These gluten-free and dairy-free desserts are going to knock your socks off.
Fact is – over the last decade, the ingredients and recipes have improved so much that, with a little work, you can get a great gluten + dairy-free version of just about any dessert.
So let’s dive in!
A quick guide to gluten-free + dairy-free baking
The “dairy-free” side of the equation is pretty simple. There are all kinds of plant-based milks out there that bake pretty similarly to dairy milk and half & half. You’ll find that we’re partial to coconut milk because of its thickness, wholesomeness, and subtle flavor – it’s really the only plant-based milk that can go punch-for-punch with whole milk in terms of how much body and structure it provides in a dessert. In my experience, most other plant milks are too watery and need extra thickening to pull their weight. Coconut milk just gives you a simple one-for-one substitution without a whole lot of fuss. You get a little sweetness and flavor from the coconut, which usually enhances the dessert (or you can use chocolate to cover it up).
The “gluten-free” side of things is a little more complicated. Because gluten provides structure, any flour that doesn’t have gluten will need some help to keep the bake maintaining its shape and structure. Binders (usually eggs) are good for this, so you’ll find that you’re using more than you’re probably used to. That’s ok!
There are quite a few gluten-free flours out there, but we’ve picked out a handful of the best. My personal favorites are coconut and almond flour – each has its own unique personality, but they’re straightforward once you know what to look out for.
Coconut flour soaks up liquid like a sponge, so you’ll find lots of extra liquid added to your bakes and usually just a little coconut flour (for experienced bakers – coconut flour is a 1:4 substitution ratio vs all-purpose flour, so you’ll use 1/4 cup of coconut flour per cup of all-purpose flour). Coconut flour bakes tend to be a little dense because of all that liquid.
Almond flour, by contrast, tends to yield chewier and fudgier textures. It’s closer to all-purpose flour in liquid absorbency and is a simple 1:1 substitution for baking ratios. Because of its higher fat content, it tends to deliver moister bakes, so it’s great for fudgy brownies, cakes, and cookies.
X amazing gluten-free + dairy-free desserts
I’ve broken these up into sections so you can focus where you’d like:
- Cookies
- Cakes
- Brownies and bars
- Ice cream and popsicles
Gluten-free + dairy-free cookies
Cookies the natural place to start your gluten-free + dairy-free baking journey. Most of them only use dairy in the form of butter or chocolate chips; replace the butter with coconut oil and make sure you’re using dairy-free chocolate chips, and voila!
Cookies are really simple recipes (which still taste delicious – some of my favorite desserts are below), so they’re just a great place to go for simple and straightforward gluten-free and dairy-free recipes.
Almond flour cookies (just two ingredients!)
These cookies have just two ingredients: Almond flour and maple syrup. No gluten, no dairy – also low carb, naturally vegan, Keto-friendly, and more.
Plus, with just two ingredients, they’re SUPER easy to make. And that simplicity does NOT come at the cost of taste! You’ve got beautiful, bold flavors here. Honestly, if you’re starting your gluten-free / dairy-free baking journey, these cookies are a great place to start.
Almond flour chocolate chip cookies
Love chocolate chip cookies? Love chocolate and nuts? Love gluten-free and dairy-free? Did you answer yes to any of these questions? Great. These cookies are for you. They’re a little more involved than the two-ingredient cookies above (I mean, literally, that would be true of just about any cookies, right? Two ingredients is tough to beat for simplicity), so I’d recommend them as a second foray into gluten-free and dairy-free baking…but they are 100% worth the slight added effort.
Chilling the dough really helps get that beautiful rise we all know and love in a cookie. Also make sure you get dairy-free chocolate chips!
Almond flour sugar cookies
Lots of sugar cookies are flavored with almond and vanilla extract – because almond and vanilla are such great subtle flavors to create a delicate cookie that holds up well with tons of frosting.
My preference? Instead of almond extract, to use the real thing and get my flavor straight from almond flour. Almond flour is perfect for this kind of cookie anyway, as it’s good for a strong flour that bakes pretty similarly to all-purpose if properly supported with binders (usually eggs).
