28 light spring desserts that skip gluten, not flavor

Fresh flavors, vibrant colors, and no one will know these seasonal desserts are gluten-free. Low FODMAP, too.

There’s something about spring that calls for desserts that feel lighter and fruitier. As strawberries and blueberries come into their own, it’s the perfect moment to rethink what dessert can be. And if you’re eating gluten-free, you no longer have to navigate around limitations. Many of the season’s best sweets naturally fit the bill.

These desserts lean into what spring does best, highlighting fresh fruit, simple techniques, and textures that feel just right for warmer days. From cakes to ice cream, scones, shortcakes, and spoonable favorites, each one delivers on flavor first. Gluten-free just happens to be part of the package, as well as low FODMAP.

Rhubarb Crumble Ice Cream

Sweet and creamy vanilla ice cream is layered with a sweet/tart rhubarb ribbon, along with crunchy crisp bits for an ice cream experience unlike any other. Get the recipe for Rhubarb Crumble Ice Cream.

Strawberry Rose Tart

This tart is all about the berries – cut into little rose shapes. It is a little fiddly, as you will be making several cuts into each berry, but it is so pretty and always brings on exclamations from those lucky enough to be served this lovely tart. The base is a sweet tart crust, and the filling is a classic pastry cream. Get the recipe for Strawberry Rose Tart. 

Strawberry Cornmeal Yogurt Skillet Cake

This is an easy-to-make cake, baked in a skillet, with a rustic homespun texture from the cornmeal, and a slight tang from yogurt. Get the recipe for Strawberry Cornmeal Yogurt Skillet Cake.

Gluten-Free Rhubarb Upside Down Cake

This homespun cake is easy to make, and while it looks dramatic, we show you the techniques needed so that your cake will look as delectable as the photo. You end up with a tender gluten-free cake beneath a sweet tart rhubarb topping that will thrill family and friends. Get the recipe for Rhubarb Upside Down Cake.

Strawberry Shortcake

This is classic strawberry shortcake, based on buttery, flaky biscuits. The berries are sliced and half of them are crushed to create the perfect compote to layer between the biscuits along with homemade softly whipped cream. Get the recipe for Strawberry Shortcake. 

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

Strawberries and rhubarb are two spring fruit that have a natural affinity for one another. Here they are brought together underneath a brown sugar and oat-based crunchy crisp topping. Try this at breakfast or brunch with a dollop of unsweetened yogurt. Get the recipe for Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp. 

Dairy-Free Strawberry Coconut Meringue Cake

This cake is gluten-free as well as low FODMAP and dairy free! Layers of crisp meringue with coconut whipped cream, coconut chips and fresh strawberries make this special occasion cake one to look forward to. Get the recipe for Dairy-Free Strawberry Coconut Meringue Cake.

Vegan & Low FODMAP Strawberry Peach Coconut Crisp

This low FODMAP, gluten-free and vegan Strawberry Peach Coconut Crisp features strawberries with a low FODMAP amount of yellow peaches nestled under a brown sugar oat crisp topping – that happens to be made with coconut oil. Coconut flakes are added to the topping, too. With or without a dollop of lactose-free or vegan) vanilla ice cream or yogurt, this is a fantastic homestyle dessert, that also happens to be very easy to make. Get the recipe for Vegan & Low FODMAP Strawberry Peach Coconut Crisp.

New York Style Cheesecake With Strawberry Glaze

This New York style cheesecake based on cream cheese is rich and creamy, nestled on a crisp crust. It is fantastic without the strawberry glaze, but we certainly highly recommend it. Get the recipe for New York Style Cheesecake With Strawberry Glaze.

Fresh Blueberry Pie

What is Fresh Blueberry Pie? A pie that is so blueberry-y that it is practically incomprehensible. It is made by cooking blueberries on top of the stove until they are jammy, and then folding in fresh blueberries and the whole shebang is poured into a flaky, pre-baked crust. Get the recipe for Fresh Blueberry Pie.

