Christmas fruit cake is rich, moist and full of mixed dried fruit. I like it with amaretto, though brandy works too. It’s a good one to bake in advance so the flavours have time to develop, then you can get the marzipan and icing out when you’re ready to decorate.
3. Gluten-free Chocolate Yule Log
A light chocolate sponge with a proper swirl of fluffy chocolate icing. The trick is to roll the sponge in baking paper while it’s still warm and let it cool rolled up. Once it’s filled and covered in icing, a dusting of icing sugar makes it look like it’s been snowing.
4. Gluten-free Gingerbread Men in Christmas Jumpers
These gingerbread biscuits have plenty of spice and hold their shape in the oven, so you can get the Christmas cutters out. I give mine little Christmas jumpers with icing once they’re cool. It’s a fun one to make with kids, especially if everyone gets to design their own jumper.
5. Gluten-free Stollen Bites
These little stollen bites started with my gluten-free scone recipe. They’re packed with festive flavour, with mixed fruit and a little marzipan tucked inside. You can make the dough by hand and have them baked in about half an hour. Finish with a generous dusting of icing sugar.
6. Gluten-free Frangipane-Topped Mince Pies
These have the same flaky gluten-free shortcrust pastry as my classic mince pies, with soft almond frangipane over the mincemeat. The topping goes golden in the oven and gives them a lovely Bakewell flavour. They’re the ones I’d make for someone who loves almonds as much as they love mince pies.
7. Gluten-free Iced Mince Pies
I top these buttery mince pies with a thick layer of glacé icing, the kind made with just icing sugar and water. Let the pies cool before adding it so the icing stays where you put it. A jar of mincemeat keeps the filling easy and gives you more time for decorating.
8. Gluten-free Christmas Chocolate Cake
If your family always goes for the chocolate cake at Christmas, this is the one I’d bake. It’s a two-layer chocolate sponge with fudgy chocolate icing and a handful of festive chocolates to finish. The decorating is as simple as arranging the chocolates on top, and the recipe has dairy-free swaps too.
9. Gluten-free Mince Pie Pop Tarts
These little pastry parcels have a sticky mincemeat centre and a layer of icing and sprinkles on top. I make them with my gluten-free shortcrust pastry, cut into rectangles and baked until golden. They’re fun to make if you’ve got half a jar of mincemeat to use up.
10. Gluten-free Mini Gingerbread Houses
I make these from spiced gingerbread sweetened with golden syrup and dark muscovado sugar. There’s a template in the recipe so you can cut out matching pieces for the walls and roof. Once they’re baked and cool, the fun bit is sticking them together with icing and decorating them.
11. Gluten-free Christmas Cookies for Decorating
These are my cut-out Christmas biscuits for when I want to spend an afternoon icing stars, trees and anything else in my cutter tin. The recipe includes a video of how I ice them. Bake the biscuits first and let them cool, then set out a few colours and let everyone have a go.
12. Gluten-free Chocolate Shortbread Wreaths
I cut these shortbread biscuits into little wreaths, then decorate them with chocolate once they’re cool. They look lovely on a plate at Christmas and make a nice edible gift if you pop a few into a box. The recipe has dairy-free and vegan swaps if you’re baking for someone who needs them.
13. Gluten-free Lebkuchen
My gluten-free take on the chewy German Christmas biscuits. I use ground almonds and hazelnuts, citrus zest, cocoa and Christmas spices, with maple syrup in the dough. They get a quick lemon glacé icing once they’re cool, which gives the sweet, spiced biscuits a little sharpness.
14. Gluten-free Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
These are the chocolate cookies that look as though they’ve been dusted with snow. The icing sugar coating cracks in the oven as the cookies spread, leaving a fudgy chocolate middle. They’re a good bake to box up for Christmas gifts, and the recipe is dairy-free as written.
15. Gluten-free Christmas Gingerbread Cookies
All the warmth of gingerbread in a chunky bakery-style cookie. These have crisp edges, chewy middles and pieces of white chocolate. I shape the dough into rough balls so plenty of chocolate peeks through the tops. The recipe includes dairy-free and vegan options and an extra drizzle of white chocolate if you fancy it.
16. Gluten-free Mint Chocolate Cookies
These chunky mint chocolate cookies have soft centres and chocolate buttons that melt into little pockets as they bake. They’re handy for a Christmas biscuit tin if you’re baking for a mint chocolate fan. I make mine dairy-free and vegan, and the recipe lists the swaps I use.
