Gluten-Free Holiday Appetizers and Desserts

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Photo: Melina Hammer; Styling: Vanessa Rocchio

Coconut, Macadamia, and Chocolate Bark

Coconut, Macadamia, and Chocolate Bark Recipe
Bittersweet chocolate morsels and creamy white chocolate morsels combine with crunchy dry roasted hazelnuts and toasted coconut for an incredibly easy and fast gluten-free candy the whole crowd will love.

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Photo: Alex Farnum

Chocolate Orange Cookie Cups

Chocolate Orange Cookie Cups Recipe
These flourless cookie bites from Sunset reader Jennifer Loganathan, of Colden, NY, are a delicious cross between a brownie and a soft cookie—the orange zest adds a bit of contrast.

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Photo: Romulo Yanes; Styling: Paige Hicks

Almond Brittle

Almond Brittle
Recipe
No flour is needed here; sweet corn syrup is the glue that holds this delicious holiday candy together. Pack in smoked almonds, pecans walnuts or peanuts for an extra salty crunch.

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Photo: Kate Sears; Styling: Gerri Williams

Mocha Truffle Cake

Mocha Truffle Cake Recipe
This flourless cake’s prep is so easy, making it perfect during those busy holiday months. Its bold chocolate flavor is so satisfying that it’s unlikely you’ll be able to think about seconds.

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Photo: John Kernick; Stylist: Alistar Turnbull/Pat Bates and Associates

Baked Brie with Honey

Baked Brie with Honey
Recipe
A drizzle of honey adds a bit of sweetness to savory Brie. Pair this Baked Brie with Honey appetizer with grapes, dried figs, or apple slices.

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Photo: Kate Sears; Styling: Elizabeth Blake

Bourbon Caramel Sauce

Bourbon Caramel Sauce Recipe
A big splash of whiskey flavors Bourbon Caramel Sauce to create one decadent topping for your favorite ice cream.

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Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Lindsey Ellis Beatty

Perfect Poached Shrimp

Perfect Poached Shrimp
Recipe
Shrimp is always a popular appetizer item, and it also happens to be a great low-fat and gluten-free offering, particularly when it’s poached. You can make this recipe a day ahead and keep chilled in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve.

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Photo: Kiyoshi Togashi; Styling: Sarah Smart

Chocolate-Almond Toffee

Chocolate-Almond Toffee Recipe
Buttery toffee is topped with chopped whole almonds to add extra crunch in this gluten-free dessert. If you use other nuts, toast them first.

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Photo: Levi Brown; Styling: Tiziana Agnello

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Photo: Levi Brown; Styling: Tiziana Agnello

Cranberry-Whiskey Sour Slush

Cranberry-Whiskey Sour Slush Recipe
Is it a drink or dessert? Who cares? It satisfies both cravings. This garnet-colored slush has all the qualities of a delicious cocktail–a not-too-sweet combination of high-quality liquor and fruity tang.

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Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Styling: Gerri Williams

Spiced Applesauce

Spiced Applesauce Recipe
A heavy meal sometimes needs a light dessert. AT 87 calories per serving, this homemade applesauce satisfies your sweet tooth without setting you over the edge at holiday meals.

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Photo: Thomas J. Story; Styling: Dan Becker

Sausage Mushroom Caps

Sausage Mushroom Caps
Recipe
These sausage-stuffed mushrooms are the perfect 1-bite party food and are always a crowd pleaser. Use spicy sausage for more kick.

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Photo: Sang An

Classic Pavlova

Classic Pavlova Recipe
Pavlova, a golden pink-hued dome of meringue topped with whipped cream and juicy ripe fruit, is a seriously underappreciated dessert

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Photo: Peden & Munk; Styling: Amy Wilson

Coffee Sundaes with Salted Peanut Butter Caramel

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Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Marian Cooper Cairns

Cream Cheese-and-Olive Pecan Bites

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Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

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Salmon and Cucumber Bites

Salmon and Cucumber Bites
Recipe
Dramatically cut the calories out of this simple canape by subbing crisp cucumber slices for bread. The freshness of the cucumbers pairs well with the smoked salmon and creamy topping.

