22 Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Holiday Treats

holiday treats

It’s because I love you that I put this list together for you. It’s also my love for you that has me wanting to ensure you get through the holiday season indulging in the best kind of sweetness, the kind that will support your physical, mental and emotional health. And so here I have a list of my favourite gluten-free and dairy-free holiday treats, some from me, some from my bestest health-cheerleading, culinary-nutrition-rockstar experts, and recipe developers I greatly admire.

gluten-free and dairy-free holiday treats

Grain-Free Fruit Crumble

Gluten-Free-Fruit-Crumble

This recipe works with any seasonal fruit and has both grain-free and gluten-free options. This is always a HUGE winner and great for every occasion – you can even have this for a healthy breakfast.

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Baked Apple Gingerbread Cake

Apple Gingerbread Cake

This cake is rich in spicy holiday flavours – spices that also add a super healthy dose of immune power. This is the perfect weekend afternoon cake to be served with a hot cup of tea.

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Vegan + Paleo Chocolate Cream Pie

Chocolate cream pie

An ultra-luxurious chocolate pie recipe that has quickly become a reader favourite. You should see some of the swirls people have designed on the top – a beautiful yet simple dessert that will garner some ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ at the holiday table.

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Chocolate Turtles

Chocolate Turtle Recipe

I can’t get enough of these. For one, they are super simple to make and the caramel filling – made mostly with dates and a little almond butter – is actually mighty confusing. Confusing because it is so much like actual caramel. These are a must-try!

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Gluten-Free Cookies and Cream Layer Cake

holiday treats

One of the ugliest but most delicious desserts I have EVER made.

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Sticky Fig Pudding Cake

Sticky Fig Cake - Sticky Fig Pudding

A healthy re-make of a classic British/Aussie recipe that’s enjoyable for absolutely everyone. I highly recommend topping this with vanilla ice cream or coconut kefir.

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Dairy-Free Maple Cream Custard

Dairy-Free Maple Cream Custard

An incredibly fueling recipe filled with healthy fats – I had this one a lot when my son was a newborn. This freezes easily for a fantastic make-ahead dessert. Freeze in little Mason jars, defrost and then top with fruit, cinnamon, chocolate sauce or just serve them plain.

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Chocolate Chia Pudding

Chia Chocolate Pudding - Dairy-Free

This pudding recipe is not only delicious, but soothing for digestive health – and many of us need the digestive support during the holidays. Make it vegan by skipping the collagen protein!

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Caramel Fudge Chocolate Bars

Caramel Fudge Bar

A triple-layered chocolate bar covered in chocolate. Plus it’s grain-free and Paleo. What more could you want in your holiday treats?

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Anti-Inflammatory Ginger Cashew Cups

Anti-Inflammatory Ginger Cashew Cups

By Amanda Maguire via Academy of Culinary Nutrition

This is a very popular recipe on the Academy of Culinary Nutrition blog created by Culinary Nutrition Expert, Amanda Maguire – she has successfully made chocolate our favourite medicine of choice!

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Gluten-Free Orange Almond Cake

Best Gluten-Free Holiday Desserts

By Maya Henry via Academy of Culinary Nutrition

A gluten-free and grain-free cake recipe that originally began as a New Year’s dessert and went on to be a family tradition for many occasions that need dessert!

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Mini Gluten-Free Apple Galettes

Best Gluten-Free Holiday Treats

By Macy Diulus via Academy of Culinary Nutrition

These are basically little apple pies and they are super easy to make! Be sure to double or triple the recipe for a crowd because they will be snapped up quickly.

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Grain-Free Banana Bread

Grain-Free Banana Bread

By Martha Gerez via Academy of Culinary Nutrition

An ultra delicious recipe that was donated to my school’s charity e-cookbook. Eat dessert in honour of a great cause!

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Chocolate Almond Oat Bars

Chocolate Almond Oat Bars

By Lindsay Taylor via Academy of Culinary Nutrition

Lindsay developed these bars to support new moms in her recently released Food Doula Cookbook, but really, they are for everyone! Who doesn’t love almonds and chocolate?

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Gluten-Free Vegan Mamoul

by Arwa Al Turkait of Crumbs

This Culinary Nutrition Expert owns her own bakery, and I love seeing the gluten-free and dairy-free spins she adds to all her favourite recipes.

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Molasses Spice Cookies

molasses-spice-cookies-gluten-free-rowby Elana Amsterdam of Elana’s Pantry

I’ve been a huge fan of Elana’s grain-free, super simple recipes since I began doing this work. Her entrées are some of the best out there, and her desserts? These I LOVE!

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Paleo Apple Tart

Apple tart

by Nicole Charles of Heal Me, Delicious

See you later, pumpkin. Now who wouldn’t be impressed by seeing this arrive at the holiday table? It’s a holiday treats delight!

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Vegan Golden Milk Ice Cream

Best Holiday Treats

by Sondi Bruner

Sondi is the queen of vegan and dairy-free ice cream. Her recipes are always very thoughtful, keeping a great balance of culinary nutrition and flavour. This gently spiced turmeric ice cream is a perfect example!

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Black Bean Lava Cakes

Black Bean Lava Cake recipesby Davida Kugelmass of The Healthy Maven

If anyone were to ever believe that good-for-you, real-food desserts weren’t possible, that conversation would end right here with this decadent and absolutely beautiful creation by Davida. Her whole blog is pretty much rockstar awesome.

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Vanilla-Rooibos Fig NewtonsVanilla Rooibos Fig Newtons

By Sarah Britton of My New Roots

Remember Fig Newtons? These are the delicious, healthified version from Sarah B over at My New Roots. Not only are they an upgrade in taste, but these yummy treats are infused with rooibos tea, which makes a great conversation starter at holiday parties!

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Raw Hazelnut Chai Brownies

Raw Hazlenut Chai Brownies

By Green Kitchen Stories

Another tea-infused dessert? Yes, please! This time, we are talking the perfect marriage of chai and hazelnut from our friends over at Green Kitchen Stories.

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Vegan Salted Caramel Ice Cream

Paleo Vegan Ice Cream

By Jean Choi from What Great Grandma Ate

For the coconut lovers! Add some frostiness to your desserts as an extra special treat. Or better yet, make some extra cookies for Santa and whip up some ice cream sandwiches!

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Need some milk with that?

MILK IT GUIDE


If you have any more awesome gluten-free and dairy-free holiday treats, please share the links below!

holiday treats

11 Comments

  1. Seriously awesome round-up! Thanks for including me and for the sweet shout-out :) You’re the best Meghan!

  2. This is a great list! I love checking out new-to-me blogs and this list had a few!
    I have some really delicious but healthy cookie recipes that I’ll be bringing along to get-togethers over the holidays this year, but my special dessert for Christmas will be this raw and vegan white chocolate cheesecake slice: http://www.mynaturalkitchenblog.com/blog/2014/12/7raspberry-white-chocolate-swirl-cake-with-dark-chocolate-crust

  3. Meghan.what a comprehensive beautiful display of your photos and ideas . you are my guru.have stopped consuming sugar.your recipes are a treat by themselves.more success.you deserve all the best in your life and your work.peace.caroline

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