Desserts don’t need to be off limits just because your diet is gluten-free. Baked goods with alternative flours, meringues, ice cream, and more will satisfy your sweet tooth
“If cornbread were transformed into a sweet, moist, fluffy golden cake, this would be it,” says master baker Alice Medrich. She tops it here with whipped cream and crème fraîche, and curls of candied orange zest, but she likes it plain too.
These delicate French-style butter cookies melt in your mouth—a surprise, given oat’s reputation for sturdiness.
Recipe: Oat Flour and Almond Sablés
Warm from the oven and rich with chocolate and eggs, these mousse cups are a crowd pleaser. Good thing the recipe makes enough for 12.
Recipe: Molten Chocolate Mousse Cups
When friends gather and dessert calls for something special, pull out all the stops with this layered beauty.
Recipe: Banana Pecan Dacquoise
Bright citrus partnered with rich custard is like a Creamsicle® for grownups—without a messy Popsicle stick to worry about when you’re finished.
This not-too-sweet torte makes a lovely dessert, late-afternoon treat, or even breakfast. Almond flour (a gluten-free baking staple) gives it a rich, buttery texture; almond extract and sliced almonds heighten the flavor.
Recipe: Almond Torte with Grilled Figs
When you need a dessert in a hurry, try this healthy one—it comes together in 15 minutes. Go ahead and experiment with different fruit too. For example, kiwi and banana pair well with ginger.
Recipe: Gingered Fruit with Honey Yogurt
This meringue is as delicious as it is pretty. Make the components days ahead and assemble when you’re ready to serve. You’ll have plenty of Kumquat Conserva to send some home with your guests if you’re feeling generous. Your friends will love you for it.
When dining outside, fire up the grill for dessert. This grilled fruit on a stick is great on its own or in a bowl with a scoop of ice cream.
If you think the Popsicle molds you bought are only good for making treats for the kids, think again. Rose water gives these frozen treats a subtle flavor that any grownup would love.
You won’t miss the bright green mint ice cream of your childhood when you try this fresh mint version, courtesy of San Francisco’s Bi-Rite Creamery. The crackly bits of chocolate add something special too. Everyone screams extra loud for homemade ice cream—especially when it’s a Bi-Rite recipe. Make it, or any other ice cream, just a little more special by topping it with homemade hot fudge sauce. If you make it yourself, gone are worries about glutens, which are often added to commercial products.
Recipes:
Coconut tapioca pudding is comforting and delicious all by itself, but the tropical fruit and toasted coconut make this homey dessert exotic.
Recipe: Coconut Tapioca Pudding
Cardamom pudding with sweet, ripe mango is especially welcome after a spicy meal. For the cook, there’s something very satisfying about making pudding: A few simple ingredients come to a boil, cook briefly, and cool for a smooth, rich dessert.
Recipe: Cardamom Pudding with Mango
Simple, delicious, and beautiful, this sorbet pleases on many levels. Serve it for dessert—or as a midday treat; there’s no reason to wait until after dinner for a sweet indulgence. With all that fruit, it might even be good for you.
Recipe: Raspberry Sorbet