This almond flour sugar cookie recipe is gluten-free and dairy-free as written, and it only takes about 10 minutes of prep work. Simple, easy, straightforward, and great for decorating on a snow day!
Coconut flour cookies (just three ingredients!)
These coconut flour cookies are a cinch to make with just three ingredients! (Ok, you can also dip them in chocolate, which requires a fourth ingredient – but still a startlingly easy recipe!)
Oh, and in addition to being both dairy-free and gluten-free, they’re also Paleo friendly and quick – 10 minutes of prep, 20 minutes of refrigeration, and 10-12 minutes of baking. Super easy and straightforward – and absolutely delicious! Proof positive that you don’t have to sacrifice taste when going gluten-free and dairy-free.
Coconut flour peanut butter cookies
These peanut butter cookies are easy to make and absolutely delicious. You’ll love how simple and fast they are (seven minutes prep, 12 minutes baking), and how they’re made with all-natural ingredients – including no dairy or gluten!
The key thing is to get that perfect amount of chewiness – crispy on the outside with a soft, light center – and this recipe gives you precise instructions to nail it every time!
Alternative – almond flour peanut butter cookies!
If you like your peanut butter cookies a little MORE on the chewy side, try this almond flour peanut butter cookie recipe instead. Almond flour is a great flour when you want a little more moisture, because it doesn’t naturally absorb as much liquid as coconut flour and its high fat content keeps things naturally moist as well.
Either of this recipes is a gluten-free / dairy-free winner; just pick which you’d prefer!
Coconut flour sugar cookies
The thing I love most about sugar cookies is that they’re VERY easy to make, and the icing is naturally dairy-free, so they easily adapt to all kinds of dietary needs. This sugar cookie recipe uses just a hint of coconut flour (and some coconut oil) to deliver a light and crisp cookie that still has all the tensile strength you need for icing. Simple, straightforward, delicious.
Beautiful vanilla almond flour cookies
These delicate almond flour cookies are quick to make (two minutes of prep time) and absolutely delicious. The combo of almond and vanilla in these cookies is just perfect, and because this recipe is so simple, you’ll find that these cookies are a go-to whenever you need to whip something up fast for a party (or to satisfy someone’s sweet tooth).
Almond flour biscotti (5 minute prep time)
Almond is frequently a flavor in biscotti because it’s light and subtle – so why not just get your almond flavor straight from the source and do biscotti with almond flour? These biscotti are naturally gluten-free and dairy-free, plus they’re super easy to make (baking and refrigeration take a while, but the prep is simple and very straightforward).
Oh, and did I mention that they’re delicious? Cinnamon and dark brown sugar just give them a lovely, festive heat that goes so well with the almond flavor.
Gluten-free + dairy-free cakes
Cakes are where the rubber really meets the road on your gluten-free + dairy-free baking journey. Because you’re using lots of flour (usually almond or coconut) and need that structure that gluten usually provides, these are going to be your trickiest and most challenging recipes.
(Aside from the mug cakes. They’re super easy and very tasty.)
The key thing is to start by following recipes (like those below) that were developed specifically for gluten-free baking, NOT trying to do substitutions all on your own. Plenty of time for that once you’re really comfortable with how these flours work.
Almond flour cake
I love to make this delicious almond flour cake as a snacking cake to just much on throughout the day. It’s great all on its own, and the almond flour makes it naturally moist. Of course, if you want to go all fancy, it makes an excellent base for additional flavors (frosting, whipped cream, jam, etc.) which you can use to top it and really take things to the next level.
Coconut flour chocolate cake
This chocolate cake is dense and delicious – I think of it as just about the closest you can get to a flourless chocolate cake with still having, you know, flour. Coconut flour soaks up a ton of moisture, so it’s really great for dense and rich bakes like this chocolate cake. This cake doesn’t use anything dairy or dairy-adjacent – its moisture all comes from eggs, coconut oil, and your nut butter of choice. You’re gonna love it. (Even people who don’t love gluten-free baking love it!)
