Cool off with these gluten-free summer desserts. Whether you're craving a big bowl of creamy ice cream or a light and fluffy cupcake, these recipes are here to satisfy your sweet tooth.
32 Gluten-Free Desserts We’re Making All Summer Long
Semisweet Chocolate Mousse
A friend shared this rich velvety chocolate mousse recipe with me. I love to cook and have tons of recipes, but this one is a favorite. Best of all, it’s easy to make. —Judy Spencer, San Diego, California
1/32
2/32
Grilled Stone Fruits with Balsamic Syrup
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Get ready to experience another side of stone fruits. Hot off the rack, these grilled nectarines practically melt in your mouth. —Sonya Labbe, West Hollywood, California
3/32
Gluten-Free Vanilla Cupcakes
Total Time
35 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Decorate these simple gluten-free vanilla cupcakes for any special occasion or holiday. Since the frosting recipe includes cream cheese, be sure to refrigerate leftovers. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
4/32
Strawberry Citrus Ice
Total Time
15 min
Servings
about 3-1/2 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
Daiquiri fans, put away your straws for this blend of strawberries, lime juice and orange juice in a refreshing ice. — Robin M. Keane, Framingham, Massachusetts
5/32
Watermelon Bombe Dessert
Total Time
20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When cut, this sherbet dessert looks like watermelon slices—complete with seeds. It is refreshing and fun to eat. —Renae Moncur, Burley, Idaho
6/32
Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Blondies
Total Time
35 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I converted these blondies to be gluten free so that my family could enjoy a comforting dessert. We were craving brownies one night, and these cakelike treats hit the spot. They are a fantastic spin on gluten-free peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. —Becky Klope, Loudonville, New York
7/32
Watermelon Sorbet
Total Time
35 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
No ice cream maker is needed to make this easy, 3-ingredient watermelon sorbet recipe. We couldn't keep enough watermelon in the house to keep up with the demand! —Kory Figura, Waverly, Iowa
8/32
Mango Glace with Pineapple Pomegranate Salsa
Total Time
45 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I'd like to say this dish was a brilliant idea that came from expert planning. But the truth is that between the quickly ripening fruit on my counter and the 100-degree heat, it pretty much invented itself! Very ripe fruit eliminates the need for added sugar. —Jodi Taffel, Altadena, California
9/32
Trail Mix Clusters
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These delicious snacks make wonderful gifts, and although they look and taste like they came from an expensive chocolate shop, they couldn't be more guilt-free. The dried fruit and nuts are heart-healthy and full of fiber. Bet you can't eat just one! —Alina Niemi, Honolulu, Hawaii
10/32
Cinnamon-Basil Ice Cream
Total Time
45 min
Servings
2 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
I started experimenting with herbal ice creams when I was teaching classes at our local college. Not only were the ice creams popular with my students, but my family loved them as well! One of our favorites is made with a variety of basil called cinnamon basil; however, unless you grow the variety yourself, it can be rather difficult to find. I decided to try to re-create the flavor, and this delicious basil ice cream recipe is the result! —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
11/32
Peanut Butter Whipped Cream Frosting
Total Time
10 min
Servings
2 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
A luscious peanut butter whipped cream frosting is just a few ingredients away. Try it piped over your favorite chocolate cupcakes or dolloped onto hot chocolate. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
12/32
London Fog Ice Cream
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
5 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
I took one of my favorite coffee shop beverages and turned it into this elegant London fog ice cream. For a star dessert, serve it with lemon sandwich cookies or in a simple glass rimmed with sugar, lavender and lemon zest. —Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota
13/32
Lemon Creme Brulee
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
5 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
After being disappointed in this recipe the first time I tried it, I experimented. When I felt it was fit for competition, the judge was impressed, too—I won a blue ribbon and an Award of Excellence. —Sara Scheler, Pewaukee, Wisconsin. Looking for more? Here are a few tips for baking a gluten-free lemon cake.
