Dessert Recipes

Gluten Free Desserts

None of these things are healthy, but they make living gluten-free just a little bit easier!   I figure that since I'm making them myself, at least I know what's in them.

 

Soft Sugar Cookies

These work great for cutting out if you roll them out, or just make little balls and flatten out.
http://delicioushouse.blogspot.com/2011/07/best-ever-gluten-free-soft-iced-sugar.html
and they are great with homemade frosting (See below for recipe)

Pie Crust

I have tried a couple of different ones & both work well, but I have found that using a combination of butter & shortening seems to be best--the shortening makes the dough easier to work with and much flakier, while the butter gives it good flavor. For both of these recipes, try using half butter and half shortening. I have done these using my stand mixer, and also in the food processor.
http://glutenfreehomemaker.com/gluten-free-pie-crust/

http://www.pamelasproducts.com/easy-pie-crust/

Pumpkin Pie

My favorite is the recipe off the Libby's Pumpkin Can (using one of the pie crusts above). When baking, a pie shield is helpful to keep the crust from burning (put it on halfway through)
https://www.verybestbaking.com/recipes/18470/libbys-famous-pumpkin-pie/

Pecan Pie

I have used the recipe from Karo Corn Syrup, and also one from Pioneer Woman. I don't  like pecan pie (my oldest daughter thinks I'm a nut job) but my family has raved about both recipes! I have typically used pecan halves but some prefer the pecans chopped. Use one of the pie crust recipes above.

http://karosyrup.com/Recipe/Classic_Pecan_Pie

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/the-pie-thatll-make-you-cry/

White Cake

This is pretty close to regular white cake--finally found a good birthday cake recipe!!

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups brown rice flour
2/3 cup potato starch
1/3 cup tapioca starch
1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbsp baking powder
1 tsp xanthan gum
4 eggs
2 cups white sugar
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup melted butter (2 sticks)
1 tsp vanilla

 

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, grease two, 8" round cake pans, line with parchment paper (or put 24 muffin cups in muffin pan for cupcakes).  Mix dry ingredients, in a separate bowl beat eggs & sugar, gradually add dry ingredients, then add remaining wet ingredients.  Pour equally into pans, bake 30-35 minutes until cake is very lightly browned (cupcakes check at 15 minutes and add more time if necessary).

Vanilla Frosting

Basic buttercream frosting is my favorite--good recipe here

Chocolate Cake

This is a great basic chocolate cake recipe that does not even taste gluten free and uses gluten free oat flour. I often use it for cupcakes (makes about 24) but it works for a 9x13 pan (ends up being a fairly thick cake so if you want a thinner cake, you could use two smaller pans), would also work for 9" round layers.

Ingredients

3/4 cup cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups warm water
2 cup gluten free oat flour
1 1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp baking soda
4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp xanthan gum
3/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup oil (can use 1/4 oil, 1/4 applesauce)
5 eggs
2 tsp vanilla

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine dry ingredients and mix thoroughly so there are no lumps, then add wet ingredients and mix.  Pour into two, 9" round cake pans, one 9x13 pan or 2 muffin pans for cupcakes. Bake approximately 15 minutes for cupcakes, 20-30 for cake depending on thickness (check middle with toothpick to make sure it's done).

Chocolate Frosting #1 (Grammy's frosting)

This is delicious frosting, rather thin and smooth, it thickens as it cools. Best for sheet cakes (you can pour it on while still slightly warm). This will work even if you don't use a sifter (I don't have one!) but make sure to mix thoroughly so it doesn't have lumps! This frosting does not work as well for frosting cupcakes or layered cakes-- try the next frosting recipe for that.

Ingredients

1 stick butter
6 Tbsp buttermilk (if you don't have this, can use regular milk)
4 Tbsp cocoa powder
1 tsp vanilla
3 3/4 cup powdered sugar

Directions

Microwave butter, milk, cocoa powder to a boil, then add vanilla and sifted powdered sugar, then mix.  Leave out to cool to room temperature (can refrigerate to speed up process) Frosting will thicken as it cools, but this is a smooth, not-thick frosting.

Chocolate Frosting #2 (Chocolate buttercream frosting)

Great for frosting cupcakes, layer cakes, etc... I usually double the recipe if doing a layer cake, and you can add more/less milk to desired consistency. Great recipe here

Chocolate Chip Cake

This kind of tastes like a big fluffy chocolate chip cookie! My kids love it! I tweaked the recipe from one I found in a cookbook You Won't Believe It's Gluten free (by Roben Ryberg). The batter is thin, so if you add chocolate chips they will sink to the bottom, but if you bake for a few minutes first, then add chocolate chips, they will remain near the top/middle of cake.

