CookingLight diet CookingLight diet

Gluten-Free Desserts

March 28, 2012
Photo: Oxmoor House
Indulge in these gluten-free goodies. Gluten-free baked products made with gluten-free flours don't contain preservatives, which means they are more perishable. The flours can become rancid and gluten-free baked goods dry out more quickly. Once opened, they should be stored in an airtight container in a dark, dry place. Refrigeration will prolong their shelf life, but bring them to room temperature before use. Once baked goods are cooled thoroughly, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, and place them in an airtight container or zip-top plastic freezer bag, removing as much air as possible. Store them in the freezer until ready to use.
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Easy Jasmine Rice Pudding

Greg DuPree
View Recipe: Easy Jasmine Rice Pudding

Treat yourself to a comforting bowl of warm, creamy rice pudding and enjoy a better night’s sleep. The goji berries sprinkled on top add fruity chew, while the pepitas offer nutty crunch and a tryptophan boost. Look for both at specialty grocery stores. If you can’t find them, sub tart cherries or pomegranates for the goji berries and walnuts for the pepitas; walnuts also contain tryptophan. A mild, less expensive honey works beautifully here; save the pricier, more robust honeys for a recipe where their flavor will be front and center.

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Pumpkin Flan

Photo Courtesy of Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Pumpkin Flan

Pumpkin lends a unique and mouthwatering spin to the classic custard layered dessert with a soft caramel top. This flan is convenient—it can be made in advance and kept refrigerated until ready to serve.

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Chocolate Mousse

Photo Courtesy of Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Chocolate Mousse
The addition of tofu adds soy protein to this delectable dessert, and the silken tofu blends smoothly, giving the mousse a luscious texture.
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Pistachio Brittle

Photo Courtesy of Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Pistachio Brittle
Using pistachios for your next homemade brittle adds a nice twist on an old classic. You can also vary the recipe using peanuts, cashews, pecans, or almonds in place of the pistachios. Wrap up the pieces in cellophane and tie with ribbons for a pleasant alternative to Christmas cookies.

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Marshmallows

Photo Courtesy of Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Marshmallows

Kids will love helping you make these fluffy confections, and adding cocoa and two types of chocolate chips just increases the excitement. Tote these marshmallows to a bonfire and enjoy roasting them under the stars.

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Whipped Cream Puffs

Photo: Courtesy of Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Whipped Cream Puffs

Potato starch and rice flour make a delightfully tender and flaky, yet chewy, puff pastry. Filled with dollops of creamy whipped filling and topped with powdered sugar, they are a wonderful treat for a shower or party.

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Struffoli

Photo Courtesy of Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Struffoli
Ah, struffoli! These little Neopolitan dough balls are fried quickly to give them a light, delicious cake inside and crunchy outside layer, and then covered in honey and powdered sugar. Serve with coffee and savor each little indulgent bite.

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Winn's Fig and Pecan Rugelach

Photo Courtesy of Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Winn's Fig and Pecan Rugelach

This is a gluten-free variation of the traditional Jewish pastry. Filled with fig preserves, pecans, and brown sugar, they are the perfect treat for a Hanukkah celebration.

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Toffee Bar Crunch Butterscotch Pudding

Photo Courtesy of Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Toffee Bar Crunch Butterscotch Pudding

The crumbled toffee candy on top gives the creamy butterscotch pudding a crunchy-sweet finish. This gluten-free dessert marries that signature nutty flavor with a sweet, caramel finish that is sure to have you coming back for seconds.

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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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Chocolate Chip Cannoli

Photo Courtesy of Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Chocolate Chip Cannoli

Cannoli on a gluten-free diet is practically unheard of. This version, made with gluten-free pizzelles, can be enjoyed by everyone. Add additional chocolate minichips on the ends for garnish, if you like.

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Tiramisu

Photo Courtesy of Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Tiramisu
Blending mascarpone cheese with fat-free cream cheese is the key to this divine tiramisu. The richness and flavor of the mascarpone cheese still shines through but with less saturated fat and fewer calories than traditional recipes. We used gluten-free ladyfingers so that everyone could enjoy this decadent dessert.
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Classic Vanilla Pudding

Photo: Courtesy of Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Classic Vanilla Pudding

For a quick and elegant dessert, serve the pudding topped with fresh berries, crumbled pistachio brittle, or chopped toffee candy and a pretty mint leaf. Substitute 4 teaspoons vanilla extract for the vanilla bean, if you like. Add it with the butter.

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Chewy Gooey Marshmallow Cookies with Minichips

Photo: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Chewy Gooey Marshmallow Cookies with Minichips

Toasting the pecans gives them a nuttier flavor. Whether you toast them in the oven or in a dry skillet, be sure to watch the pecans carefully—they can go from toasted to burned quickly. *Remember to check for gluten in chocolate chips.

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