Maybe it’s the smell of cinnamon drifting through the kitchen. Or maybe it’s simply knowing that the best Christmas treats are the ones made to be shared.
And when you’re celebrating gluten-free, there’s no reason to miss out on any of it.
From traditional Christmas cookies and gingerbread to fluffy Panettone and festive cakes, discover our favourite gluten-free Christmas recipes from around the world, plus a few simple baking tips to help every batch come out just right.
Whether you’re baking gluten-free for yourself, your family or a guest, a little preparation goes a long way. So before the flour starts flying, here are a few things worth knowing.
Start with clean surfaces, baking trays and equipment, and make sure utensils are thoroughly washed before using them for gluten-free baking. Pay particular attention to equipment where crumbs or dough can hide, such as rolling pins, mixers and ovens.
And remember: flour isn’t the only ingredient to check. Make sure everything going into your recipe is gluten-free.
Different combinations of ingredients can produce very different results, especially when you’re working with cakes, cookies and enriched doughs. For the best result, use the gluten-free flour or baking mix recommended by the recipe.
Does your gluten-free dough seem a little sandy or crumbly at first? Don’t panic.
Allowing doughs and batters to rest gives the flour time to absorb moisture properly, helping create a smoother texture. Follow the resting time in your recipe rather than rushing straight to the oven.
Gluten-free bakes don’t always give you the same visual clues as traditional ones. Biscuits, for example, may stay lighter in colour even when they’re ready.
Follow the temperature and baking time given in the recipe instead of waiting for your treats to look exactly like their wheat-based counterparts.
Now, apron on. Christmas is calling.
Every Christmas table has its traditions. Some involve fruit and spices, some involve chocolate, and quite a few involve a heroic amount of butter.
Here are some gluten-free Christmas favourites worth adding to your own celebrations.
Try our Gluten-Free Traditional Panettone for the classic version or give the festive favourite an extra-chocolatey twist with Gluten-Free Chocolate Panettone.
Prefer letting the machine do some of the work? There’s a Gluten-Free Panettone from the Bread Machine for that too.
Another Italian favourite, Pandoro is known for its tall star shape and soft, golden crumb.
Unlike its fruit-filled cousin Panettone, Pandoro keeps things deliciously simple. A generous dusting of icing sugar gives it its signature snowy finish.
Our Gluten-Free Pandoro di Natale brings the classic to the gluten-free Christmas table.
Gluten-free gingerbread cookies are perfect for decorating, gifting, hanging on the tree or eating while you’re supposedly decorating, gifting or hanging them on the tree.
Try Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cookies or make things extra festive with Gingerbread Christmas Cookies.
And if you’re feeling ambitious, build your own edible centrepiece with Gluten-Free Gingerbread House Biscuits.
Traditional jam-filled biscuits, sometimes known as Spitzbuben, combine buttery biscuit dough with a bright layer of jam. They’re simple, pretty and dangerously easy to reach for every time you pass the plate.
Our Gluten-Free German-Style Christmas Biscuits bring this festive tradition to the gluten-free cookie tin.
Tender, nutty and dusted generously with sugar, they’re exactly the kind of biscuit that disappears suspiciously quickly.
Try our Austrian-Style Gluten-Free Vanilla Cookies (Vanillekipferl) and consider making an extra batch.
With their distinctive anise flavour, Chräbeli bring something different to the Christmas cookie selection.
These traditional Swiss biscuits have been enjoyed for centuries and make a beautifully aromatic addition to a festive spread.
Discover our Gluten-Free Chräbeli Biscuits for a taste of Swiss Christmas baking.
These traditional Dutch-style biscuits are crisp, warmly spiced and made for the festive season. Better still, they keep well in an airtight container, which makes them a great recipe to prepare ahead of Christmas.
Try our Gluten-Free Dutch Almond Moppen Biscuits and keep a few ready for unexpected guests. Or expected midnight snacking.
Rich, fruity and packed with festive flavours, this is one dessert that rewards a little patience. Serve it as the grand finale to Christmas dinner for a properly traditional finish.
Try our Traditional British Gluten-Free Christmas Pudding and make sure everyone saves room.
For a simple festive activity everyone can join, bake a batch of Gluten-Free Christmas Cookies, bring out the icing and decorations, and let everyone create their own.
Whatever you choose to bake, the most important ingredient is making sure everyone gets to enjoy it.
So preheat the oven, put on your favourite Christmas playlist and pick a recipe.
There’s plenty of Christmas to go around. Gluten-free included.
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