Angel food cake
This delicious angel food cake is made with coconut flour (so, gluten-free) and uses 12 egg whites to create a light and fluffy texture. Even with all those eggs – it’s not eggy, or dense, and the natural coconut flavor from the coconut flour makes for a really delicious flavor. This is genuinely one of the best gluten-free recipe adaptations I’ve ever seen.
Keto mug cake
Mug cakes are one of my favorite desserts, because they’re no-mess: Literally you make it in a mug, throw it in a microwave, and then eat it out of the same mug! (I mean, ok, sure, you could transfer it to a bowl after that and eat it that way, but why?) The mug the provides all the structure you need to hold the cake up, and because it’s a microwaved dish this takes only a few minutes to make and a few minutes to cook. Simple, easy, straightforward.
In addition to being naturally dairy-free and gluten-free, this awesome mug cake recipe is Keto too!
Keto CHOCOLATE mug cake (also Paleo)
Mug cake is great. Add chocolate, and it’s genuinely divine. The gooeyness is just perfect for delivering a really rich chocolate flavor. This dairy-free dessert uses coconut flour and coconut oil to give the mug cake body and richness. Another super easy and straightforward gluten-free and dairy-free dessert – geared toward all the chocolate lovers out there!
Peanut butter mug cake (just 3 ingredients)
Because mug cakes don’t need a lot of structure (the mug providing all of it), you can do some really fun and easy stuff with them. Take this peanut butter mug cake, which has just three ingredients: An egg, some peanut butter, and a little sugar. Peanut butter is enough structure for this mug cake! Because you just don’t need a whole lot. (You can – and should! – top with chocolate, peanuts, and a dairy-free whipped cream to make it extra decadent.) It’s a delicious weeknight recipe that takes just a moment to put together and a moment to microwave to perfection!
Almond mug cake
Coconut flour cake
This coconut flour cake is fantastic – light, fluffy, moist – everything you want in a cake. It’s a beautiful white cake that you can bake as a sheet cake or in layers, depending on what you’re looking for. As written, it’s Paleo, gluten-free, and dairy-free – and can easily be made Keto. So this is a great, flexible recipe for all kinds of people.
And in addition to being delicious all on its own, this cake also makes a fantastic base for all kinds of additional flavors. You can top a white cake with just about anything, and it’ll come out delicious!
Gluten-free + dairy-free bars and brownies
Honestly, bars and brownies are my favorite desserts. The recipes are generally hassle-free, and the combination of flavors is fantastic. You’ll love these – proof positive that you don’t have to give up on taste to bake gluten-free and dairy-free!
Magic cookie bars (Paleo, Keto)
These magic cookie bars are TO DIE FOR. Chocolate, shredded coconut, butterscotch, and this delicious buttery crust combine to make a truly delicious dessert. (And one that is Paleo, Keto, grain-free, low-carb, gluten-free, and vegan. So it should work well for just about anyone in your life!)
I have a weakness for bars – they combine all the awesome toppings of cakes with the simplicity of a brownie or cookie recipe. This magic cookie bar is one of the best there is, just because it’s got so many great flavors all together.
Millionaire shortbread bars
Listen, I’m a sucker for anything that has caramel, chocolate, or shortbread in it. Put all three together, and you’ve built the perfect dessert as far as I’m concerned. These millionaire bars are vegan and gluten-free, because the base of every layer is coconut – coconut flour for the crust, coconut milk (mixed with Medjool dates) for the caramel, and coconut milk or coconut oil for the chocolate.
This gets you a rich and delicious combo of flavors, and – like I said – millionaire bars are pretty close to the perfect dessert in my book. Try these out – you’ll be glad you did.
Easy, fudgy almond flour brownies
If you love fudgy brownies, this recipe is 100% for you. Oh, and did I mention it only takes about five minutes of prep before you pop these bad boys in the oven?
Almond flour naturally lends itself to fudgy brownies, both because its high fat content means it tends to be a pretty moist flour…and its lack of gluten means it’s naturally missing some of that structure that gluten provides. As written, the recipe is not dairy-free, but all you need to do is swap out the butter for coconut oil and make sure that whatever chocolate chips you use are dairy-free. Easy peasy.
Almond is a great flavor for mug cakes – and almond flour is fantastic for delivering the texture you want and expect in this delicious dessert.