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Photo: Ryan Benyi; Styling: Gerri Williams

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Ham and Cheddar Potato Skins

Ham and Cheddar Potato Skins
Recipe
This traditionally high-fat appetizer got a makeover using reduced-fat sour cream, a reduced amount of cheese, and smaller potatoes to keep these bites portion-controlled.

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Photo: William Brinson

Brazilian Pecan-Cinnamon Truffles

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Photo: Nigel Cox; Styling: Tiziana Agnello

Baked Chocolate Mousse

Baked Chocolate Mousse Recipe
Serve this creamy decadent Baked chocolate mousse this holiday season for a no-fail treat the entire family will love. The texture is so incredibly light and fluffy, that it just melts in your mouth.

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Photo: Jim Franco; Styling: Leslie Siegel

Warm Lemon-Rosemary Olives

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Oxmoor House

Chocolate Pots de Crème

Chocolate Pots de Crème Recipe
This no-fuss dessert requires less than 15 minutes of prep time, and the finished product is sure to draw oohs and aahs from guests of all ages.

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Photo: Aran Goyoaga

Savory Gluten-Free Tart Crust

Savory Gluten-Free Tart Crust Recipe
Look no further for a perfectly portioned out gluten-free crust recipe. Filled with savory or sweet fillings, this crust is sure to satisfy with any holiday recipe.

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Photo: Nigel Cox; Styling: Tiziana Agnello

Warm Mocha Pudding

Warm Mocha Pudding
Recipe
If you’ve never tried a warm pudding, this is the one to try. The flavors are more up front when the pudding is warm.

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Photo: Howard L. Puckett; Styling: Lydia Degaris-Pursell

Smoked Salmon and Cheese Mini Twice-Baked Potatoes

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Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Linda Hirst

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Photo: Nigel Cox; Styling: Tiziana Agnello

Greek Yogurt with Warm Berry Sauce

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Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Buffy Hargett

Prosciutto-Wrapped Mango Bites

Prosciutto-Wrapped Mango Bites Recipe
Ask for paper-thin slices of meat at the deli counter. To ease prep, look for a package of presliced mango in the produce section. We do not recommend jarred mango slices—they’re too soft.

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Photo: Johnny Miller; Styling: Sarah Smart

Brie with Jeweled Fruit Compote

Brie with Jeweled Fruit Compote
Recipe
This lovely appetizer is about as quick and easy as it gets–as tasty, too. You don’t even need to let the cheese come to room temperature first; the warm fruit that goes on top will soften it up. Serve with crostini or crackers.

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James Carrier

Spicy Herb Roasted Nuts

Spicy Herb Roasted Nuts Recipe
This roasted nut recipe is perfect for the holidays as it features herbs traditionally used at Thanksgiving and Christmas, such as sage, thyme, and savory.

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Photo: Antonis Achilleos

Stuffed Baby Potatoes

Stuffed Baby Potatoes Recipe
Stuffed Baby Potatoes pack plenty of favor in bite-size portions.These savory appetizers also present a touch of elegance to your party table. If you don’t have chives on hand, minced scallions will do the trick.

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Photo: Iain Bagwell

Bittersweet Fudge with Sea Salt

Bittersweet Fudge with Sea Salt Recipe
Sprinkled sea salt surprises the palette and brings out rich, dark chocolate flavor in Bittersweet Fudge with Sea Salt. Atop this fudgy treat, flaky types of salt shaped like pyramids or thin shards show up the best and won’t overpower the sweet.

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Photo: Annabelle Breakey; Styling: Karen Shinto

Brussels Sprout and Prosciutto Skewers

Brussels Sprout and Prosciutto Skewers Recipe
Pickup appetizers are ideal for cocktail parties; they’re individually portioned and don’t require any plate balancing while your guests enjoy. Try this new spin on the prosciutto skewer. It’s delicious and can be made ahead to save you time on the day of the party.

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Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Mary Clayton Carl

Roquefort Cheesecake with Pear Preserves and Pecans

Roquefort Cheesecake with Pear Preserves and Pecans Recipe
Roquefort Cheesecake with Pear Preserves and Pecans is ideal for large gatherings–it makes 12 appetizer servings. Pear preserves balance the tanginess of the Roquefort cheese, and toasted pecans add nutty flavor to this herb-and-pecan cheese spread.

