Delicious Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Dessert Recipes

Going gluten-free doesn’t mean you have to give up dessert, and adding dairy-free options doesn’t either. After years of testing and enjoying gluten-free desserts, I’ve gathered the recipes I return to most often. Some are naturally dairy-free, while others include easy substitutions so you can make them either way. From chocolate cakes and creamy puddings to fruit pies and frozen treats, there’s a dessert here for every craving.

I Know How Hard It Is to Give Up Your Favorite Desserts

It’s frustrating to feel like your favorite sweets are off-limits. Thankfully, finding delicious gluten-free desserts has become much easier, and many recipes are simple to adapt to dairy-free. In this roundup nearly every recipe either skips dairy or includes a dairy-free option, so you don’t have to choose. You can enjoy treats that taste homemade and familiar while accommodating dietary needs.

Classic Desserts without Dairy

Below are everyday favorites that are naturally dairy-free or easily made dairy-free. Each entry includes a short description and a link to the full recipe.

Gluten-Free Chocolate Mug Cake

A microwave mug cake made with gluten-free flour, cocoa powder, and coconut oil. No eggs or dairy are needed, and chocolate chips melt into the batter for an extra rich bite. Naturally dairy-free and vegan—perfect for a warm single-serving treat.

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This quick mug cake is my go-to when I want something warm and homemade without baking a full cake. It’s made in minutes and has a moist, chocolatey crumb.

Dairy-Free Chocolate Pudding

Rich, creamy, and silky pudding made with soy milk (or another plant milk), cocoa powder, and dairy-free chocolate. Chill for a few hours for the best texture—an easy dessert with classic chocolate flavor.

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This stovetop pudding thickens to a luscious consistency and tastes like homemade chocolate cups—comforting and deeply chocolatey without dairy.

Dairy-Free Crème Brûlée

A refined dessert using full-fat coconut milk instead of cream to create a silky custard. Baked in a water bath, chilled, and finished with a caramelized sugar top for the classic crackly finish.

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The coconut milk produces a surprisingly smooth custard; torched sugar adds the signature crisp top while the center stays luxuriously creamy.

More Dairy-Free Chocolate Desserts

If chocolate is your thing, these dairy-free options deliver on richness and texture without dairy:

Dairy-Free Chocolate Fudge

Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Chocolate Fudge

A simple three-ingredient fudge made from sweetened condensed coconut milk, dairy-free chocolate chips, and vanilla. Melt, pour, chill, and finish with flaky sea salt for a perfect sweet-salty bite.

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Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate

dair-free hot chocolate in a white mug on a white saucer with marshmallows and cocoa powder

Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate

Silky hot chocolate made with oat milk, cocoa powder, and melted chocolate chips—ready in under 10 minutes for a cozy treat.

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Vegan Chocolate Mousse

Made with whipped coconut cream, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, and vanilla—this mousse whips up light, fluffy, and intensely chocolatey with just four ingredients.

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Dairy-Free Frozen Desserts

Frozen treats are easy to adapt. For a larger selection see the Dairy-Free Ice Cream Recipes roundup; below are a few favorites to start with.

Banana Peanut Butter Nice Cream

Banana Peanut Butter Ice Cream (Nice Cream)

Frozen bananas and natural peanut butter blend into a thick, creamy soft-serve without an ice cream maker—no refined sugar needed.

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Coconut Sorbet

Made with coconut milk, coconut cream, and sweetened condensed coconut milk, churned into a rich, scoopable tropical sorbet.

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Almond Milk Ice Cream

A simple four-ingredient base (soaked almonds blended with almond milk, maple syrup, and coconut oil) that freezes into a rich, scoopable ice cream—no churning required.

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Gluten-Free Dessert Recipes with Dairy-Free Option

The recipes in this section are often made with dairy but include clear dairy-free substitutions so you can prepare either version depending on your needs. They cover pies, cobblers, cakes, cookies, bars, and other treats that work well for holidays, weeknights, and gatherings.

Pies

A few standout gluten-free pie recipes that adapt easily to dairy-free ingredients:

Gluten-Free Apple Pie

Classic spiced apples in a flaky gluten-free double crust. Use dairy-free butter and a milk wash for the vegan option.

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Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pie

A creamy spiced filling in a crunchy cereal-based crust. The dairy-free option replaces dairy with coconut milk and plant-based butter.

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Gluten-Free Pecan Pie

Gooey pecan filling in a homemade gluten-free crust. Swap plant-based butter to make it dairy-free, or try a crustless version for less fuss.

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Cobblers and Crisps

Warm fruit desserts are comforting and easy to make dairy-free with simple swaps like plant-based butter and non-dairy milks.

Gluten-Free Peach Cobbler

Juicy peaches beneath a golden, fluffy cake topping. Use almond milk and plant-based butter for the dairy-free version.

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Gluten-Free Blueberry Cobbler

Sweet blueberries baked under a fluffy biscuit topping. A squeeze of lemon brightens the filling; use vegan butter and non-dairy milk to make it dairy-free.

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Cakes and Cupcakes

Cakes and cupcakes can be just as moist and satisfying when made gluten-free—most also offer easy dairy-free swaps.

Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake

A slice of rich, two-layer chocolate cake with chocolate frosting

Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake

Fudgy, tender layers from a buttermilk-style batter made gluten-free. The dairy-free option uses plant-based milk and butter so everyone can enjoy it.

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Gluten-Free Carrot Cake

Loaded with carrots, pineapple, coconut, and pecans for a moist texture, topped with tangy cream cheese frosting. Use dairy-free cream cheese for a vegan-friendly version.

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Cookies

Cookies are some of the easiest desserts to adapt. Here are a few family favorites that translate beautifully to gluten-free and dairy-free versions.

Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

Soft centers and chewy edges with classic butter and brown sugar flavor. Easily made dairy-free with plant-based butter and dairy-free chocolate chips.

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Gluten-Free Monster Cookies

Loaded with peanut butter, oats, chocolate chips, and colorful candy pieces. Use plant-based butter and dairy-free candy to make them dairy-free.

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Dessert Bars and Other Treats

Bars, blondies, and no-bake treats are great for feeding a crowd and simple to adapt for dairy-free diets.

Gluten-Free Brownies

Rich, fudgy, and chewy—these brownies come together in one bowl. Swap in plant-based butter to make a dairy-free batch everyone will love.

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Gluten-Free Lemon Bars

Bright, tangy lemon curd on a buttery shortbread crust. Replace the butter with plant-based butter for a dairy-free option.

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Gluten-Free Apple Pie Blondies

A soft blondie base topped with cinnamon apples and a maple-vanilla glaze—cozy, simple, and easy to make dairy-free with plant-based butter and non-dairy milk.

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Gluten-Free Rice Krispies Treats

A no-bake favorite made with marshmallows and crispy rice cereal. Use dairy-free butter and non-dairy milk for a vegan-friendly version.

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Whether you need treats for a holiday spread, a weeknight dessert, or an everyday indulgence, this roundup shows that gluten-free and dairy-free baking can be simple, delicious, and satisfying. Each recipe includes clear steps and options to adapt for dairy-free diets so everyone at the table can enjoy a sweet ending.