I love seeing my Spotify Wrapped each December. It ranks the music that captivated me over the course of the year and shows me my top five songs, albums, etc. And realized…it would be fun to do the same with my recipes! 

So I looked at all the blog recipes from 2023 (so much fun just to review them all). Then I checked all the analytics and found which ones were the most popular this year. No chance I could keep it to just five though 😉 There were actually so many hits that I had to split the post into two! Dinners will come later, but first up are the best sweet treats and gluten free desserts of 2023! 

Lots of beauties here — hopefully you see some favorites you made this year and some you want to revisit next year! So here’s to the Best Gluten Free Desserts of 2023 and cheers to the ones I’ll whip up and share with you all in 2024! 

Paleo Dessert Ideas

Almond Flour Cinnamon Chocolate Fudge Brownies

Is there anything better than finding an absolutely smashing gluten-free treat at a restaurant? I could cry from happiness. And of course, being me, my first stop afterwards is my kitchen to try to recreate it myself! So that’s how these Almond Flour Cinnamon Chocolate Fudge Brownies were born — they’re my take on one I had at a beloved Mexican spot in the Bay Area. Grain-free, thanks to an almond flour base, these brownies are so rich and velvety due to the combo of melted chocolate and cocoa powder. And here’s what makes them different; the hearty pour of warming cinnamon and the crackley sugar topping. Perfect for cozying up to watch holiday movies one of these nights before New Years. 

Gluten Free Mug Cake

Gluten-Free Lemon Mug Cake 

Lots of mug cake recipes out there this year, but you all loved this unconventional Gluten-Free Lemon Mug Cake version! This recipe comes together in less than five minutes thanks to the use of a great grain-free cake mix, but we give it some extra oomph with lemon zest and juice. Plus, it’s got this creamy, cashew-based, lemony drizzle frosting to pop on top when it’s warm. Treat yourself one night this holiday season, maybe Christmas Eve, when you’re sure to need extra energy for Santa-ing 🎄

Gluten-Free Mug Cake

Give me 90 seconds and three ingredients and I’ll give you cake! This Gluten-Free Mug Cake is a chocolate lovers dream and can truly be made on the fly anytime you feel like it. You can choose to frost it, or not, add chocolate chips, or not, add dye-free sprinkles, or not. Choose your own adventure with this decadent mug cake and make it just the way YOU like it!

Dairy Free Gluten Free Cookie Recipes

Gluten-Free Monster Cookies

These monster-sized, Gluten-Free Monster Cookies were a runaway hit this Fall! You loved their candy pieces and chocolate chips and their almond buttery, oaty base (not paleo FYI). These cookies start with brown butter too so it’s very hard to go wrong from there, haha. They are both soft and pleasingly dense and oh so addictive. I like to make a double batch of dough and freeze half in a circular log. Then, when we all need a treat (or maybe just me), I can slice and bake a couple of cookies in just 10 minutes.

Peanut Butter Cookies with Fudge Filling

The rich fudge filling in between these cookies gets its springy consistency from marshmallows! We combine them with dairy-free butter, dairy-free milk, and melted chocolate, and the result is this spreadable, decadent chocolate fudge. It’s perfection between two peanut butter cookies (which you can also make with almond butter or sunflower butter instead) creating these Peanut Butter Cookies with Fudge Filling.

CopyCat Heavenly Hunks Recipe

While not technically a cookie (and not paleo), these gluten-free, honey-sweetened, oaty CopyCat Heavenly Hunks were an enormous hit in 2023! But I can’t say I’m surprised. They are no-bake, simple to make (even with kiddos), and have satisfying flecks of chocolate chips throughout. You can store them on the counter, in the fridge, or in the freezer. And a handful in a little baggie with a bow might be the perfect little treat gift for someone on your list!

High Protein Sweet Snacks

Birthday Cake Protein Balls

Sounds like an oxymoron, but a high-protein treat topped the charts this year! My Birthday Cake Protein Balls! It’s a super easy, no-bake recipe and simple to create with kids and/or gift this holiday season. The protein base combines cashew butter, collagen powder, coconut butter, and some almond flour. This rich base gets a chocolate dip and sprinkle topping. And with each one boasting 6 grams of protein, this is one treat that will satisfy your sweet tooth AND keep you full.

Gluten-Free Banana Protein Muffins 

 

The popularity of these Gluten-Free Banana Protein Muffins blew me away a bit! They are delicious, but I wasn’t sure how you all would feel about bumping up the protein in a baked good and whether or not that’s something you’d be interested in. And wow, you LOVED it! So, I hear you and I’ve added “make more high protein treats” to my 2024 to-do list 😉 In the case of these muffins, their protein comes via Greek yogurt, hemp seeds, and collagen peptides (optional). I recommend a double batch — one for now and one for the freezer. 

Fun Dessert Recipes

And here are some more fun gluten-free and paleo sweet treat recipes to try! Enjoy!

Gluten Free Cookie Recipes 

Gluten Free S’mores Brownies

Paleo Fudge Jar Cakes