Delicious & Easy Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Thanksgiving Desserts: Your Ultimate Holiday Guide

Just because you’re navigating gluten and dairy sensitivities doesn’t mean your Thanksgiving dessert table has to be anything less than spectacular! This year, prepare to delight everyone with a collection of 24 absolutely delicious gluten-free and dairy-free Thanksgiving desserts. We promise these treats are so good, your guests won’t even realize they’re enjoying allergy-friendly versions of their holiday favorites. Baking without gluten and dairy might seem daunting at first, as these ingredients are often considered staples, but thankfully, innovation in ingredients and techniques has opened up a world of possibilities. You’ll find fantastic substitutions that ensure a satisfying and memorable holiday experience – truly something to be thankful for this Thanksgiving!

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Essential Tips for Successful Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Holiday Baking

Before we dive into the tempting recipes, let’s cover some fundamental tips to ensure your baking endeavors are a resounding success. Especially if you’re new to the world of gluten-free and dairy-free baking, these foundational insights will help you confidently create delicious holiday desserts.

Plan Ahead for a Stress-Free Holiday!

One of the most crucial steps for any holiday baking, particularly with specialty ingredients, is to plan well in advance. Some gluten-free and dairy-free staples can become scarce or hard to find as major holidays like Thanksgiving approach. To avoid last-minute stress, make sure your pantry, fridge, and freezer are fully stocked long before the holiday season kicks into high gear. This way, you can focus on the joy of baking your desired dessert without any frantic searches for ingredients. Here’s a comprehensive list of baking essentials I always keep on hand for my gluten-free and dairy-free creations:

All-purpose gluten-free flour blend (ensure it contains xanthan gum for structure and elasticity, which is often missing in single-grain GF flours)
Coconut oil (a versatile fat for baking, especially in recipes requiring solid fats)
Butter-flavored shortening (like Crisco, which can add a buttery flavor profile without dairy)
Dairy-free butter sticks (I highly recommend Earth Balance Buttery Sticks and Country Crock Plant Butter in Olive Oil for their excellent performance in baking and their creamy texture)
White sugar
Brown sugar
Eggs (if not strictly vegan)
Country Crock Plant Cream (an excellent substitute for heavy whipping cream)
Coco Whip (a fantastic ready-made frozen whipped topping alternative)
Canned coconut cream (for rich, creamy textures in many desserts, especially when chilled)
Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese (a popular choice for dairy-free cheesecakes and frostings)
Essential spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, pumpkin pie spice, and allspice (crucial for classic fall flavors)
Gluten-free graham crackers of choice (we love Schar for pie crusts and crumbles)
Gluten-free oats (for crumbles, crisps, and some pie crusts)
Baking soda and baking powder
Cocoa powder
Canned pumpkin puree (stock up, you’ll likely need more than one can!)
Maple syrup (a natural sweetener that adds depth of flavor)
Nonstick cooking spray
Dairy-free chocolate chips (essential for chocolate lovers!)
Oat flour (you can easily make your own by blending gluten-free oats in a high-speed blender or food processor)
Frozen berries (great for cobblers, crisps, and fruit pies)
And don’t forget some dairy-free vanilla ice cream to top your warm pies! Brands like So Delicious, Oatly, NadaMoo, and Frönen offer excellent options.

Understanding Vegan Thanksgiving Desserts

It’s a common misconception that all dairy-free recipes are automatically vegan. While many of the dairy-free options presented here are indeed vegan, it’s crucial to remember that “dairy-free” simply means no milk products, whereas “vegan” means no animal products at all, including eggs, honey, or gelatin. Therefore, if you’re catering to a vegan audience, always read through each recipe carefully to confirm it meets all vegan requirements. Recipes using eggs, for example, would be dairy-free but not vegan. Fortunately, many of our recipes are developed with both dairy-free and vegan needs in mind, offering delicious solutions for everyone.

Choosing the Right Gluten-Free Flour

Navigating gluten-free flours can feel like a maze, but here’s a golden rule: I generally find that using a pre-blended all-purpose gluten-free flour (especially one that includes xanthan gum) is much simpler and more consistent than trying to create your own blend from scratch. These blends are formulated to mimic the properties of wheat flour as closely as possible. However, for the best results, always, always follow the specific directions of the written recipe. Substituting ingredients willy-nilly, especially flours, can drastically alter the outcome, and you certainly don’t want a less-than-perfect pie on Thanksgiving day!

Please note, you absolutely cannot substitute a single gluten-free flour (like almond flour or coconut flour) for an all-purpose gluten-free blend. This is a question I get all the time, and the answer is a firm no. Regular wheat flour has a complex structure thanks to gluten. To successfully mimic this without gluten, it typically requires a combination of multiple gluten-free grains and starches, each contributing different properties like structure, tenderness, and chewiness. A single flour simply can’t achieve this balance. While I’m not biased toward any particular brand and often use store brands like Walmart’s, I find that blends with a base of mostly rice flour, potato starch, and tapioca starch (with some sorghum flour being acceptable) tend to work exceptionally well for general baking.

