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Gluten-Free Christmas Treats

Updated: December 02, 2016
Holiday food swaps are part of the seasonal merriment, but if you have to avoid certain foods, you may feel dismayed when you have to take home treats you can't to eat. If you're preparing for a Christmas party, you don't have to leave out those who follow a gluten-free diet. Easy to make and easy to share, this collection of brittle, bark, and cookie recipes make great gifts, so whip up these incredible desserts to share with friends, neighbors, and co-workers. They're so good you'll be tempted to save them all for yourself. For more shareable desserts, see our Gluten-Free Christmas Cookies.
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Chocolate-Caramel Bark with Quinoa

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Chocolate-Caramel Bark with Quinoa

This season, there's no need to stress or spend hours in the kitchen. Serve this simple sweet treat at your next party or wrap it up beautifully for your friends. The first ingredient in this dark chocolate bark (psst, it’s quinoa) gives this treat loads of crunch. It’s a whole grain, which definitely makes this sweet even sweeter.

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Popcorn-Bacon Chocolate Bark

Photo: Teresa Sabga
View Recipe: Popcorn-Bacon Chocolate Bark

Bacon. Popcorn. Chocolate. That's right! This salty-sweet combination is so delicious it should be illegal. Forget stringing popcorn around your tree—this delectable treat is where it's at.

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Almond Brittle

Photo: Romulo Yanes
View Recipe: Almond Brittle

Substitute pecans, walnuts, peanuts, or pine nuts for almonds, if you prefer.

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Cranberry-Almond Bark

Photo Courtesy of Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Cranberry-Almond Bark

This addictive chocolate confection is a spectacular way to blend cranberries and almonds. You can also vary the recipe with other dried fruits, such as raisins, apricots, figs, or cherries. Wrap in clear plastic and tie with a dark green ribbon for a lovely holiday gift.

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Thai Cashew Brittle

Photo: Romulo Yanes
View Recipe: Thai Cashew Brittle

Sharp shards of crisp Thai Cashew Brittle combine salty cashews and hot chile paste.

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Cranberry-Pistachio Chocolate Bark

Photo: Teresa Sabga
View Recipe: Cranberry-Pistachio Chocolate Bark

The best way to spread Christmas cheer is making bark for all to share. This festive snack lends satisfying texture in every bite. Studded with ruby-red cranberries and flecks of pistachios, it's a gorgeous addition to any cookie tray or gift box, fitting beautifully in a rustic cookie tin.

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Coconut Macaroons With Bittersweet Chocolate and Pistachios

Photo Courtesy of Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Coconut Macaroons With Bittersweet Chocolate and Pistachios

Sweet and chewy coconut macaroons have always been an easy favorite for anyone following a gluten-free diet. We jazzed up these naturally gluten-free beauties by dipping them in bittersweet chocolate and studding them with salty pistachios.

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Orange-Hazelnut Chocolate Bark

Photo: Teresa Sabga
View Recipe: Orange-Hazelnut Chocolate Bark

Talk about a match made in heaven! Add some sunshine to gloomy winter days by savoring citrus zest that complements the bold and decadent dark chocolate base of this bark. A roasted hazelnut topping is just the cherry on top. There’s no doubt that this dessert will be a holiday showstopper.

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Chocolate-Walnut-Graham Cracker Bars

Photo Courtesy of Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Chocolate-Walnut-Graham Cracker Bars

These tasty treats are more like a candy bar than a cookie. Served with hot chocolate, they're a children's sticky-finger favorite!

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Chocolate Hazelnut Bark

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Chocolate Hazelnut Bark

Dried cherries and crystallized ginger add a depth of flavor to this simple, four-ingredient chocolate bark. This recipe will satisfy your sweet tooth in a delicious way.

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Coconut-Cardamom Macaroons

Photo: Marcus Nilsson
View Recipe: Coconut-Cardamom Macaroons

When the holidays are upon us, planning ahead is key. You can make this Christmas treat up to a week in advance. Just store at room temperature in an airtight container.

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