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As someone who loves gluten in theory but can’t seem to digest it in practice, the holidays can be a daunting time. There’s the cookie swap with friends, the office pizza party, the Hanukkah latke extravaganza, and too many family brunches. Gluten is everywhere at these functions, and it can be annoying to constantly dodge it. This year treat the people in your life who live a gluten-free lifestyle to these gifts, because they also deserve to bake a chocolate cake or have an at-home dim sum brunch. Read on to discover 15 gluten-free gifts perfect for your friend with celiac, your cousin with a gluten intolerance, and everyone in between.
A Kit That Makes Bakery-Worthy Cakes
You might raise an eyebrow at a cake mix that costs $20 more than your go-to grocery variety, but this Flourless Dark Chocolate Gold Leaf Cake Kit (which, yes, comes with a sheet of 24k edible gold leaf) from The Caker promises to be the most decadent fudge-like chocolate cake you have tasted. Get this for the friend who likes to cosplay as a very good baker and who doesn’t like to skimp on the decadence.
This At-Home Dim Sum Feast
I’ve been going out for dim sum at Nom Wah, which opened in 1920 in New York’s Chinatown, since before I could walk or talk. So imagine my excitement when I found out that it is making Gluten-Free Chicken and Cabbage Dumplings, which can be shipped all over the country. Add on a sauce or two (I love the black vinegar ginger and chili sauces) and send some dumplings to your favorite dim sum buddy.
A Box Of Hot Little Biscuits
There are few things better in this life than a steaming hot biscuit straight out of the oven laden with honey butter. Thanks to Charleston institution Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit, you can experience this same joy even without the gluten (and without having to get on a plane to Charleston). Send this eight-pack of biscuits, which comes frozen and ready to warm up in the oven as soon as a craving hits, to your gluten-free friend you love most.
A Collection Of Best-Selling Mochi Ice Cream
I’ve written before about my love for Mochidoki, a New York–based mochi ice cream company with an ingredient-driven ethos that gives way to flavors like jasmine boba and purple sweet potato. Perhaps one of mochi’s most redeeming qualities is that it’s naturally gluten-free, which means the frozen treats lover in your life can indulge in any of the flavors (there are dairy-free options too!) carefree.
A Pack Of Cult-Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies
Nothing says decadence like a chunky, warm Levain cookie. Fortunately for your vegan and gluten-free friends, Levain has released their signature chocolate chip walnut cookie baked with a vegan cashew butter, gluten-free flour, and vegan chocolate but with all the same deliciousness. Do yourself a favor and while you’re ordering a pack for a loved one, get one for yourself too.
Some Healthy-ish Sweet Treats To Stash In Their Bag
Dalci is perfect for the person in your life who needs to have a sweet treat after every meal, but is also always on the go. Their individually packaged brownies and blondies use almond flour, coconut sugar, and avocado oil to create a confection that’s special enough for a weekend night at home and that’s convenient enough to pop in your work bag for a midday pick-me-up. With this variety pack, your dessert cravings will be set for life (or at least a few weeks).
A Few Boxes Of Giftable Granola
Give this Sweet Deliverance gift box trio to your friend who, like me, is fanatical about granola. This Hudson Valley–based brand boasts seed-heavy, fragrant flavors like sour cherry and pistachio rose that are free of gluten and refined sugar. Bonus points for the packaging, which will make you want to keep the tins out even after breakfast is complete.
A Museum-Worthy Chocolate Box
You know what they say—life is a box of gluten-free chocolates. And it might as well be this stunning one from Compartés that makes the perfect gift for your friend who doesn’t go a day without chocolate. Take my advice and order one for yourself too. It’ll be the chicest thing you eat all holiday season (or year).
The Best Cookbook For Gluten-Free Baking
Get this cookbook for the person in your life who aspires to turn their kitchen into a high-end bakery. This book from author Aran Goyoaga goes beyond the basics with recipes like a chocolate hazelnut torte and lemon meringue tartlets. You might want to plan a visit to the home of this book’s recipient so you can sample treats that will have you convinced you underestimated the potential of gluten-free baking.
A Few At-Home Movie Night Essentials
Know someone who seeks comfort in housing an entire bag of popcorn while watching TV at night? Change their life and buy them Tochi Snacks’ Black Sesame Popcorn. The perfectly round, fluffy kernels are coated in a nutty, sweet flavoring. This is the kind of snack worth gifting and the one you’ll keep in the back of the cupboard for special occasion streaming (i.e., premieres, finales, new episodes of a show released just once a week).
For those who like to work for their snacking pleasure, get them this Popsmith Starter Bundle, which includes its stainless-steel stovetop popper and 10 popcorn-making kits from Oh Sooo Buttery to Classic Kettle. An added bonus is how cute it looks both on and off the stovetop with color options from Butter to Poppy to Cream.
A Gluten-Free Pizza Shipped Straight From Italy
Your gluten-free friends and family should not have to miss out on a pizza party. Talia Di Napoli’s Gluten Free Margherita uses its traditional pomodoro sauce, Fior di Latte mozzarella, Parmesan, and basil on a proprietary crust that combines three gluten-free bases. It only takes 10 minutes in the oven and no plane ride to have a slice of Naples right in your kitchen.
Some Grain-Free Crackers For Impromptu Cheese Boards
A proper pantry should have crackers on hand at all times—who knows when you’ll have to assemble a cheese board at the drop of a hat or need something crunchy to dunk into your go-to nut butter? Whether you’re gluten-free or not, these buckwheat crackers from Maine Crisps are just the right amount of nutty and savory and boast flavors like olive and za’atar and savory fig and thyme (my personal favorite). They’re the perfect gift for the snacker in your life who likes to keep things interesting and won’t settle for just any cracker.
These Gluten-Free Baking Mixes Made With Real Ingredients
These Stellar Eats baking mixes pretty much fit every dietary restriction—they’re paleo-friendly, gluten-free, low-sugar, and plant-based. They’re also delicious and super easy to make with only a few add-ins and options for substitution. BA’s commerce editor Carina Finn, who is decidedly not gluten-free, said she loves to bake with them for quick, healthyish breakfasts.
Everything They Need to Get Really Into Masa
Another great gift for your project-seeking friend who longs to become an expert at making tortillas at home. This Masienda starter kit includes both blue and white corn masa harina (nixtamalized corn flour that is naturally gluten-free) and a tortilla press in your color of choice. Once they’ve mastered the tortillas, it’s time to take it to the next level with the tantalizing recipes in Masienda founder Jorge Gaviria’s new cookbook. They’ll never have to leave home next time a craving strikes for a tostada, flauta, or quesadilla.
