5 of Schär’s Gift-Worthy Gluten-Free Recipes for the Holidays

Whether you’re looking for the perfect host gift or a stocking stuffer with a personal touch, nothing is better than homemade. The holidays provide plenty of excuses to exercise your baking skills or try out a new recipe and, with Schär by your side, it’s easier than ever to make your creations gluten-free.

These recipes are easy to prepare and ideal for gifting—just pack them into a decorative cookie tin and place a bow on top. Don’t forget to stock your own pantry with Schär’s gluten-free holiday favorites like Panettone and Speculoos!

1. Spiced Bourbon Balls

Makes: 2 dozen

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups crushed Schär Holiday Speculoos cookies
• 1 cup almond meal
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
• ¼ cup bourbon
• 12 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 2 teaspoons butter

Instructions:

1. Place the Holiday Speculoos in a food processor and pulse into fine crumbs.
2. Add the almond meal and powdered sugar then pulse a few times to combine.
3. Drizzle in the corn syrup and bourbon then blend on low speed until the ingredients are moistened and just combined.
4. Shape the mixture into 1-inch balls, rolling them by hand.
5. Arrange the bourbon balls on a parchment-lined tray, cover, and chill for 1 hour.
6. Set a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water.
7. Add the chocolate and butter to the bowl and heat until the chocolate is melted, stirring constantly.
8. Remove from heat and let the chocolate cool for a few minutes.
9. Spoon the chocolate mixture into a piping bag then drizzle over the bourbon balls.
10. Return the bourbon balls to the fridge until the chocolate sets.

2. Fruitcake Cookies

Makes: 4 dozen

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 2/3 cup Schär Mix It! Universal all-purpose gluten-free flour blend
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ cups pitted dates, finely chopped
• ½ cup candied cherries, chopped
• ½ cup candied pineapple, diced
• 1 ½ cups mixed chopped nuts

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract then scrape down the sides of the bowl.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the Schär Mix It! Universal, baking soda, and salt.
5. With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients a little at a time.
6. Stir in the remaining ingredients by hand until everything is just combined.
7. Drop the dough in rounded tablespoons onto a greased baking sheet, spacing the cookies 2 inches apart.
8. Bake for 13 to 15 minutes until the edges are just browned.
9. Cool the cookies completely then store in an airtight container.

3. Christmas Tree Brownies

Makes: 1 ½ dozen

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
• 2 ¼ cups granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup Schär Mix It! Universal all-purpose gluten-free flour blend
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tub vanilla or cream cheese frosting

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F and lightly grease a 9x13-inch metal baking pan.
2. Line the pan with two pieces of parchment long enough to overhang the sides all the way around.
3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder, sugar, and Schär Mix It! Universal.
4. In another bowl, whisk together the butter, eggs, vanilla, and salt until smooth and well combined.
5. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry until just combined.
6. Pour the batter into the baking dish and spread evenly.
7. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
8. Let the brownies cool completely then use the parchment to lift them out of the pan.
9. Cut the brownies into three rows along the horizontal then cut each row into six triangles.
10. Arrange the brownies on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
11. Divide the frosting between two small bowls.
12. Stir green food coloring into one bowl and red into the other, then transfer bowl to piping bags.
13. Pipe strands of red and green frosting onto the brownies and decorate with sprinkles.

4. Peppermint Graham Cracker Toffee

Makes: 1 pan

Ingredients:

• 10-12 Schär Honeygrams
• 1 cup unsalted butter, chopped
• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 cups white chocolate chips
• 1/3 cup crushed peppermint candies

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9x13-inch baking pan with aluminum foil.
2. Line the bottom of the pan with Honeygrams in a single layer and set aside.
3. Combine the butter, brown sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
4. Stir constantly until the butter melts then bring to a boil.
5. Cook at a medium boil, stirring constantly, until thickened to the consistency of caramel—about 4-5 minutes.
6. Pour the mixture over the Honeygrams, tilting the pan to spread it evenly.
7. Bake for 6-8 minutes until the edges start to bubble.
8. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with white chocolate chips.
9. Return the pan to the oven for another minute or two until the white chocolate chips have softened.
10. Gently spread the melted chocolate into an even layer and sprinkle with crushed peppermint candy.
11. Let the toffee cool for 2-3 hours until set then break into pieces.

5. Cranberry Eggnog Ladyfinger Pie

Makes: 1 pie

Ingredients:

• 1 package Schär Ladyfingers
• 1 pint cranberry sorbet, softened
• 3 cups prepared eggnog
• 1 cup evaporated milk
• ½ cup sour cream
• 2 (3.4-ounce) packages instant vanilla pudding mix
• Crumbled Schär Snickerdoodle soft-baked cookies

Instructions:

1. Line the inside edge of a 9-inch springform pan with whole, upright ladyfingers.
2. Use more ladyfingers to line the bottom, covering it as completely as possible.
3. Spoon in the sorbet and spread evenly then cover and freeze for 30 minutes.
4. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the eggnog, evaporated milk, sour cream, and pudding mix.
5. Beat for about 2 minutes until thick then spoon into the springform pan.
6. Cover and freeze overnight, or at least 8 hours.
7. Thaw for 5-10 minutes before serving and garnish with crumbled Schär Snickerdoodles.

Whether you’re looking for a holiday gift that has a homemade touch or simply need an excuse to bring out your bakeware, these holiday-themed recipes are just what you need. They’re perfect for gifting and would be at home on the buffet table at any holiday potluck.