27 Reader-Favorite Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Desserts to Try

I’m sharing 27 of my favorite gluten-free and dairy-free desserts. Below you’ll find everything from cookies and brownies to ice cream sandwiches, cakes, and more. Every recipe listed has earned at least a 4.5-star review, proving that allergy-friendly desserts can be moist, flavorful, and entirely satisfying—no cardboard or blandness required.

Living with food allergies can be challenging, but giving up enjoyable desserts doesn’t have to be part of the bargain. I developed these gluten-free and dairy-free recipes to show that classic favorites—comfort desserts and baking therapy included—can be recreated with great texture and flavor. Read on to discover crowd-pleasing cakes, cookies, bars, no-bake treats, and more that work for allergen-free diets while still tasting indulgent.

Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Cakes and Cupcakes

Gluten-Free German Chocolate Cake

This version delivers a rich, chocolaty crumb topped with a sweet coconut frosting. It captures the flavor of the classic German chocolate cake without gluten or dairy, so everyone can enjoy it.

Vegan Apple Cake

A caramel apple upside-down cake with dairy-free salted caramel and tender cake. The contrast of soft apples and sweet caramel makes this a standout gluten-free and dairy-free dessert.

Gluten-Free Lemon Poppy Seed Cake

If you enjoy lemon poppyseed muffins, this cake will delight you. It’s bright, tender, and perfectly balanced—ideal with tea or coffee.

Gluten-Free Tres Leches Cake

This tres leches uses gluten-free flour and dairy-free sweetened condensed and evaporated milk alternatives so the texture is soaked and luscious while remaining 100% dairy-free and gluten-free.

Carrot Cake with Brigadeiro Frosting

Roasted carrots combine with a silky brigadeiro frosting for a unique carrot cake that’s perfect for brunches, holidays, or when you need a show-stopping, allergen-friendly dessert.

Dairy-Free Vanilla Cupcakes

Fluffy, light cupcakes topped with a smooth, creamy dairy-free frosting. These are quick to make with pantry staples and perfect for celebrations or everyday indulgence.

Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Cookies

Dairy-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chewy and rich, these dairy-free chocolate chip cookies are buttery in texture and full of chocolate—so good that even guests who eat dairy won’t know the difference.

Lemon Curd Cookies

Vegan lemon thumbprint cookies pair a tender shortcrust with silky, 100% vegan lemon curd—bright, buttery-tasting, and full of sunshine.

Vegan Coconut Macaroons

These chewy, sweet, and nutty macaroons use just three ingredients. They’re simple to make and always a hit at potlucks and gatherings.

Gluten-Free Stuffed Marshmallow Cookies

Ultra-chocolatey cookies made with black cocoa and stuffed with marshmallows. These bring big flavor and a fun ooey-gooey center while remaining gluten-free and dairy-free.

Chocolate Chip Chickpea Cookies

Made with chickpeas and minimal processed sugar, these cookies are gooey and chocolatey while offering extra fiber and plant-based protein—an unexpected crowd-pleaser for picky eaters and kids.

Easter Egg Cookies

Soft, beautifully decorated sugar cookies that are vegan and gluten-free—perfect for seasonal celebrations without dairy or wheat.

Gluten-Free Thumbprint Cookies

These thumbprint cookies use leftover cranberry sauce for a bright, holiday-ready filling. They’re a simple and festive gluten-free, dairy-free option year-round.

Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Brownies and Bars

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

One-bowl peanut butter oatmeal bars that satisfy chocolate and peanut butter cravings while staying wholesome and simple to prepare with pantry staples.

Dairy-Free Fudge

Rich, creamy, and quick to make, this dairy-free fudge is vegan, naturally gluten-free, and ready in minutes with just a few ingredients.

Gluten-Free Brownies

Fudgy, gooey brownies that reproduce the classic brownie experience without gluten or dairy—perfect for brownie lovers who need allergen-friendly options.

Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Fruit Desserts

Gluten-Free Rhubarb Crisp

Early spring rhubarb meets a tender, crumbly streusel made without dairy. This sweet-tart crisp is classic comfort food with an allergen-free twist.

Vegan Coconut Cream Pie

A silky coconut filling with light dairy-free whipped topping makes this pie a standout for plant-based and gluten-free dessert lovers alike.

Vegan Lemon Curd

Tart, bright, and glossy, this vegan lemon curd works as a spread, topping, or spoonable treat—no dairy or eggs needed to deliver authentic flavor.

Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free No-Bake Recipes

Dairy-Free Buttercream Frosting

This dairy-free buttercream is smooth and light with clean vanilla flavor—an excellent topping for allergen-free cakes and cupcakes.

Vegan Edible Cookie Dough

Ready in minutes, this edible cookie dough is vegan and gluten-free and satisfies last-minute sweet cravings without heat-treating flour.

Vegan Rice Pudding

A nostalgic bowl of rice pudding made with non-dairy milk. Comforting and fully vegan, it tastes like the classic you remember.

Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Donuts, Breads, Muffins, and More

Vegan Donuts

Tender baked vegan donuts with simple glazes—easy to make, versatile, and perfect for breakfast or dessert.

Dairy-Free Leche Flan

A dairy-free take on leche flan coated in a coconut caramel—naturally gluten-free and rich in flavor, this is a beloved family-style dessert.

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread

Moist, spiced pumpkin bread that’s perfectly tender—double the batch to keep one loaf and gift another.

Cranberry Orange Muffins

Zesty orange zest pairs with tart cranberries in these light, sweet muffins. Ideal for holidays or a weekend bake.

Gluten-Free Ice Cream Sandwiches

Dairy-free ice cream between gluten-free biscuits creates a refreshing, allergy-friendly summer treat everyone can enjoy.

I hope this collection helps you find your next favorite gluten-free and dairy-free dessert. These recipes are designed to be easy to prepare, impressive to serve, and delicious enough that friends and family who eat gluten and dairy won’t miss the original ingredients. Enjoy exploring these treats and happy baking!

More Gluten-Free Desserts (with Dairy-Free Variations)

More Dairy-Free Desserts (with Gluten-Free Variations)