Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Desserts: Ideas for a 18-Year-Old Celiac

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Discussion Overview

This thread centers around sharing ideas and experiences related to gluten-free desserts suitable for Thanksgiving, particularly for an 18-year-old with celiac disease. Participants discuss various dessert options, including mixes and recipes, and share personal experiences with gluten-free baking.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, is seeking gluten-free dessert ideas for their niece who has recently been diagnosed with celiac disease.
  • Another participant mentions that a flourless chocolate cake recipe from a new cookbook appears to be gluten-free.
  • One user suggests purchasing gluten-free cake mixes from health food stores as a simpler alternative to baking from scratch.
  • Another participant shares their positive experience with Betty Crocker's Gluten Free Devils Food Cake mix, noting that it can be used to make cake bites that are enjoyed by everyone.
  • Several users mention their preference for King Arthur Flour gluten-free mixes, highlighting their versatility and quality compared to non-gluten-free mixes.
  • One participant suggests making a dessert without flour, using fresh apples and a crumb topping, while emphasizing the importance of using gluten-free oats.
  • Another participant expresses interest in making a chocolate chip sensation dessert, noting that their family enjoys it and inquires about its baking consistency.
  • One participant shares that their son finds gluten-free cookies to be indistinguishable from regular cookies, indicating satisfaction with the taste.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the best approach to gluten-free desserts, with some participants favoring pre-made mixes while others advocate for scratch baking or alternative recipes. No clear consensus emerges on a single best method.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal experiences and preferences regarding gluten-free baking, reflecting a variety of approaches and products available in the market.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for Pampered Chef consultants and others looking for gluten-free dessert ideas, particularly for family gatherings or holiday meals.

wadesgirl
wadesgirl
Gold Member
Messages
11,383
I'm in charge of making desserts for Thanksgiving. My 18 year old niece was recently diagnosed as gluten free and is still struggling with what to eat especially when having family dinners and going out to eat. I want to make sure there are a couple gluten free dessert items for her. But I have no clue where to start. I noticed that the new chocolate cookbook has a flourless chocolate cake recipe - this is the kind of thing I'm looking for but can it be made gluten free? What other things can I make?
 
I was looking at that this morning, for a friend who is also off gluten- it seems to be gluten-free, unless I am missing something.
 
You can go to a health food store and get gluten free items (like cake mix). It's easier than trying to do something from scratch. The people in the HF store can usually help you. Good luck.
 
The Betty Crocker Gluten Free Devils Food Cake mix is really good! My dad's wife is Celiac and I use the mix to make cake bites (using the mini muffin pan). I then do some type of frosting or chips on them - or even a chocolate coated fruit (gluten free). Yummy and she loves them- no one else realizes they are GF unless we say so (usually to get people to save her some!).
 
Our favorite GF dessert mixes are the King Arthur Flour mixes. (actually, our very favorite are Namaste, but those will be harder to find.)

Anyway - the KAF mixes are really good. The muffin mix is better than any non-GF mix I've ever used, and the cake, brownie, and cookie mixes are really good too. What I like best about the muffin and cookie mixes is that they are a basic mix with instructions on how to do add-ins to make your variations. For a treat, this past Sunday, I mixed up the muffins, and made 1/2 lemon poppyseed, and the other 1/2 I made orange chocolate chip.

You could use the cookie mix and make a Chocolate Chip Sensation, and no one would ever know that it was GF!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #6
ChefBeckyD said:
Our favorite GF dessert mixes are the King Arthur Flour mixes. (actually, our very favorite are Namaste, but those will be harder to find.)

Anyway - the KAF mixes are really good. The muffin mix is better than any non-GF mix I've ever used, and the cake, brownie, and cookie mixes are really good too. What I like best about the muffin and cookie mixes is that they are a basic mix with instructions on how to do add-ins to make your variations. For a treat, this past Sunday, I mixed up the muffins, and made 1/2 lemon poppyseed, and the other 1/2 I made orange chocolate chip.

You could use the cookie mix and make a Chocolate Chip Sensation, and no one would ever know that it was GF!
Click to expand...

Oohh... chocolate chip sensation was one I was going to make because my sister's family loves it so much. Does it bake up the same?
 
Rather than using a gluten free flour, try a dessert witohout a flour. Use fresh peeled, cut apples, season with a little sugar, cinnamon & little corn starch. Layer in small baker and cover with crumb topping of oatmeal, brown sugar & butter. Bake or microwave. Baked gets more crunch. No specific recipe,.depends on how big a crowd. Cook until apples are.done. You can also make microwave peanut brittle. Takes.10 min & tastes like the stove type.
 
cfmontijo said:
Rather than using a gluten free flour, try a dessert witohout a flour. Use fresh peeled, cut apples, season with a little sugar, cinnamon & little corn starch. Layer in small baker and cover with crumb topping of oatmeal, brown sugar & butter. Bake or microwave. Baked gets more crunch. No specific recipe,.depends on how big a crowd. Cook until apples are.done. You can also make microwave peanut brittle. Takes.10 min & tastes like the stove type.
Click to expand...

Just have to make sure and get gluten free oats. Most oats are processed on the same lines as wheat, and are full of gluten. Bob's Red Mill has GF oats - that's what I buy.
 
wadesgirl said:
Oohh... chocolate chip sensation was one I was going to make because my sister's family loves it so much. Does it bake up the same?
Click to expand...

According to my son the cookies are "just like real cookies". :)

(sorry - just now seeing the post!) Hope you were able to make something yummy!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #10
ChefBeckyD said:
According to my son the cookies are "just like real cookies". :)

(sorry - just now seeing the post!) Hope you were able to make something yummy!
Click to expand...

Everybody really enjoyed it and those who love the original couldn't tell a difference. I bought the Betty Crocker cookie mix and it only made enough to fit the medium bar pan. It was still good though!
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some easy gluten-free dessert options for Thanksgiving?

Some easy gluten-free dessert options include flourless chocolate cake, gluten-free pumpkin pie, and almond flour cookies. These desserts are not only delicious but also simple to prepare, making them perfect for Thanksgiving gatherings.

Can I use regular recipes for Thanksgiving desserts if I substitute gluten-free flour?

While you can substitute gluten-free flour in many recipes, it's important to use a blend specifically designed for baking, as it often contains xanthan gum or other binding agents. However, some recipes, like those for meringues or certain cakes, may not require any substitutions and can be naturally gluten-free.

What are some tips for ensuring my Thanksgiving desserts are truly gluten-free?

To ensure your desserts are gluten-free, always check labels on all ingredients, including baking powder and vanilla extract, as they can sometimes contain gluten. Additionally, use separate utensils and baking pans to avoid cross-contamination with gluten-containing foods.

Are there any gluten-free Thanksgiving dessert recipes that are also dairy-free?

Yes, there are several gluten-free and dairy-free dessert recipes, such as coconut milk pumpkin pie or vegan chocolate mousse made with avocado. These options can cater to multiple dietary restrictions while still being festive and delicious.

How can I make gluten-free desserts more appealing for Thanksgiving?

You can make gluten-free desserts more appealing by adding festive decorations, such as whipped coconut cream, fresh fruit, or gluten-free chocolate shavings. Presentation matters, so consider using decorative serving dishes or garnishing with seasonal spices like cinnamon or nutmeg.

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