Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Desserts

November 01, 2016
Photo: Jennifer Causey
Just because you can't eat wheat flour doesn't mean you can't eat Thanksgiving dessert. Pumpkin pie is the traditional Thanksgiving sweet, but we think all of these gluten-free desserts are just as great for Turkey Day. This collection includes classic fall desserts like Pumpkin Flan, as well as a few more adventurous options, such as Buttermilk-Beet Sherbet and gluten-free brownies. Whether you're cooking for an entirely family who's eating gluten-free or just one individual who will be joining your holiday feast, these gluten-free Thanksgiving dessert recipes can help you round out your meal.
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Macadamia-Almond Cake

Photo: Greg Dupree
View Recipe: Macadamia-Almond Cake

The texture of this cake is ethereal—it’s moist and airy, yet filled with rich flavor from the macadamia nuts and almond flour. Keep in mind, if you use our formula for homemade almond flour, you won’t have a gluten-free product. If you want a gluten-free option you can purchase store-bought almond flour—just check the label to make sure the only ingredient listed is almonds. Cool this cake thoroughly before slicing for the best results. This cake will keep for 2 to 3 days, but the sugary crust won’t last more than a day. If you want to substitute hazelnut flour, you can, with similarly spectacular results.

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Hibiscus Poached Pears

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Hibiscus Poached Pears

The rosy hue of the hibiscus syrup is a holiday showstopper. Drizzle over spiced poached pears for a dessert that's a bit lighter, gluten-free, and still feels holiday-special. The key to beautifully poached pears is to cook them in just enough liquid to submerge the fruit—any more and the flavor from the spices may be lost. A parchment paper topper and a plate will keep liquid from evaporating too quickly. Reduce additional poaching liquid and reserve as the base for holiday cocktails, the sweet component of a salad dressing, or a drizzle for your cheese board.

For a vegan version, leave out the 1/2 cup of crème fraîche.

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Buttermilk-Beet Sherbet with Hazelnut Brittle

Photo: Romulo Yanes
View Recipe: Buttermilk-Beet Sherbet with Hazelnut Brittle

If carrots can go into cake, there's no reason beets can't make their way into ice cream. It's a stunning dessert—absurdly delicious with a gorgeous magenta huge.

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Milk Chocolate Crème Brûlée

Photo: Ryan Liebe
View Recipe: Milk Chocolate Crème Brûlée

A splash of nutty amaretto adds an extra layer of elegance to the milk chocolate in this decadently creamy dessert. If you don't own a kitchen blowtorch, simply sprinkle the chilled ramekins evenly with sugar and place on a baking sheet; broil close to heat source for 1 to 3 minutes or until sugar is melted and caramelized.

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Pumpkin Frozen Yogurt

Sara Tane
View Recipe: Pumpkin Frozen Yogurt

Greek yogurt and cream cheese come together to create that same, luscious texture of your favorite store-bought frozen yogurt. With a seasonal pumpkin flare, this low calorie dessert is just the treat that you'll want to cozy up to on a crisp fall night. Top with nuts, cinnamon, and dark chocolate for an extra kick that blends beautifully with the flavors of pumpkin spice. If you are not planning on serving immediately, keep it in the fridge and then throw it in the freezer 1 to 2 hours before you are ready to serve it.

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Hasselback Apples

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Hasselback Apples

Simple and easy to make ahead—this twist on the apple crumble is unbelievably good. With cinnamon-sugar butter between the layers, a crispy streusel sprinkle, and a dollop of ice cream on top, there’s no doubt this will be a hit. For a gluten-free version, omit the flour and substitute with certified gluten-free oats.

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Pecan-Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

Photo Courtesy of Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Pecan-Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

The distinctive flavor of pumpkin pie spice folded into a creamy cheesecake and baked into chewy brown-sugar bars makes for an extra-special autumnal treat. Using a combination of 1/3-less-fat and fat-free cream cheese helps keep the total fat low but still adds richness to these bars. Don't be tempted to use all fat-free cream cheese; the texture won't be nearly as luscious.  

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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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Fall Butters

View Recipe: Essential Fall Butters

Pear, apple, pumpkin - oh my! All the fall flavors you love are now in spreadable form. They might be called butters, but in fact there isn't any butter at all. We cook down the fruit low and slow with warm spices, zesty citrus, and sweet cider to make the perfect fall accompaniment to any dish. We recommend smearing them on toast topped with crushed nuts, spooned over yogurt or oatmeal, or enjoyed straight from the jar. You can even pair the apple or pear butter alongside pork chops for an upgrade on the familiar pork and applesauce combo. The possibilities are endless, and these jars can last in your fridge almost all season long.

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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. If you already have leftover sweet potatoes that have been simply prepared and minimally seasoned, our Sweet Potato Buttered Rum Flan will do the trick too.

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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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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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Pumpkin Pie Pudding

Photo: Jonny Valiant
View Recipe: Pumpkin Pie Pudding

We took the best part of the classic fall pie and stuck it in a glass for a perfectly-portioned treat. Top with a dollop of whipped cream and chopped walnuts.

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Carrot Cake

Photo: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Carrot Cake

This deliciously moist cake is chock-full of carrots, nuts, and raisins.

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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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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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Apple, Pear, and Cranberry Crisp

Photo Courtesy of Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Apple, Pear, and Cranberry Crisp

The tart and tangy cranberries complement the sweet apples and pears in this warm, streusel-topped delight. Try serving it à la mode as the grand finale of a holiday dinner.

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Maple-Gingerbread Pots de Crème

Photo: Levi Brown
View Recipe: Maple-Gingerbread Pots de Crème

The crackly counterpoint to the silky custards occurs when you sprinkle a thin layer of sugar on top and broil to melt. The caramel hardens as it cools.

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Walnut-Stuffed Apples

Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Walnut-Stuffed Apples

Nothing says "autumn" like the fragrance and flavor of cooked apples, especially when they're filled with a mixture of sweetened currants and walnuts and spiced with cinnamon.  Serve these apples warm from the crockpot with low-fat frozen yogurt.

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Spiced Caramel Cider

Photo: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Spiced Caramel Cider

If you'd rather snuggle up to a cozy fireplace and hand out candy, rather than collect it, then you'll want to curl up with this warm, flavorful, and savory cider. If you'd prefer a beverage with less spice, try substituting apple juice for the apple cider. It's fantastic either way.

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Super-Fudgy Teff Brownies

Photo: Iain Bagwell
Super-Fudgy Teff Brownies

These rich treats are such a game-changer that you may never go back to traditional brownies again. Why would you, when they deliver exactly what you're looking for: dense texture, incredibly fudgy interior, amazing sugar crust on top. It’s that superfine teff flour that makes the magic happen; it becomes slightly gelatinous when cooked—which makes for a moist and fudgy brownie. These decadent sweets are 100% whole grain, no refined flour in sight. Did we mention that they’re gluten free, too?

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The Quickest Holiday Dessert

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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Easy Chocolate-Bourbon Fondue

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Easy Chocolate-Bourbon Fondue

Put the Sterno and matches aside, and use this flameless method to make fondue. Unlike a thin fondue pot, a slow cooker has a thick ceramic liner (plus, in this recipe, a glass container) that keeps the chocolate from scorching.

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