17. Gluten-free Christmas Cookie Bars
If you want chewy chocolate chip cookies for a crowd, bake the dough in one tin and slice it into bars. You can mix this one by hand and finish it with your favourite gluten-free festive chocolates. It’s an easy traybake to cut into little squares for a Christmas buffet.
18. Gluten-free Christmas Brownies
My fudgy chocolate brownies dressed up for Christmas with festive chocolates and crushed candy cane. The recipe gives you two flavours to choose from, chocolate orange or mint chocolate. I like cutting them into small squares for a party so everyone can have a little bit alongside the other bakes.
19. Gluten-free Festive Brookie Bars
A crunchy chocolate chip cookie base, a gooey brownie layer and chocolate caramels tucked between the two. I use gluten-free baking mixes for both layers, then finish the bars with milk chocolate ganache and festive sprinkles. Cut them into squares once the topping has set for a Christmas buffet.
20. Gluten-free Brandy Snaps
These crisp, lacy biscuits get their shape from rolling them around the handle of a wooden spoon while they’re still pliable. I like dipping the ends in chocolate and adding a cream filling. They look lovely on a Christmas pudding platter, and you can fill them just before serving to keep the shells crisp.
21. 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.
22. Gluten-free Sticky Gingerbread Loaf Cake
Stem ginger is what gives this sticky gingerbread loaf its warmth, alongside ground ginger in the sponge. I bake it in a loaf tin, so it’s easy to slice for a cup of tea or wrap up to take to someone’s house over Christmas. The recipe is dairy-free as written.
23. Gluten-free Chocolate Orange Yule Log
A festive chocolate orange take on my classic yule log, with a soft rolled sponge and chocolate orange icing. I cover the outside with more icing and finish it with chocolate orange pieces. Roll the sponge in baking paper while it’s warm to get that lovely swirl when you slice it.
24. 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.
25. Gluten-free Mint Chocolate Yule Log
If you’re the one who goes straight for the mint chocolates at Christmas, this is your yule log. I roll a light chocolate sponge around a mint filling, then decorate the outside with chocolate icing. It’s a lovely one to slice at the table so everyone can see the swirl.
26. Gluten-free Mini Yule Logs
Each of these little chocolate sponge rolls has its own swirl of filling, just like a full-size yule log. I finish them with chocolate and decorate them individually. They’re good for a Christmas party because everyone can pick up their own, and they’re a fun size for little bakers to decorate.
27. Gluten-free Mini Colin the Caterpillar Yule Logs
My mini Christmas caterpillar cakes start with little chocolate sponge rolls. The chocolate coating and faces are what bring them to life, and the recipe shows you how to assemble and decorate them. It’s the festive baking project I’d pick if the kids want to make something a bit more involved.
28. Gluten-free Lemon Swiss Roll
A light gluten-free sponge rolled around whipped cream and lemon curd, finished with a dusting of icing sugar. It’s the one I’d put on the table if someone wants something lemony after Christmas dinner. The recipe walks you through rolling the sponge while it’s warm so you can get a neat swirl.
29. Gluten-free Gingerbread Cupcakes
Spiced gingerbread cupcakes with a gooey caramel centre and lightly spiced vanilla buttercream. I sit a little gingerbread biscuit on each one so you can see exactly what flavour you’re getting. The recipe shows you how to fill the cupcakes and includes dairy-free swaps for the sponge, filling and icing.
30. Gluten-free Reindeer Cupcakes
A few gluten-free pretzels, edible eyes and red chocolates turn chocolate cupcakes into a whole herd of reindeer. The pretzels make the antlers, so there’s very little fiddly icing work. I like setting out the toppings and letting everyone give their own reindeer a face once the cakes are cool.
31. Gluten-free Snowman Cupcakes
These start with chocolate cupcakes and fluffy white chocolate buttercream. The snowman is a white chocolate-covered gluten-free sandwich biscuit, with desiccated coconut scattered around it for snow. You can bake the cupcakes first and leave the snowman decorating for later, which makes this a fun Christmas baking project with kids.
32. Gluten-free Christmas Tree Cupcakes
Moist chocolate cupcakes with little piped Christmas trees on top. I like putting out a few pots of sprinkles so everyone can decorate their own tree. The recipe takes you through making the buttercream and piping the shape, so they’re a good place to start if you’re new to cupcake decorating.
33. Gluten-free KitKat Santa Christmas Cupcakes
Chocolate cupcakes with a spoonful of Nutella hidden in the middle and a swirl of Nutella buttercream on top. The festive chocolate Santa is the finishing touch. You can bake the cakes first, then fill and decorate them once cool. The recipe also gives alternatives if you’re making them dairy-free.
