Gluten-Free Christmas Treats: What to Buy and Make

Christmas is built on flour: shortbread, gingerbread, pastry, pudding and cake. For anyone who is coeliac or gluten intolerant, it can feel like a day of saying no. It does not have to be. Plenty of Christmas treats are made gluten free, and several of the best desserts are naturally gluten free already.

Gluten-free shortbread

Shortbread is one of the easiest bakes to make gluten free, because it relies on butter rather than gluten for its texture. Rice flour gives it a lovely sandy crumb. The Valley Produce Company Gluten Free Pure Butter Shortbread is a ready-made option. More on shortbread in our Christmas shortbread guide.

Gluten-free gingerbread

Gingerbread Folk make gluten-free versions of their gingerbread. The gluten-free chocolate gingerbread man is a good stocking filler or place-setting gift, and the gluten-free Kiddiewinks come in a 225g pack for sharing. Our guide to gingerbread biscuits and gingerbread spice covers the spice blend if you are baking your own with gluten-free flour.

Gluten-free crackers for the cheese board

The cheese board is the easiest place to include everyone. Gluten-free crackerthins come in rosemary and black pepper too. Put them on their own plate with their own knife, so they do not pick up crumbs from wheat crackers.

Christmas desserts that are naturally gluten free

Some of the best Christmas desserts need no flour at all.

• Pavlova. Egg whites, sugar and cornflour. Check the cornflour is labelled gluten free, as some is made from wheat.
• Panna cotta. Cream, sugar and gelatine, set with berries on top.
• Chocolate mousse. Chocolate, eggs and cream.
• Eton mess. Crushed meringue, cream and berries.
• Fruit platters of mango, cherries and stone fruit, the best of the Australian summer.

For panettone, which is normally a wheat bread, see our guide to gluten-free panettone in Australia.

Swaps that work

• Trifle: use gluten-free shortbread or sponge as the base. Check the custard is gluten free.
• Rocky road: use gluten-free biscuits and check the marshmallows.
• Stuffing: make it with gluten-free bread or cooked rice.
• Gravy: thicken with cornflour labelled gluten free instead of plain flour.

Hosting a coeliac guest

For someone with coeliac disease, even a crumb of gluten can make them unwell, so a little care goes a long way.

• Read every label. Look for "gluten free" on the pack. Gluten hides in stock, sauces, spice mixes and some chocolate.
• Serve their food first, before anyone can put a used spoon into it.
• Use separate boards and knives for gluten-free bread and crackers.
• Ask. Your guest knows their needs better than anyone, and will appreciate being asked.

A gluten-free Christmas gift

The Gluten Free Gourmet Hamper brings together gourmet treats from Australia and overseas, chosen for gluten-free guests. As with any food gift for someone with coeliac disease, the recipient should still check each label.

Browse all of our gluten-free options, and for other dietary needs see our guides to a dairy-free Christmas and vegan Christmas food.