37 Gluten-Free Desserts That Are Like Wheat, Who?
You might not even notice that these cookies, cakes, and sweet treats don't have wheat flour, they're that good. From moist, rich chocolate cake to buttery, snappy shortbread, these gluten-free dessert recipes will satisfy your sweet tooth, whether you're gluten-free or not. And if gluten-free baking isn’t your thing, there are plenty of no-bake desserts like frozen peanut butter cups, rice pudding, and ice cream sundaes to choose from.
Looking for savory gluten-free recipes? We’ve got you.
Photo by Alex Lau, Styling by Sue Li1/37Gluten-Free Chocolate-Tahini Brownies
A classic gluten-free brownie gets dressed up with a toasty, nutty swirl of tahini.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Shuai Wang, Prop Styling by Megan Forbes and Christina Hussey2/37
Miso-and-Maple-Pecan Butter Mochi Cake
This accidentally gluten-free dessert marries the best of Hawaiian butter mochi and Southern pecan pie.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Pearl Jones, prop styling by Marina Bevilacqua3/37
Yogurt-Berry Paletas
Fresh or frozen blueberries are the star in this easy recipe for sweet, tangy, summer-ready paletas.
- Photograph by Joe Lingeman, food styling by Shilpa Uskokovic, prop styling by Marina Bevilacqua4/37
Tahini Hot Fudge Skillet Cake
This gluten-free chocolate cake gets its chewy, fudgy, brownie-like texture from almond flour.
- Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott5/37
Caramelized-Honey Crème Brûlée
If you don’t have a kitchen torch, time to treat yourself. They’re inexpensive and fun to use—and you can’t make this luscious dessert without one.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Micah Morton, prop styling by JoJo Li6/37
Brown-Sugar-Braised Pineapple
Warmly spiced, syrupy pineapple and pools of melting coconut sorbet—what’s not to love? Use store-bought, pre-sectioned pineapple to make it even easier.
- Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Pearl Jones7/37
Hadji Bada (Iraqi Almond Cookies)
Almond flour, rose water, egg whites, and bit of spice combine to create these chewy, nutty, slightly floral sweets.
- Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Pearl Jones, prop styling by Stephanie Yeh8/37
Chocolate-Matcha Butter Mochi Cake
No food coloring needed—this dessert’s gorgeous green color comes from a couple spoonfuls of matcha in this cake recipe. A great option for a party, potluck, or picnic.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Emilie Fosnocht, prop styling by Sean Dooley9/37
Brown Butter–Chocolate Soufflé Fit for a Crowd
Poofy, airy soufflés get their lift from whipped egg whites—so be sure to serve this straight out of the oven to avoid any deflation.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Sean Dooley, Prop Styling by Marina Bevilacqua10/37
The Strawberriest Pavlova
With just five ingredients, this pavlova is a stunning way to show off peak-season fruits, like saucy, macerated strawberries.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Beth Pakradooni11/37
Almond-Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies
These vibrant, pink, giftable gluten-free cookies are crispy on the outside and chewy in the middle.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling ing by Pearl Jones12/37
A Giant Panna Cotta
Ditch the ramekins and tedious unmolding, and make this extra-jiggly, extra-large panna cotta instead.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Pierce Abernathy, prop styling by Olga Grigorenko13/37
Vegan Chocolate Mousse With Sesame Brittle
This airy mousse gets its lift from aquafaba, a stellar vegan substitute for whipped egg whites.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Beth Pakradooni14/37
Flourless Chocolate Meringue Cake
This flourless cake with a crackly-crisp topping also happens to be dairy-free. Keep this in your back pocket for a showstopping Passover dessert.
- Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Elizabeth Jaime15/37
Chocolate Ganache Tart
This tart has a press-in nut crust that just so happens to be gluten-free—no kneading or rolling required.
- Photo by Emma Fishman, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Elizabeth Jaime16/37
Rum-Soaked Fruit and Coconut Crisp Sundaes
Fresh berries macerated in booze make for a syrupy, heady topping spooned over ice cream.
