Gluten-Free Holiday Appetizers and Desserts

Updated June 24, 2014
Credit: Oxmoor House

From savory appetizers to decadent desserts, win over any crowd with these delightful gluten-free goodies that are perfect for any occasion.

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Coconut, Macadamia Nut, and Dark Chocolate Bark

Credit: Melina Hammer; Styling: Vanessa Rocchio

Coconut, Macadamia Nut, and Dark Chocolate Bark Recipe

Bittersweet chocolate morsels and creamy white chocolate morsels combine with crunchy dry roasted hazelnuts and toasted coconut for an incredibly easy and fast gluten-free candy the whole crowd will love.

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Chocolate Orange Cookie Cups

Credit: Alex Farnum

Chocolate Orange Cookie Cups Recipe

These flourless cookie bites from Sunset reader Jennifer Loganathan, of Colden, NY, are a delicious cross between a brownie and a soft cookie—the orange zest adds a bit of contrast.

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Almond Brittle

Credit: Romulo Yanes; Styling: Paige Hicks

Almond Brittle Recipe

No flour is needed here; sweet corn syrup is the glue that holds this delicious holiday candy together. Pack in smoked almonds, pecans walnuts or peanuts for an extra salty crunch.

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Mocha Truffle Cake

Credit: Kate Sears; Styling: Gerri Williams

Mocha Truffle Cake Recipe

This flourless cake's prep is so easy, making it perfect during those busy holiday months. Its bold chocolate flavor is so satisfying that it's unlikely you'll be able to think about seconds.

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Baked Brie with Honey

Credit: John Kernick; Stylist: Alistar Turnbull/Pat Bates and Associates

Baked Brie with Honey Recipe

A drizzle of honey adds a bit of sweetness to savory Brie. Pair this Baked Brie with Honey appetizer with grapes, dried figs, or apple slices.

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Bourbon Caramel Sauce

Credit: Kate Sears; Styling: Elizabeth Blake

Bourbon Caramel Sauce Recipe

A big splash of whiskey flavors Bourbon Caramel Sauce to create one decadent topping for your favorite ice cream.

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Perfect Poached Shrimp

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Lindsey Ellis Beatty

Perfect Poached Shrimp Recipe

Shrimp is always a popular appetizer item, and it also happens to be a great low-fat and gluten-free offering, particularly when it's poached. You can make this recipe a day ahead and keep chilled in the refrigerator until you're ready to serve.

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Chocolate-Almond Toffee

Credit: Kiyoshi Togashi; Styling: Sarah Smart

Chocolate-Almond Toffee Recipe

Buttery toffee is topped with chopped whole almonds to add extra crunch in this gluten-free dessert. If you use other nuts, toast them first.

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Bourbon-Caramel Truffles

Credit: Levi Brown; Styling: Tiziana Agnello

Bourbon-Caramel Truffles Recipe

A little bourbon goes a long way in these delightful truffles filled with chocolaty goodness.

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Cranberry-Whiskey Sour Slush

Credit: Levi Brown; Styling: Tiziana Agnello

Cranberry-Whiskey Sour Slush Recipe

Is it a drink or dessert? Who cares? It satisfies both cravings. This garnet-colored slush has all the qualities of a delicious cocktail--a not-too-sweet combination of high-quality liquor and fruity tang.

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Spiced Applesauce

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Styling: Gerri Williams

Spiced Applesauce Recipe

A heavy meal sometimes needs a light dessert. AT 87 calories per serving, this homemade applesauce satisfies your sweet tooth without setting you over the edge at holiday meals.

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Sausage Mushroom Caps

Credit: Thomas J. Story; Styling: Dan Becker

Sausage Mushroom Caps Recipe

These sausage-stuffed mushrooms are the perfect 1-bite party food and are always a crowd pleaser. Use spicy sausage for more kick.

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Classic Pavlova

Credit: Sang An

Classic Pavlova Recipe

Pavlova, a golden pink-hued dome of meringue topped with whipped cream and juicy ripe fruit, is a seriously underappreciated dessert

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Coffee Sundaes with Salted Peanut Butter Caramel

Credit: Peden & Munk; Styling: Amy Wilson

Coffee Sundaes with Salted Peanut Butter Caramel Recipe

The sweet and salty combo in this sundae is truly amazing. Serve it to special guests, or treat the family to a weeknight splurge.

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Cream Cheese-and-Olive Pecan Bites

Credit: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Marian Cooper Cairns

Cream Cheese-and-Olive Pecan Bites Recipe

These little cream cheese-filled pecan bites are the perfect combination of creamy and crunchy. You'll have a hard time stopping with just one bite.

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Homemade Caramel Taffy

Credit: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Homemade Caramel Taffy Recipe

A gift of Homemade Caramel Taffy will be a sure hit for the caramel connoisseur on your list.

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Salmon and Cucumber Bites

Salmon and Cucumber Bites Recipe

Dramatically cut the calories out of this simple canape by subbing crisp cucumber slices for bread. The freshness of the cucumbers pairs well with the smoked salmon and creamy topping.