14/32
Blueberry Cream Pops
Total Time
15 min
Servings
8 pops
From the Recipe Creator:
Blueberry-and-cream pops are such a fun after-school snack. Make them in the morning so the pops are ready to go when the kids come in the door. —Cindy Reams, Philipsburg, Pennsylvania
15/32
Ginger-Glazed Grilled Honeydew
Total Time
25 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
If you've never grilled fruit like this before, you're in for a real treat! I love the idea of cooking everything from appetizers to desserts on the grill. This grilled honeydew recipe is sweet and really light. —Jacqui Correa, Landing, New Jersey
16/32
Gluten-Free Almond Crispies
Total Time
30 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Here’s a wonderful treat everyone in the family can enjoy. Ideal with milk or tea, these cookies have cinnamon and maple in every crunchy bite. —Jean Ecos, Hartland, Wisconsin
17/32
Tangerine Chocolate Semifreddo
Total Time
35 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When I wanted a new frozen treat for my family, I came up with this citrusy, chocolaty version of classic Italian semifreddo. For an elegant presentation on special occasions, top each serving with whipped cream, a tangerine section and baking cocoa. —Claire Cruce, Atlanta, Georgia
18/32
Lemon-Apricot Fruit Pops
Total Time
15 min
Servings
6 pops
From the Recipe Creator:
With just 31 calories, 4 teaspoons of sugar total and lots of vitamin C, this is one light and refreshing summer dessert everyone can find room for! —Aysha Schurman, Ammon, Idaho
19/32
Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe
Total Time
25 min
Servings
1-1/4 quarts
From the Recipe Creator:
We don't want to brag, but as far as vanilla ice cream recipes go, this one is the best. And with only four ingredients, it just might be the easiest, too. No ice cream maker? No problem. Just follow the directions below to learn how to make homemade ice cream by hand. It's the perfect base for our best ice cream sundae ideas, too. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
20/32
Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cookies
Total Time
30 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
When my mother (who's now a great-grandmother) gave me this recipe for no-flour peanut butter cookies about 15 years ago, I was skeptical, because it calls for only three ingredients (and no flour). But since then I've never had a failure, and I make them all the time! —Maggie Schimmel, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
21/32
Rosemary Citrus Sorbet
Total Time
10 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This pretty pastel dessert bursts with the fresh flavors of grapefruit, lime and rosemary. —Rebecca Baird, Salt Lake City, Utah
22/32
Strawberry Banana Popsicles
Total Time
10 min
Servings
12 pops
From the Recipe Creator:
These four-ingredient freezer pops are a delicious way to use up a pint of fresh strawberries. You'll love the hint of tropical flavor, thanks to the coconut milk. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
23/32
Grape and Berry Crumble
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My daughter follows a restricted diet and told me that I nailed it with this dairy-free berry crumble recipe. I combined grapes from my garden with blueberries and strawberries, and used gluten-free flour and coconut oil. We had eaten nearly the whole pan when I realized I'd better write down the recipe. —Kallee Krong-McCreery, Escondido, California
24/32
Raspberry Sorbet for Two
Total Time
5 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
You won't believe that you made this refreshing, fruity sorbet yourself! This healthy freezer fare will satisfy even your sweetest tooth.
25/32
Chocolate-Avocado Mousse
Total Time
5 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I have rheumatoid arthritis, and I follow a special diet to help manage the symptoms. This avocado mousse is simple to make and tastes heavenly. The avocados can help reduce inflammation. —Kelly Kirby, Mill Bay, Nova Scotia
26/32
Cantaloupe A La Mode
Total Time
15 min
Servings
4 servings (1 cup sauce)
From the Recipe Creator:
This special dessert is a refreshing finale to a warm-weather meal. —Nancy Walker, Granite City, Illinois
27/32
Lavender Peach Gelato
Total Time
40 min
Servings
3 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
This sophisticated herbal gelato can be served as an appetizer, a palate-pleaser between courses or a sweet, elegant dessert that tastes like heaven on a spoon. —Christine Wendland, Browns Mills, New Jersey
28/32
Frosty Watermelon Ice
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Here's a fun twist on watermelon. It's so refreshing on a summer day, and you don't have to worry about seeds while you're enjoying it. —Kaaren Jurack, Manassas, Virginia
29/32
Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake Cookies
Total Time
40 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I can’t consume gluten, so I’ve transformed my favorite recipes to fit my diet. I came up with these cakelike cookies, and no one ever guesses they’re gluten free. —Becki DiMercurio, Martinez, California
30/32
Berries with Vanilla Custard
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
What a simple, delectable way to enjoy fresh raspberries. For a change, also try the custard with strawberries or peaches. —Sarah C. Vasques, Milford, New Hampshire
31/32
Nut Butter Cups
Total Time
20 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My indulgent, nutty treat is simple to make and looks fabulous. At our house, we use all-natural ingredients for them. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
32/32
Cheesecake-Stuffed Strawberries
Total Time
20 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These luscious cheesecake-stuffed strawberries are the perfect bite-sized dessert. —Stephen Munro, Beaver Bank, Nova Scotia