This gluten-free recipe can be made dairy-free by swapping out the one tablespoon of milk and one tablespoon of butter for an equivalent amount of coconut or almond milk, and coconut oil, respectively. Mug cakes will always be the easiest desserts you ever make.
Gluten-free + dairy-free ice cream and popsicles
Coconut milk (or coconut cream) is the core ingredient for all of these delicious frozen treats – for the simple reason that coconut milk is thick enough to deliver a really beautiful ice cream / popsicle base. And because coconut is both gluten-free and dairy-free, you know it’s going to deliver!
Coconut ice cream
This coconut ice cream is simple and straightforward – it’s got lovely notes of vanilla, honey, and toasted coconut that all combine to deliver a really beautiful and tasty treat! (You can also top with all kinds of additional stuff – see the section below for just a few ideas.) My favorite part? Just five minutes of prep to get the ingredients combined. (Freezing takes a wee bit longer, of course.)
Coconut milk vanilla bean ice cream
Coconut and vanilla are two of my favorite flavors to combine, because they’re both so subtle…and because a little goes a long way.
This ice cream is made with just coconut milk, vanilla beans, raw honey, and a pinch of sea salt – natural, simple ingredients that deliver a really beautiful finished product.
Chocolate coconut milk ice cream
The worst possible thing for chocolate ice cream is for it to be all icy. A rich and creamy chocolate ice cream is delicious; chocolate sorbet (in my humble opinion) is just plain nasty. This chocolate coconut milk ice cream, fortunately, has all the creaminess and richness you could possibly want. Also, chocolate and coconut go incredibly well together as flavors, so this beautiful and simple recipe is a match made in heaven!
Pumpkin ice cream
This coconut milk-based pumpkin ice cream has a little cinnamon, a pinch of ginger, a few drops of vanilla extract – and a TON of pumpkin flavor! Your family will love the rich, silky taste – while you’ll love the simplicity and the knowledge that you’re putting all-natural, gluten-free-and-dairy-free ingredients to work for a delicious seasonal dessert.
(Although, really, pumpkin can be great year-round; no need to wait for Fall!)
Easy coconut popsicle
One of the things I hate about storebought popsicles is that so many of them are filled with processed nonsense. Plus, if you’re going gluten-free and dairy-free…always best to know exactly what you’re putting in your body. Enter this delicious, simple coconut popsicle recipe. The base is just four ingredients – coconut milk, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and shredded coconut.
Like several other recipes in this list, this popsicle is an excellent base – you can add fresh or frozen fruit to add some beautiful additional flavors. I love pineapple (tropical complement to coconut), strawberries, and cherries, personally.
Strawberries & cream popsicles
These strawberries are downright decadent – coconut cream delivers a really silky creaminess to them, and when combined with strawberries, the result is a beautiful recipe. It’s one of those summer desserts that delivers both refreshing fruit flavor AND a solid underpinning so things don’t feel all icy.
Just gorgeous. Try them out.
Fruit popsicles (super refreshing)
Unlike the previous two recipes, these fruit popsicles are NOT made with coconut milk or coconut cream. Instead, we use coconut water so you get a really refreshing popsicle that’s perfect after a run or a swim.
And even among a group of recipes that are simple…this one stands out with just two ingredients – coconut water and fruit. That’s it. Give them a whirl – you’ll love them.
Gluten-free + dairy-free dessert toppings
Whipped cream
This whipped cream recipe is made with coconut milk, vanilla extract, and any sweetener of choice. That means it’s not only dairy-free and gluten-free…but simple, straightforward, easy to make, and made with all-natural ingredients! This delicious whipped cream is a must-have as you’re decorating cakes, brownies, and more.
(And to be honest, once you see how simple and delicious it is, you won’t miss “regular” whipped cream even a little bit.)
Toasted coconut
Toasted coconut gives you that beautiful crunch for great texture – and that subtle coconut flavor that’s a great complement to chocolate, vanilla, cream, caramel, and all kinds of other delicious desserts! This toasted coconut recipe is super easy – it takes just five minutes to make and has just one ingredient!
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