Hey there! With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I know a lot of folks are starting to think about what kinds of tasty treats they want to make for the big feast. And if you or someone in your family needs to eat gluten free, you may be wondering how you can still have delicious gluten free Thanksgiving desserts that everyone can enjoy. Not to worry, I’ve got you covered with lots of amazing gluten free Thanksgiving dessert ideas.
From pies and cheesecakes to cookies and brownies, you’d be surprised by how many phenomenal gluten free dessert recipes are out there. And many of them are super easy to make too. So let’s dig in and talk about some of my personal faves, shall we? I promise these will impress your guests and leave them wanting seconds!
Pumpkin Pie – The Classic Thanksgiving Dessert
Ok, let’s start with the classic Thanksgiving dessert – pumpkin pie. This staple treat is pretty much expected to be on the menu. But did you know you can totally make gluten free pumpkin pie that tastes just as amazing as the wheat version? It’s true! With the right recipe, you can whip up a pie with a flakey, melt-in-your-mouth crust and smooth pumpkin filling that no one will guess is actually gluten free.
The secret is using a crust made with rice flour, tapioca flour, and xanthan gum instead of regular flour. It bakes up perfectly crispy on the outside and almost custardy on the inside. And the filling is easy – just pureed pumpkin, eggs, cream or milk, sugar, and your favorite spices like cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. Pop it in the oven until it’s set and slightly jiggly in the center and you’ve got the perfect gluten free pumpkin pie!
Top it with some freshly whipped cream or a dollop of vanilla ice cream for a little something extra. This pie will definitely be the star of your Thanksgiving dessert table.
Gluten Free Apple or Pecan Pie
If pumpkin isn’t your favorite, no worries! You can also make heavenly gluten free apple or pecan pie for Thanksgiving. Again, it starts with a flaky, gluten free pie crust. Then you fill it with sliced apples tossed in sugar and cinnamon. Or go the pecan route with chopped pecans swimming in a sweet gooey filling.
These pies taste like you slaved over them all day, but they come together pretty easily. And your guests will be raving over the crispy crust and fruity or nutty filling. Serve them warm with ice cream melting over the top for some serious yum factor!
Gluten Free Cheesecake – Light and Decadent
Ok, so you’re stuffed from the big Turkey day feast. But how can you pass up dessert? Opt for a nice light gluten free cheesecake to end your meal on a sweet note, without being too heavy.
A classic New York style cheesecake made without gluten is a great choice. The smooth, creamy texture and slight tang pairs perfectly with the crunchy graham cracker crust. Use cream cheese, sour cream, eggs, vanilla, and sugar for the filling. And bind the crust with butter, sugar and gluten free graham crackers or cookies.
Swirl in some lemon curd, chocolate, caramel or pumpkin for extra flavor. Top with whipped cream and fresh berries for a pretty presentation. This cheesecake will be long gone before you finish saving room for it!
Gluten Free Chocolate Lava Cakes – Ooey Gooey Goodness
If you’re a chocolate lover like me, these amazing gluten free chocolate lava cakes are about to rock your world. They have a dark, dense chocolate cake exterior that hides an ooey, gooey molten chocolate center.
Make them by mixing together butter, dark chocolate, eggs, sugar, and gluten free flour like almond or brown rice flour. Bake these little cakes for just about 10 minutes – just until the center looks barely set. When you dig your spoon in, watch that warm chocolate filling come spilling out for an over-the-top indulgent treat.
Top with powdered sugar, raspberries, or a scoop of ice cream for extra decadence. Be prepared – these don’t last long on the dessert table!
Gluten Free Cookies and Bars – Bite-Sized Sweets
If you’re looking for gluten free thanksgiving desserts that are easily portable, cookies and bars are where it’s at. You can make a tray of assorted gluten free cookies like chocolate chip, peanut butter, oatmeal raisin, snickerdoodle – you name it!
Use your favorite cookie recipe and simply swap the flour for a gluten free blend. You can also make yummy gluten free chocolate brownies, blondies, lemon bars, pumpkin bars, etc. Cut them into bite-sized pieces and everyone can grab their fave.
These are great if you’re having a more casual Friendsgiving celebration. Plus you can send folks home with leftovers to munch on later!
Gluten Free Cupcakes and Muffins – Fun and Festive
How cute are cupcakes and muffins, am I right? These little gluten free cakes and quick breads are simple to throw together from scratch. And they let you get creative with festive liners, sprinkles, and decorations galore.