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Chai-Spiced Fudge

Credit: Ryan Benyi; Styling: Gerri Williams

Chai-Spiced Fudge Recipe

Skip the store-bought stuff! Chai-Spiced Fudge is the perfect bite and makes a great gift, too.

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Ham and Cheddar Potato Skins

Ham and Cheddar Potato Skins Recipe

This traditionally high-fat appetizer got a makeover using reduced-fat sour cream, a reduced amount of cheese, and smaller potatoes to keep these bites portion-controlled.

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Brazilian Pecan-Cinnamon Truffles

Credit: William Brinson

Brazilian Pecan-Cinnamon Truffles Recipe

These adorable gluten-free truffles only require five ingredients and have just the right amount of sweetness for the perfect bite-sized holiday treat.

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Baked Chocolate Mousse

Credit: Nigel Cox; Styling: Tiziana Agnello

Baked Chocolate Mousse Recipe

Serve this creamy decadent Baked chocolate mousse this holiday season for a no-fail treat the entire family will love. The texture is so incredibly light and fluffy, that it just melts in your mouth.

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Warm Lemon-Rosemary Olives

Credit: Jim Franco; Styling: Leslie Siegel

Warm Lemon-Rosemary Olives Recipe

Mixed olives are available at most groceries and make the easiest appetizer whether you’re gluten-free or not.

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Chocolate Pots de Crème

Credit: Oxmoor House

Chocolate Pots de Crème Recipe

This no-fuss dessert requires less than 15 minutes of prep time, and the finished product is sure to draw oohs and aahs from guests of all ages.

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Savory Gluten-Free Tart Crust

Credit: Aran Goyoaga

Savory Gluten-Free Tart Crust Recipe

Look no further for a perfectly portioned out gluten-free crust recipe. Filled with savory or sweet fillings, this crust is sure to satisfy with any holiday recipe.

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Warm Mocha Pudding

Credit: Nigel Cox; Styling: Tiziana Agnello

Warm Mocha Pudding Recipe

If you've never tried a warm pudding, this is the one to try. The flavors are more up front when the pudding is warm.

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Smoked Salmon and Cheese Mini Twice-Baked Potatoes

Credit: Howard L. Puckett; Styling: Lydia Degaris-Pursell

Smoked Salmon and Cheese Mini Twice-Baked Potatoes Recipe

Potatoes make the perfect canvas for hearty gluten-free appetizers like these Smoked Salmon and Cheese Mini Twice-Baked Potatoes.

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Almond Truffles

Credit: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Linda Hirst

Almond Truffles Recipe

These bite-size treats only require 4 ingredients and 20 minutes of prep time.

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Greek Yogurt with Warm Berry Sauce

Credit: Nigel Cox; Styling: Tiziana Agnello

Greek Yogurt with Warm Berry Sauce Recipe

Frozen berries make this a year-round treat and a perfect solution for a gluten-free guest.

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Prosciutto-Wrapped Mango Bites

Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Buffy Hargett

Prosciutto-Wrapped Mango Bites Recipe

Ask for paper-thin slices of meat at the deli counter. To ease prep, look for a package of presliced mango in the produce section. We do not recommend jarred mango slices—they're too soft.

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Brie with Jeweled Fruit Compote

Credit: William Dickey; Styling: Rose Nguyen

Brie with Jeweled Fruit Compote Recipe

This lovely appetizer is about as quick and easy as it gets--as tasty, too. You don't even need to let the cheese come to room temperature first; the warm fruit that goes on top will soften it up. Serve with crostini or crackers.

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Spicy Herb Roasted Nuts

Credit: James Carrier

Spicy Herb Roasted Nuts Recipe

This roasted nut recipe is perfect for the holidays as it features herbs traditionally used at Thanksgiving and Christmas, such as sage, thyme, and savory.

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Stuffed Baby Potatoes

Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Stuffed Baby Potatoes Recipe

Stuffed Baby Potatoes pack plenty of favor in bite-size portions.These savory appetizers also present a touch of elegance to your party table. If you don't have chives on hand, minced scallions will do the trick.

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Bittersweet Fudge with Sea Salt

Credit: Iain Bagwell

Bittersweet Fudge with Sea Salt Recipe

Sprinkled sea salt surprises the palette and brings out rich, dark chocolate flavor in Bittersweet Fudge with Sea Salt. Atop this fudgy treat, flaky types of salt shaped like pyramids or thin shards show up the best and won't overpower the sweet.

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Brussels Sprout and Prosciutto Skewers

Credit: Annabelle Breakey; Styling: Karen Shinto

Brussels Sprout and Prosciutto Skewers Recipe

Pickup appetizers are ideal for cocktail parties; they're individually portioned and don't require any plate balancing while your guests enjoy. Try this new spin on the prosciutto skewer. It's delicious and can be made ahead to save you time on the day of the party.

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Gruyère-Bacon Dip