Mastering Dairy-Free Swaps

For dairy-free baking, there are now many fantastic alternatives that can often be used as direct 1:1 substitutions. Again, for optimal results, I recommend sticking to the specifics called for in a well-developed dairy-free recipe. Here’s a breakdown of common dairy-free swaps and what to expect:

Dairy-Free Butter Sticks: Brands like Earth Balance Buttery Sticks are excellent and can generally swap 1:1 for regular butter in most recipes, offering a similar fat content and rich flavor that’s crucial for baking.
Frozen Whipped Topping: Coco Whip is a fantastic, convenient store-bought alternative to traditional frozen whipped topping, perfect for dolloping on pies.
Heavy Whipping Cream: Country Crock Plant Cream works wonderfully as a direct substitute for heavy whipping cream, providing that desired richness and the ability to whip up into soft peaks.
Cream Cheese & Sour Cream Alternatives: Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese and their sour cream alternative are popular choices. Be aware that these products can sometimes be a bit more watery or have a slightly different texture than their dairy counterparts. Good dairy-free recipes often account for this, perhaps by adding a bit of cornstarch or using specific cooling methods to ensure proper setting (like in my chocolate cheesecake!).
Dairy-Free Milk: This category is a bit of a “landmine,” as everyone has their favorite based on taste, sugar content, potential allergies, and aftertaste. Generally, most dairy-free milks (almond, soy, oat, rice, coconut) can be swapped in and out without major issues in recipes where milk isn’t the star ingredient. However, they do vary in fat content and flavor profile. Personally, my favorite is rice milk. While it’s thinner than some other options, it offers a neutral taste that doesn’t leave an aftertaste or compete with other flavors in your dessert. Ultimately, to each their own!
Dairy-Free Ice Cream: Dairy-free ice creams can sometimes be a bit icier and less creamy than traditional ice cream due to differences in fat and protein content. Many are made with coconut milk or almond milk, which might impart a subtle aftertaste. However, they still absolutely hit the spot when you crave something cool and melty over a warm slice of pie.

Equip Your Kitchen: Essential Baking Tools

To successfully conquer any dairy-free and gluten-free dessert recipe, having the right tools makes all the difference. While elaborate equipment isn’t always necessary, these basics will set you up for success:

Large mixing bowls: Essential for combining ingredients without spills.
Handheld electric beaters: A must-have for creaming, whipping, and mixing. Even better if you have a stand mixer for hands-free convenience!
Rubber spatulas: Perfect for scraping bowls clean and gently folding ingredients.
Measuring cups and spoons: Accuracy is key in baking, especially with gluten-free flours.
Baking containers: Have a variety on hand, such as muffin tins, pie tins (9-inch is standard), a 13×9-inch rectangular pan, and square baking pans.
Parchment paper, aluminum foil, and plastic wrap: Indispensable for lining pans, covering dishes, and storing leftovers.
Wire racks: For cooling your baked goods evenly and preventing sogginess.
Whisk: For aerating dry ingredients or quickly combining wet ones.
Kitchen scale: For precise measurement of flours, which can be critical in gluten-free baking.
Oven thermometer: To ensure your oven is truly at the temperature you set it to.
Timer: To keep track of crucial baking times.

Your Ultimate Collection of Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Thanksgiving Desserts!

And now, the moment you’ve been waiting for! Presenting our curated list of delicious dairy-free and gluten-free Thanksgiving desserts. You can access each mouth-watering recipe by clicking on the title below its picture or directly on the image itself. Just imagine: last year’s boring Thanksgiving desserts will be a distant memory! Dare to branch out and try some new recipes; I’m confident you’ll be thrilled with the results. Please note that the majority of these incredible recipes are my own, so I can personally vouch for their deliciousness. The last 10 recipes in the list are contributions from my talented blogging friends, whom I trust to deliver equally amazing, high-quality desserts. Their names will be listed next to their recipes, so you know where to find these gems!

Gluten and Dairy Free Triple Chocolate Pie

Gluten Free Vegan Pumpkin Crumble (Move over, classic pumpkin pie! This version with a ginger snap crust is absolutely BOMB.)

Gluten Free Dairy Free Frozen Raspberry Pie

Ina Garten Apple Tart (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

Strawberry Chocolate Galette

Strawberry Jello Pie (Allergy-Friendly, No-Bake)

Allergy-Friendly Peach Pie

Gluten-Free Vegan Lemon Cream Pie Bars

Allergy-Friendly Pumpkin Mousse Pie (A delightful and lighter twist on the traditional pumpkin pie!)

Black Bottom Oatmeal Pie (No-Nut Pecan Pie)

Vegan Chocolate Cheesecake

Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Peppermint Pie

Gluten-Free Vegan Pumpkin Cake with Dairy-Free Cream Cheese Frosting

Cherry Cobbler (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Vegan)

Gluten Free Pecan Pie by Allergy Free Alaska

Gluten-Free Apple Pie (complete with a deliciously flaky crust!) by Allergy Free Alaska

Gluten Free Apple Cobbler by The Roasted Root

Gluten Free Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake by Vegetarian Mama

VeganGluten-Free Pecan Pie by Vegetarian Mama

Vegan Caramel Pecan Cheesecake by Texan Erin

Gluten Free Vegan Mini Apple Pies with Caramel by Texan Erin

Easy Dairy-free Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pie by Mama Knows Gluten Free

Gluten-free Crustless Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes by Meaningful Eats

Gluten-free Dairy Free Coconut Cream Pie by Meaningful Eats

**No matter which delightful dessert you choose, I sincerely hope you have a wonderful, tasty, and happy Thanksgiving celebration with your entire family!**

Planning the Main Course?

Do you need guidance on what to serve for the actual Thanksgiving meal, beyond just these fantastic desserts? Be sure to check out my super popular COMPLETE THANKSGIVING MEAL PLAN FOR FOOD ALLERGIES. It will provide you with a full feast, complete with a wide array of options to accommodate various dietary needs and ensure everyone enjoys a delicious and safe holiday meal.

DON’T FORGET TO PIN IT, SO YOU DON’T LOSE THESE AMAZING RECIPES! WHILE YOU’RE THERE, BE SURE TO EXPLORE MY OTHER DIETARY SPECIFIC PINS AND BOARDS for more allergy-friendly inspiration.