Ingredients

2 2/3 cup oat flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
3 sp baking powder
1/2 tsp xanthan gum
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/3 cups milk
3 tsp apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup oil (can substitue half applesauce
5 eggs
4 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup chocolate chips

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine dry ingredients, then add wet ingredients (DO NOT add chocolate chips) and mix well (note: batter will be thin). Pour into 9x13 pan and bake for 5 minutes, then remove from oven and add chocolate chips, then return to oven and bake another 20-30 minutes until done in center.

Brownies

Not quite the same as the regular boxed mixes we're all used to, but these are rich, fudgy, and delicious! This recipe is for a 9x13 pan, but you can divide it in half for a smaller pan.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups gluten free flour (mix of whole grain/starches)
     I use: 1/2 cup oat flour
               1/4 cup sorghum
               1/4 cup sweet rice flour
               1/2 cup tapioca starch
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp cinnamon
2 sticks butter, melted or softened
3 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup (or more) semisweet (or dark) chocolate chips

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine dry ingredients, then add wet. Mix in chocolate chips at the end. Spread into greased 9x13 pan and bake for around 20 minutes (I would set timer for 15 and check it-- it all depends on how done you want your brownies!)
Monster Cookies

Chewy Brownies

I think my family prefers these to the previous brownie recipe- they are rich and chewy!
Flippin Delicious Fudgy Brownies

Pamela's Chocolate Chip Cookies

This recipe is on the bag of Pamela's baking mix-- it tastes great & is super easy--also great with m&ms :) I always double this as it makes a small batch. You can also bake in a 9x13 pan for cookie bars (just bake a little longer)
http://www.pamelasproducts.com/chocolate-chip-cookies/

Peanut Butter Bars

Not healthy at all, but super delicious! Recipe calls for a jelly roll pan, which I don't have. I usually use a 9x13 pan and an 8x8 square pan which works pretty well.

Ingredients

For the bars:
1 1/2 cup butter (softened)
3/4 cup peanut butter
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup corn syrup
2 eggs
1 3/4 cup gluten free flour (or baking mix)
1/2 tsp xanthan gum (omit if mix already contains)

For the frosting:
1/4 cup melted butter
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 cup milk
2 tsp vanilla
3 1/2 cup powdered sugar

 

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream peanut butter and sugar, add eggs, corn syrup, then dry ingredients.  Grease jelly roll pan (or 9x13 pan and 8x8 pan), spread into pan and bake for 15-20 minutes until edges are just beginning to brown.
For frosting, mix butter, cocoa powder and powdered sugar, then add rest.  Frost bars when cooled.

Nutella Cookies

Tasty and quick--my family loves Nutella! A little pricey though, since it takes a lot of Nutella to make! This is a small batch. I have also tried this with chocolate chips instead of adding powdered sugar.

Ingredients

1 cup Nutella
1 egg
1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp gluten free flour (or baking mix)
1/4 tsp xanthan gum (omit if mix already contains)
Powdered sugar (for sprinkling tops)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients except powdered sugar. Place blobs about 1 Tbsp size each, 2 inches apart on silicone lined baking sheet, bake about 8-10 minutes until they start to crack on top. Immediately sprinkle tops with powdered sugar (leave on pan a few minutes until they set up a little), then remove to cooling rack. Makes around 20 cookies.

No Bake Cookies

Easy to make GF--just use GF oats!

Ingredients

1 3/4 cup sugar1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup butter
4 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup peanut butter
3 cups gluten free oats (you can use quick cooking or whole rolled--just has different texture)
1 tsp vanilla

Directions

In a saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar, milk, butter, and cocoa powder. Increase heat enough to bring to a boil and cook while boiling for 1 1/2 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, stir in peanut butter, vanilla, and oats.  Drop onto sheets of waxed paper and let cool.

Snickerdoodles

One of my Dad's favorite cookies--my whole family loves these and they don't taste gluten free! I don't have white rice flour so I just use brown rice flour and potato or tapioca starch in this recipe. Found at gluten-free homemaker.

Chex Scotcheroos

Delicious recipe  here- I did not use butterscotch

Peanut butter cookie blossoms

Recipe Here- I used Pamelas baking mix for the flour

Double chocolate chip cookies

Recipe Here.