Whip up a batch of vanilla, chocolate, or pumpkin cupcakes made with gluten free flour. Top them with buttercream or cream cheese frosting and Thanksgiving-themed decor. Turkey, pilgrim, and autumn leaf designs are perfect for the occasion.
You can also make wholesome gluten free muffins with fall flavors like apple cinnamon, pumpkin spice, or maple pecan. They’re great to enjoy with coffee or tea post-feast. I always make extra because people can’t resist their amazing aroma straight from the oven.
Gluten Free Pie Crust Desserts – Show Stopping
If you really want to impress your guests, try using your gluten free pie dough for some stunning gluten free thanksgiving desserts beyond pie. Think tarts with fresh fruit, galettes with artful folded crusts, or even pie crust cookies with fun fall shapes.
You can fill your pie crust with vanilla pudding and fresh bananas or strawberries and cream. Or go savory with chicken or turkey pot pie filling topped with a lattice crust. The options are endless for turning pie dough into a show stopping dessert everyone will remember.
Having both wheat and gluten free options ensures all your loved ones can partake in the deliciousness. Because nobody should miss out on dessert on Thanksgiving!
Gluten Free Brown Butter Pecan Ice Cream – Luxuriously Creamy
After all that feasting, you’re probably feeling pretty full. But don’t say no to ice cream, friends! A small scoop of this luscious gluten free brown butter pecan ice cream will transport you to food heaven.
It starts by browning butter to an almost caramel-like nutty perfection. Fold in fresh whipped cream and toasted pecans along with a pinch of salt to offset the sweetness. Churn in your ice cream maker or still freeze in your freezer overnight.
The result is a smooth, ultra creamy ice cream with rich brown butter flavor and crunchy pecan pieces throughout. You’ll swear it’s gourmet. Garnish with more toasted pecans and a drizzle of salted caramel sauce if you’re fancy. It’s heavenly!
Gluten Free Crème Brûlée – Elegant and Luxe
If you want to impress everyone with your culinary skills, gluten free crème brûlée is sure to do the trick. This elegant custard dessert has a light vanilla base topped with a crispy layer of burnt caramel. Yum!
To make it, heat cream, sugar, and vanilla to infuse the flavors. Then mix with egg yolks and pour into shallow ramekins. Bake in a water bath until just set but still jiggly in the center. Chill thoroughly before topping with brown sugar and using a kitchen torch or broiler to caramelize it.
Every bite is a sophisticated combination of silky creaminess and sweet crunch. Your guests will definitely be wowed. You may have just found your new signature Thanksgiving dessert!
Gluten Free Tiramisu – Coffee Lovers’ Favorite
Calling all coffee lovers! This spectacular gluten free tiramisu is a must for Thanksgiving. It’s made by soaking ladyfingers in a mixture of coffee and liqueur, then layering them with a light, fluffy mascarpone cream. A dusting of cocoa powder finishes it off.
The boozy coffee-soaked ladyfingers contrast so perfectly with the sweet mascarpone. And it’s naturally gluten free! Just look for ladyfingers made without wheat flour, or use sliced gluten free pound cake instead.
Everyone will love the pillowy soft texture and rich espresso and chocolate flavors in every bite. This tiramisu almost tastes too good to share. But it’s perfect for entertaining!
Festive Gluten Free Fruit Pizza – Colorful and Fun
If you want a show stopping gluten free dessert that’s as beautiful as it is tasty, try making a colorful fruit pizza! Start with a sugar cookie crust made using your favorite gluten free flour blend.
Then top with a luscious, tangy cream cheese frosting or ricotta whipped cream. Arrange fresh fruit like kiwi, strawberries, blueberries, mandarin oranges, and pomegranate arils on top in fun patterns. It looks like a piece of art!
Your guests will be thrilled to dig into this fun, fruity creation. It feels fancy but it so easy to make. The sweet cookie paired with the fresh fruit is irresistible. This will definitely be a Thanksgiving dessert that everyone photographs before devouring.
Gluten Free Carrot Cake – Sweet and Wholesome
Carrot cake is a classic fall dessert made even better when it’s gluten free! This version is filled with grated carrots, pineapple, raisins or walnuts, and warming spices like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.
The carrots make the cake extra moist and give it a sweet earthiness. Top it off with super creamy cream cheese frosting and no one will believe it’s actually gluten free. You can even make cute little pumpkin shaped carrot cakes for individual servings.