- Photographs by Jenny Huang, food styling by Sue Li, prop styling by Sophie Strangio17/37
Chocolate Buckwheat Cake
Earthy buckwheat flour shines in this light, airy, gluten-free chocolate cake. Top with a dollop of whipped cream.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata. Food Styling by Kat Boytsova. Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca18/37
Salted Coconut Ladoos
Make these adorable, giftable ladoos for just about any occasion, from Diwali to Valentine’s Day.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Sean Dooley, Prop Styling by Marina Bevilacqua19/37
Mango Mess
Once you learn how to master whipped egg whites (hint: don’t skip the cream of tartar), this laid-back version of a pavlova will be your go-to dessert.
- Photograph by Scott Semler, Food Styling by Judy Kim, Prop Styling by Stephanie Yeh20/37
Raspberry-Cardamom Yogurt Semifreddo
Instead of using eggs for a fluffy texture, this semifreddo recipe uses tangy yogurt or labneh as its base.
- Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou21/37
Heartbeet Chocolate Cake
Earthy-sweet beet purée gives this gluten-free chocolate cake a beautiful red velvet hue.
- Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Chris Morocco, prop styling by Emily Eisen22/37
Gluten-Free Carrot Cake
Almond flour is a wonderfully sweet, nutty complement for fresh carrots, walnuts, and raisins.
- Photograph by David Cabrera, Prop Styling by Adriana Bonin, Food Styling by Adriana Paschen23/37
The Creamiest Vanilla Bean Flan
Rich caramel and creamy custard—this classic dessert is baked in a loaf pan to make it easier to flip onto a plate to serve.
- Photo by Chelsie Craig, Food Styling by Rhoda Boone24/37
Fudgy Flourless Chocolate Cake
This (yes, gluten-free) flourless chocolate cake is decadent, rich, and super-easy to make.
- Alex Lau25/37
Carolina Rice Pudding with Mixed Citrus
Treat this spoonable dessert as a vehicle for piles of your favorite peak-season fruit, like nectarines or peaches.
- Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Emily Eisen26/37
Ricotta Panna Cotta with Nectarines and Honey
You can use whatever seasonal fruit you have on-hand to top this rice pudding—stone fruit in the summer and citrus in the winter are both delicious.
- Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio27/37
Chocolate Date-Caramel Cups
Assembling these dessert cups in muffin tin liners (just the liners, no pan needed) speeds up the process and ensures the sticky date caramel doesn’t get out of hand.
- Alex Lau28/37
BA’s Best Chocolate Macaroon Cake
Behold: a cake version of the chocolate covered coconut macaroons that are a beloved Passover staple.
- Eva Kolenko29/37
Dark-Chocolate Mousse
You know what never, ever goes out of style? Chocolate mousse. Especially dark chocolate mousse.
- Peter Frank Edwards30/37
Spiced Honey Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Oh, wait: Did we mention the prettiest cake in the display case also happens to be gluten-free? The cream cheese frosting doesn’t hurt either.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou31/37
Gluten-Free Apple and Oat Muffins
Spiced with just enough cinnamon and sweetened with maple syrup, these gluten-free muffins are an A++ breakfast treat for fall and winter.
- Alex Lau32/37
Jam-Filled Almond Cupcakes
A simple buttercream, tender crumb, and sweet-tart jam filling make these cupcakes fit for just about any celebration.
- 33/37
Chocolate Brownie Cookies
If a fudgy brownie and chewy chocolate chip cookie had a baby, it would be this decadent, easy gluten-free creation.
- Alex Lau34/37
Gluten-Free Chocolate Cream Pie
Gluten-free gingersnaps add an unexpected zing and are a great foil to the richness of this chocolaty pie. Sub in gluten-free graham crackers if you prefer.
- Alex Lau35/37
Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
This is our best gluten-free chocolate chip cookie recipe: just as crisp and chewy as the wheat flour ones. Coconut flakes add an extra hint of sweetness.
- Alex Lau36/37
Gluten-Free Vanilla Birthday Cake
This versatile cake, with an intense vanilla flavor, is a crowd-pleaser. Use it as a go-to for any festive occasion.
- © Peden and Munk LLC37/37
Rose Water Shortbread Cookies
Rice flour in place of wheat flour makes for especially crisp, snappy, delicious gluten-free shortbread.