34. Gluten-free Nutella Christmas Tree
Gluten-free puff pastry and Nutella are the stars of this three-ingredient Christmas tree. Cut the pastry into branches and give each one a twist before baking so the chocolate shows through. It’s a quick festive bake to put in the middle of the table and let everyone pull off a branch.
35. Gluten-free Sticky Toffee Pudding
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.
36. 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.
37. Gluten-free Hot Chocolate Sponge 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.
38. Gluten-free Self-Saucing Chocolate 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.
39. 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.
40. 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.
41. 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.
42. 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.
43. 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!
44. 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.
45. 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.
46. Gluten-free Peach Almondine
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.
47. 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.
48. Gluten-free Doughball Wreath with Baked Camembert
A ring of soft gluten-free doughballs to tear off and dip into a baked Camembert. I like bringing it out warm so everyone can pull off a doughball while the cheese is still gooey. It’s a savoury centrepiece for a Christmas buffet and gives the gluten-free guests something to tear and share.
49. Gluten-free Pesto and Mozzarella Christmas Tree
This savoury puff pastry Christmas tree is filled with pesto and cream cheese, with mozzarella for a little extra cheesiness. Twist the branches before baking and bring the whole tree to the table while it’s warm. It’s an easy one for a Christmas buffet if you start with ready-rolled gluten-free puff pastry.
50. Gluten-free Puff Pastry Pizza Pinwheels
Four ingredients and about half an hour are all you need for these crisp puff pastry pinwheels. Roll up gluten-free puff pastry with pizza sauce and mozzarella, then slice it into rounds before baking. They’re handy for a Christmas party because you can put out a whole tray of bite-sized pizza swirls.
51. Gluten-free Sausage Rolls
My five-ingredient sausage rolls use gluten-free puff pastry wrapped around sausage meat. Cut them into little rolls for a buffet and bake until the pastry is golden and flaky. They’re just as welcome on the table at a Christmas party as they are for a Boxing Day lunch.
52. Gluten-free Christmas Leftovers Wellington
My Boxing Day bake for leftover roast veg, turkey and pigs in blankets. I layer them with cranberry sauce, then wrap everything in gluten-free puff pastry and bake until crisp. It slices like a Wellington and makes a proper meal out of the bits left over from Christmas dinner.
Thanks so much for reading and I hope you have an amazing Christmas! If you bake something from this post, please take a photo and tag me on Instagram. I love seeing what you make.
Becky xxx
More bakes from my gluten-free Christmas cookbook
If you’ve still got room in your Christmas baking plans, here’s a peek inside my Gluten-free Christmas cookbook. There are recipes for a melted snowman Christmas cake, cranberry pistachio biscotti and a show-stopping gingerbread house, as well as puddings for the big day.
There’s plenty for the rest of Christmas too, including the big dinner, party food and ideas for leftovers. You can take a look inside my Christmas cookbook or get a copy on Amazon.
Gluten-free Christmas baking FAQs
Which gluten-free Christmas bakes can I make ahead?
My gluten-free Christmas cake is a good one to bake early so the flavours have time to develop. For a dessert to serve chilled, bake my blueberry cheesecake the day before and add the cooled blueberry topping once the cheesecake has chilled.
Can I freeze gluten-free mince pies?
Yes. Once my gluten-free mince pies have cooled completely, you can freeze them in an airtight container for up to three months. Freeze them in small batches if you only want to defrost a few at a time. Warm the defrosted pies briefly in the oven if you like them warm.
Which flour should I use for gluten-free Christmas baking?
I use FREEE by Doves Farm flour in all of my recipes, which you can easily find in UK supermarkets. I use gluten-free plain flour and gluten-free self-raising flour regularly in all my Christmas baking.
Can I make gluten-free Christmas bakes dairy-free?
Yes. My chocolate crinkle cookies are dairy-free as written, my mince pies and chocolate yule log have dairy-free options, as do many more. Check each recipe’s FAQ section for the dairy-free swaps I use in pastry, sponge, icing and decorations.
What gluten-free Christmas baking can I make with kids?
My cut-out Christmas biscuits and gingerbread men in Christmas jumpers are both fun to decorate. Once the biscuits have cooled, set out a few colours of icing and let everyone design their own! For a bigger project, my mini gingerbread houses come with a template for the individual pieces.
What savoury gluten-free bakes can I make for a Christmas buffet?
My pizza pinwheels and sausage rolls are easy to pick up and eat using shop-bought gluten-free puff pastry. For something to bring out whole, try my doughball wreath with baked Camembert or the pesto and mozzarella puff pastry tree and let everyone pull off a piece.