This cake tastes like cozy autumn perfection with its blend of flavors. It’s got just enough sweetness while still feeling wholesome. Your gluten free guests will be over the moon that they get to partake.
Gluten Free Pumpkin Roll – Impress the In-Laws
My mama always makes a fabulous pumpkin roll for Thanksgiving dessert. But since I can’t eat gluten, I recreated a gluten free version that’s just as delish. It’s basically a pumpkin spice cake rolled up with a rich cream cheese filling.
Bake a tender spiced cake flavored with pumpkin, then immediately roll it up in a towel to cool. Unroll and fill with sweetened cream cheese, then roll up again into a log shape. Dust with powdered sugar and voila!
This impressive looking dessert has your classic pumpkin pie flavors in cake form. It’s sure to impress in-laws and friends alike. Just save me a slice, okay? I promise it will be a hit!
Gluten Free Apple Crisp – Easy as Pie
When it comes to fuss-free fall gluten free thanksgiving desserts, you just can’t beat apple crisp! This homey gluten free treat is as easy as pie to whip up. Just toss sliced apples with spices like cinnamon and ginger before pouring a sweet gluten free oat topping over them.
Pop it in the oven until the apples are tender and the topping is golden brown and crispy. Serve warm with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream melting on top…are you drooling yet??
This cozy, nostalgic dessert practically screams Thanksgiving. The combination of tender apples and crunchy, buttery oat streusel is out of this world. Your gluten free guests will feel special that you took the time to make dessert inclusive.
Gluten Free Pumpkin Gingersnap Parfaits – Layers on Layers
Let’s end things on a high note with these show-stopping gluten free pumpkin gingersnap parfaits! They layer whipped cream, pumpkin pie filling, broken up gingersnaps, and other goodies for a delish dessert.
Use your favorite gluten free gingersnap cookies and crush them up to stir into the whipped cream. Then build it up in glasses with the pumpkin pie filling and more whipped cream. Top with grated chocolate, chopped nuts, caramel – whatever you like!
The combo of crunchy cookie crumbs, velvety pumpkin, and airy whipped cream is so fun to eat. These parfaits look fancy but come together in minutes. Make sure to snap some pics before digging in!
Time for Treats
Well there you have it, my gluten free friends! Over a dozen tempting Thanksgiving desserts that don’t sacrifice any deliciousness. Now it’s time to start planning which tasty treats you want to make this year. Just don’t blame me when you have to loosen your belt after all that feasting!
As you embark on your DIY Thanksgiving Wall Decor projects, creating crafts for a warm and cozy home, I hope you feel inspired to bake up a storm and show everyone that gluten-free Thanksgiving desserts totally measure up. These festive creations will not only adorn your home but also convince even the pickiest of eaters. Let me know if you end up trying any of these recipes—I’d love to hear how they turn out for you!
Now if you’ll excuse me, all this dessert talk has made me hungry. I need to go bake myself a little pre-Thanksgiving gluten free pumpkin pie. Hey, don’t judge – it’s never too early for pie! Enjoy and let your taste buds feel extra thankful this holiday season. Happy baking!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the best gluten free flour alternatives for baking desserts?
A: Some of the most commonly used gluten free flours for baking are almond flour, brown or white rice flour, coconut flour, and tapioca flour. Using a blend of flours helps mimic the properties of wheat flour. Xanthan or guar gum can also help bind gluten free desserts.
Q: Do I need to make adjustments to traditional dessert recipes to make them gluten free?
A: Minor adjustments may be needed, like adding more binding ingredients or moisture to account for gluten free flours that tend to be drier. But most traditional recipes work well with simple flour substitutions. Just look for recipes labeled gluten free to start.
Q: What ingredients commonly contain gluten that I should avoid?
A: Wheat, barley, rye and anything containing those like bread crumbs and pasta should be avoided. Check labels for ingredients like malt or wheat derivatives. Oats are often contaminated too so look for certified gluten free oats.
Q: Are dairy ingredients like milk, cream, and butter naturally gluten free?
A: Yes, plain dairy products like milk, cream, butter, and eggs are naturally gluten free. Just watch out for dairy products flavored with gluten ingredients like chocolate, cookies, or wheat. Always check labels to be safe.
Q: What steps can I take to prevent cross contamination when baking gluten free goods?
A: Use thoroughly cleaned countertops and bakeware, separate utensils and appliances if possible, wash hands before and after, use new unopened ingredients, and store gluten free baked goods separately from other items.
