10 best gluten-free
Christmas desserts
around the world

Gluten-free baking is a little different from traditional baking. Follow our handy tips to help you get off on the right track.

Keep your cooking area gluten-safe

Before you begin, make sure all the surfaces and equipment you’re using are completely clean and free of gluten. Never use utensils used to prepare gluten-containing foods for gluten-free baking without thoroughly washing them first. Take special care to check your rolling pin and oven to ensure they’re free of gluten dough residues.

Use the right ingredients

Different gluten-free baking mixes contain different blends of flours and as a result each behaves slightly differently. For this reason, it’s a good idea to use the specific mix recommended in your recipe – that way you know it will work. Many of the recipes for Christmas sweet treats selected here are designed for Schär’s Mix Pâtisserie, a high-quality blend that allows you to bake any kind of cake or biscuit to professional standard. And, it goes without saying, also make sure every other ingredient you use – not just the flour – is gluten free too.

Use a scale

Non-gluten flours are finer than wheat flour, making it difficult to pack them into a measuring cup consistently each time. For best results, weigh out your flour on a set of kitchen scales.

Give it a rest

Batters and doughs made from gluten-free flours often have a sandy texture. But you can easily solve this by allowing your mix to rest – just 30 minutes can make all the difference. Many of the recipes below include a resting period, allowing the flour to fully absorb the liquid and create a smoother mix.

Trust your cooking times

You can’t test gluten-free baked goods for doneness using the same methods used for wheat bakes, such as sticking a knife in to see if it comes out clean or checking for brownness (gluten-free cookies are whiter than traditional cookies). Instead, you just have to trust your recipe and bake at the precise temperature and for the exact length of time specified.

American Christmas gluten-free spiced rolls

These traditional American Christmas desserts are full of festive gingerbread flavours – ginger, cinnamon, cloves, almonds and chocolate – all wrapped up in moist little cakes. On the table in just 20 minutes, they couldn’t be easier to make – simply mix everything together, bake, then top with chocolate icing. Xmas luxury doesn’t come much speedier than this.

German-style gluten-free Christmas biscuits

Known as Spitzbuben or ‘little rascals’, these southern-German-style buttery cookies are guaranteed to please sweet-toothed scamps of all sizes. Our versions are made with strawberry jam but you can use any flavour you like – try chocolate spread for extra indulgence. One of the tastiest traditional German Christmas desserts.

Orange-flavoured biscuits

The zesty orange aroma of these traditional Christmas biscuits is sure to bring some seasonal cheer to any room they’re served in. Add a hot cup of something and a roaring fire for the cosiest of festive treats.

Traditional Italian panettone

A classic Italian panettone is a Christmas essential wherever you’re spending the holidays and there’s no reason for those on non-wheat diets to miss out. This gluten-free panettone is sweet, fluffy, citrussy and vanilla-y, with a boozy boost from the rum-steeped raisins and candied fruit.

Parozzo chocolate cake without gluten

For further Italian flavour, try this festive chocolate cake. First made by a local baker in the Abruzzo region in 1920 it has gone on to become one of the most popular Italian Christmas desserts. Featuring the rich taste of almond and vanilla, topped with dark chocolate, and (literally) a piece of cake to make, it’s not hard to understand why.

Chocolate almond gluten-free heart biscuits

Spread the love this Christmas by baking these delicious and delightful heart biscuits. Flavoured with almond, cinnamon and honey, our versions are glazed with chocolate and coloured sprinkles – but why not get creative and create your own decorations? With a custom design these pretty little cookies will also make a great gift for the gluten-free gourmand in your life.

Chräbeli gluten-free biscuits

Chräbeli are classic Swiss Christmas cookies that were first baked 400 years ago as a budget alternative to marzipan. Flavoured with aniseed and cherry brandy, these gluten-free versions are crunchy on the outside and deliciously moist on the inside – and so moreish you’ll want to keep a supply on hand throughout the holiday season.

Gluten-free Liebesgrübchen

These yummy German Christmas cookies are made from delicious little balls of dough, each sporting a tiny cavity filled with sweet redcurrant jelly. The name Liebesgrübchen endearingly translates as “love dimples”.

Dutch almond moppen biscuits

These crunchy Dutch Christmas cookies are delicious any time of year – serve them for breakfast, dessert or as a snack. Our gluten-free versions are flavoured with almonds, cinnamon and cloves and will keep for up to three weeks in an airtight container – so don’t be afraid to make more than you need.

Gluten-free Belgian caramel biscuits

These gluten-free caramel biscuits are a timeless Belgian Christmas dessert. Lightly spiced with cinnamon, they’re perfect paired with a cup of tea, coffee or hot chocolate. We cut ours into star shapes but why not try a few other festive designs?