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A dozen gluten-free desserts that are perfect for entertaining

Serve up something unexpected with these decadent recipes that are sure to impress everyone.

Serve up something unexpected with these decadent recipes that are sure to impress everyone

CBC Life ·
left: a light yellow pudding in a glass coupe. right: a brown butternut squash pie topped with whipped cream
(Photo, left: Reena Newman; right: Rachel Conners)

If your trusty pan of gluten-free brownies is starting to feel a little boring, we've got a dozen irresistible recipes that will wow your guests. These desserts are an impressive finale to any dinner party and will put an end to any gluten-free cynicism once and for all.

Our roundup includes everything from decadent cakes and rich, creamy puddings to light, airy pavlovas. You'll also spot some seasonally perfect picks, like Rachel Conners's butternut squash pie with oat crust and Dhivya Subramanian's saffron-chai poached pears cooked in a medley of warming spices. Whether you're hosting a family dinner, celebrating with friends or simply craving something sweet, these gluten-free delights are sure to satisfy. 

Saffron-Chai Poached Pears

Overhead shot of a white serving plate with poached pears on it sitting on a purple table. 2 smaller plates with a pear on each sit on the left.
(Photography by Dhivya Subramanian)

Flourless Lemon Ricotta Cake with Almonds

Overhead shot of a cake topped with almond slices and drizzled with white icing. It's sitting on a white marble cutting board on a white table. 2 slices are cut from the cake and one slice is sitting on a white plate next to it.
(Photography by Michael Gozum)

Flourless Coconut and Chocolate Cake

2 small cakes on a cooling rack, drizzled with chocolate ganache
(Photography by Peden + Munk)

Butternut Squash Pie with Oat Crust

Overhead shot of a pie sitting on a wooden cutting board on a white surface. The pie is topped with whipped cream. A slice of it is on a white plate in the bottom right corner.
(Photography by Rachel Conners)

Raspberry Mousse

Closeup on a small glass bowl of pink mousse topped with a raspberry.
(Photography by Henry M. Wu)

Decadent Shrikhand

A footed glass bowl with a yogurt dessert in it. It's on a blue and white plate with a gold spoon next to it, and sitting on top of a table with a patterned tablecloth.
(Photography by Reena Newman)

Blackberry Goat Cheese Blancmange

white pudding in a glass coupe with berry compote on top
(Giselle Courteau)

Hazelnut Espresso Millionaire Bars

7 Hazelnut Espresso Millionaire Bars sitting on a grey countertop.
(Photography by Michael Gozum)

Vanilla Bean Crème Brulée

A Crème Brulée in a white baking dish on a marble surface. The Crème Brulée is topped with raspberries and blueberries.

Mini Pavlovas

Overhead shot of mini pavlovas topped with lemon curd and fresh berries on blue dessert plates. A bowl of berries, pavlovas on a cooling rack and a bowl of the lemon curd sit next to the plates.

Chocolate Mascarpone Pudding  

An overhead shot of a tray with small dishes of chocolate pudding, whipped cream, and chocolate pieces.
(Photo credit: Jackson Roy)

Flaky Berry Pie Squares 

Overhead shot of 2 rectangular pastry tarts on a marble surface. They're topped with pink icing. Strawberries, blueberries and raspberries sit on the left side of the image, along with a small white jar of berry jam.
(Photography by Rachel Conners)

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