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Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Buttery Toasted Pecans

Buttery Toasted Pecans Recipe
Patiently roasting pecans (the entire 25 minutes!) at 325° to coax out their flavor and essential oils takes them from good to great.

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Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Mini Corn Cakes with Smoked Salmon and Dill Crème Fraîche

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Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Rosemary Salt-and-Vinegar Chips

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Photo: Andrew Thomas Lee; Styling: Kaitlyn Du Ross

Smoked Salmon Salad in Cucumber Cups

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Photo: Andrew Thomas Lee; Styling: Kaitlyn Du Ross

Crisp Persimmon with Ricotta, Honey, Pecans, and Mint

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Photo: Andrew Thomas Lee; Styling: Kaitlyn Du Ross

Pepita Pesto-Stuffed Mushrooms

Pepita Pesto-Stuffed Mushrooms Recipe
Mushroom caps make one delicious vessel for gluten-free appetizers all year long, but they will also be a huge hit at your holiday party this season.

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Photo: Kan Kanbayashi

Chocolate-Dipped Marshmallows

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Photo: Jonny Valiant; Styling: Deborah Williams

Date, Walnut, and Blue Cheese Ball

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Photo: Ryan Benyi; Styling: Gerri Williams for James Reps

Stuffed Celery

Stuffed Celery Recipe
For an easy side dish, serve guests Stuffed Celery. This stuffing is also great as a dip.

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Photo: Andrew Thomas Lee; Styling: Kaitlyn Du Ross

Polenta Toasts with Balsamic Onions, Roasted Peppers, Feta, and Thyme

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Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck

Bacon-Wrapped Bourbon Figs

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Photo: Andrew Thomas Lee; Styling: Kaitlyn Du Ross

Smoked Trout, Arugula, and Granny Smith Stacks

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Photo: Theresa Raffetto; Styling: Gerri Williams for James Reps

Cumin-Roasted Cashews

Cumin-Roasted Cashews Recipe
This simple appetizer of Cumin-Roasted Cashews is full of flavor and will subdue an appetite until the feast is complete.

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Photo: Ralph Anderson

Black Pepper-Goat Cheese Log

Black Pepper-Goat Cheese Log Recipe
Keep a few logs of goat cheese in the refrigerator during the holidays and you’ll always be ready with a quick appetizer. All you have to do is sprinkle the cheese with pepper and drizzle with olive oil.

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Jennifer Davick

Holiday Salsa

Holiday Salsa Recipe
No cooking required for this colorful 3-ingredient appetizer. Serve with tortilla chips for an appealing contrast between salty and sweet. If you have any left over, you can use it as a topping for fish or chicken.

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Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Pomegranate-Poached Pears with Cream

Pomegranate-Poached Pears with Cream
Recipe
Firm pears will take longer than ripe pears to cook. To test for doneness, slide a skewer or small knife into the centers. The pears are done when the skewer slides effortlessly through the thickest part of the pears. Use extra cooking liquid in cocktails and fizzy drinks, or drizzle over yogurt.

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Photo: Lee Harrelson; Styling: Jan Gautro, Laura Zapalowski

Warmed Cranberry Brie

Warmed Cranberry Brie Recipe
Make an easy and elegant holiday appetizer by topping a round of baked Brie with sweetened cranberry sauce and toasted pecans.

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Photo: Romulo Yanes; Styling: Kira Corbin

Wine-Poached Pears with Raspberries

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Photo: Alison Miksch; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Potato Candy

Potato Candy
Recipe
This old-school candy reminds us of divinity and other traditional homemade Southern sweets. The recipe is a testament to the genius of thrifty cooks who based the confection on leftover mashed potatoes.

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Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

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Photo: Alison Miksch; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

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Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Lindsey Lower

Cheesy Sausage Balls

Cheesy Sausage Balls
Recipe
To make ahead, cover and refrigerate unbaked balls up to 24 hours; or place in a heavy-duty zip-top plastic bag and freeze unbaked balls up to 1 month. Bake frozen balls at 375° for 22 to 25 minutes or until done.

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Photo: Petrina Tinslay

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Oxmoor House