Ever since I have taken the gluten-free route, I’ve been feeling a lot better. I do not have celiac disease, but have a sensitivity that causes frequent stomach aches and pains, along with bloating if I eat something containing gluten. Since I’ve removed it from the mix, those all have diminished and I feel more energized (although I still go for my 3 pm pick-me-up coffee).
I had a hard time finding desserts that did not contain gluten. After dinner I usually like to have something sweet, especially if we’re out at a restaurant and have just finished a delicious meal – or heck, celebrating a birthday! After doing a bit of research, I’ve come to realize that you can find desserts that are both delicious and gluten-free.
Here’s a list of my top 5 dessert places that carry gluten-free sweets.
Le Macaron
A few of these bakeries have popped up in my local area and I couldn’t be happier! All natural ingredients and gluten-free make this a favorite stop after dinner with friends and family. Check their website to see if there’s a location near you!
My all time favorite macaron bakery is Laduree and I don’t think any place can touch their fluffy masterpieces but Le Macaron is pretty darn close!
A photo posted by @pelleriniproclaims on
Ice Cream
Believe it or not, there are some ice cream flavors that contain gluten. It’s imperative to look at the ingredients to make sure that there’s no trace of wheat, flour, barley, oats, rye or malt. Breyer’s Ice Cream, for example, in 2014 labeled 36 of its brands as gluten-free – one of them being my favorite – chocolate! Carvel, a favorite spot for us to visit on Wednesday nights after soccer practice, offers gluten-free ice cream. The tricky part is when you introduce toppings. I keep it safe by ordering my ice cream as-is.
Joey’s Gluten-Free Desserts
This local bakery is the only one of its kind in my area that sells gluten-free baked goods from bread, cupcakes, biscotti, rosemary flatbread, muffins, and cookies. A friend brought a variety of the pastries to a holiday dinner and I was eternally grateful! They ship throughout the United States too!
Two great resources to find a gluten-free bakery in your area are Yelp and Find Me Gluten-Free.
P.F. Changs
A favorite place for my family to eat, P.F. Changs offers a great selection of gluten-free meals, including my all-time favorite shrimp with lobster sauce, along with mongolian beef and fried rice. The piece de resistance is their flourless chocolate dome. Heaven in a thick chocolate pastry with chocolate syrup dribble and fresh raspberries. No one that has tasted it knows that it is gluten-free, which I love!
PopBar
Ever since my husband and I honeymooned in Italy, we have acquired a love for gelato. When I was told that a place that made gelato on a stick was opening in my area, I couldn’t wait to see what it was all about. The grand opening was this past weekend, so I paid a visit to my new all-time favorite dessert place!
All of PopBar’s gelato on a stick creations are gluten-free. They are made daily, on premises with all natural ingredients. Aside from gelato, they also offer sorbet and yogurt.
First, you pick your flavor. I chose chocolate – I know, very creative. Next, pick from a variety of healthy toppings – my options included coconut, almonds, pistachio, chocolate sprinkles and more.
Finally, choose from dark, milk, white or mint chocolate – full dip or half dip.
Let the pop sit for about 15 seconds to allow the chocolate to harden and then it’s all yours!
PopBar’s chocolate has now been dubbed my most favorite chocolate ever. My husband and kids caught up with me and tried the pops out for themselves and gave them two thumbs up – and my boys are picky (all three of them!).
What is your favorite dessert? I’d love to hear!
Susan says
I love fruit cobbler with vanilla ice cream. Any kind of fruit
Dana says
Fruit is definitely gluten-free Mama!
Brittany says
Those popbars look delicious!
Dana says
They are so delicious Brittany!
Liz @ The Clean Eating Couple says
YUM! I want them all and I’m not even gluten free! Love that there are so many options for people that are though. 🙂
Dana says
They are yummy and I am so glad there are some options – although I could eat chocolate ice cream everyday 😉
Tiffany Khyla says
All of this looks so delicious! I also had no idea there were some ice-creams that contained gluten. I’ve been trying (and failing) to be more aware of the foods that I eat. All of the photos from PopBar look so good! What a unique and fun way to do dessert, and the fact that it’s gluten-free makes it even better.
Dana says
I know Tiffany – I was surprised myself! Any ice cream that has cookies or trace of wheat flour would be considered gluten. Thankfully my absolutely favorite – chocolate – is gluten-free. YAY! 🙂
Trisha says
First off I love your new profile image for your blog. Super adorable dana. Secondly, I LOVE ice cream and it gives me such a great pleasure in knowing most of it is gluten free.
Dana says
Thank you Trisha!! I am so glad you are blogging again – I love reading your posts! Yes, and I too love that most ice cream is gluten free…my waist not so much LOL
Greta says
These goodies are making me hungry! So yummy!
Greta | http://www.gretahollar.com
Dana says
Greta, every time I respond to a comment, I get a craving for a macaron…it’s terrible and great at the same time LOL!
GiGi Eats says
Teasing me SO EARLY IN THE MORNING is just plain mean! LOL!
Dana says
Awww, sorry GIGI! LOLOLOL – I love your blog BTW 🙂
Chelsea says
Macarons and ice cream are always a winner! I’ve been dying to try Popbar as well, trying to find something similar in my area.
Dana says
I completely agree with you Chelsea 🙂 I found something similar to Popbar when I went to a Food Truck event in my area. I wonder if there is one like that by you?
Emma says
My blogging bestie is gluten free so this is the perfect post for me! Thank you for sharing!
Dana says
Emma, my pleasure! I hope this helps her find some yummy dessert options!!
Ri says
I have just on the path of gluten free lifestyle and these desserts at perfect for me..Love these options available that doesn’t let you give up on taste and delicious food. PF Chang is my fav too…now i need to try popbar.
Dana says
I love PF Changs too and their gluten-free food tastes exactly the same as the conventional!
Laura says
yummmm!
My go to gluten free dessert is homemade cobbler but these are some great suggestions (especially the macarons.. which are my weakness)
I also don’t have celiac, and don’t eat gluten free as a rule, but my mild IBS and gluten aren’t the best of friends… I just refuse to give up proper pizza 😉
Dana says
Homemade cobbler sounds awesome! Pizza is my weakness as well, but we have this restaurant Mellow Mushroom that has a pretty good gluten-free pizza. Of course it’s twice the price of the regular lol 😉