Rhubarb Cheesecake Tart

This tart is made from a few different components. The crust is simple, rich, and buttery, topped with an ultra-creamy lactose-free vanilla cheesecake layer. Next comes a layer of sweet/tart rhubarb with a hint of lemon zest and the whole shebang is crowned with nutty brown sugar, browned-butter streusel. GETTING HUNGRY? Let’s bake together! Get the recipe for Rhubarb Cheesecake Tart.

Strawberry Granita

Strawberries, water, and sugar, along with time in the freezer, create this delectable and refreshing strawberry granita. No ice cream maker needed. Get the recipe for Strawberry Granita.

The Best Gluten-Free Blueberry Muffins

We live in New England and blueberry muffins are an important part of our diet. I know that sounds funny, but it’s true. And our recipe for gluten-free blueberry muffins is the best one you will find anywhere. We stand by this recipe! Half of the blueberries are left hole, and half are slightly mashed for a blueberry packed muffin. Get the recipe for The Best Gluten-Free Blueberry Muffins.

Nutty Strawberry Oat Bars

Crisp on the outside, chewy in the middle, easy to make too. You create an oaty, nutty, crumbly dough, which functions as the bottom layer as well as the top, and strawberry preserves are spread in the middle. Baked in a square pan, they are firm enough to eat out-of-hand, but tender at the same time. Get the recipe for Nutty Strawberry Oat Bars.

Lemon Blueberry Sheet Pan Pancake

Breakfast just got a lot easier and faster with these Sheet Pan Pancakes! Same great flavor and texture, but no more waiting, flipping, and family members eating in shifts. It’s the best thing since sliced bread. Get the recipe for Lemon Blueberry Sheet Pan Pancake

Sour Cream Blueberry Bundt Cake

This blueberry Bundt cake is incredibly moist due to the inclusion of sour cream. Baked in a Bundt pan, it is perfect four brunch, big sales, anytime you want to feed a crowd. Gluten-free too! Get the recipe for Sour Cream Blueberry Bundt Cake.

Rhubarb Pie With Lattice Crust

If there is one pie that says spring to us it is rhubarb pie. We like it with a lattice crust so that we can see the gorgeous pink and red colors peeking through. Get the recipe for Rhubarb Pie With Lattice Crust.

Rhubarb Scones

We love a good scone in the morning and these features little bits of sweet and tart rhubarb. Crunchy coarse grain sugar on top is a nice addition. Get the recipe for Rhubarb Scones.

Strawberry Yogurt Granola Pops

Popsicles for breakfast? When they are a combination of yogurt, fruit, and granola, we say why not? You will need a popsicle mold for this recipe. Get the recipe for Strawberry Yogurt Granola Pops.

Vegan Red, White & Blue Popsicles

Few foods are more fun or tastier than our Vegan Red, White & Blue Popsicles – low FODMAP, too – and they are easy to make at home. You do need a popsicle mold, and they are not all created equal; more on that in the recipe. Get ready for a strawberry layer, a dairy-free coconut layer and a blueberry layer. These pops are sweet, but not-too-sweet, and happen to be vegan! Get the recipe for Vegan Red, White & Blue Popsicles.

Low FODMAP Mixed Berry Slab Pavlova

Behold our Low FODMAP Mixed Berry Slab Pavlova! A vision of beauty and one bite will make you swoon with the contrasts of textures and flavors. It begins with a giant freeform slab of meringue baked on a sheet pan, which can be made ahead. Low FODMAP amounts of blackberries and raspberries are cooked into a thick, glossy sauce. Get the recipe.

Gluten-Free Blueberry Pie

Looking for a classic double crusted blueberry pie? In a flaky buttery crust? That just happens to be gluten-free? This is the one! Get the recipe for Gluten-Free Blueberry Pie.

Fresh Strawberry Tart

If you love fresh strawberries and want to make a dessert, look no further. These berries are kept fresh and nestled in a buttery crust. The glaze is made from additional puréed and strained berries. It’s strawberries maximized! Get the recipe for Fresh Strawberry Tart.

Rhubarb Raspberry Crostata

The natural tartness of the rhubarb and sweetness of the raspberries work beautifully together in this simple fold-over crostata. Get the recipe.

Eton Mess

This well-known and be loved English dessert is a combination of meringue, sweet and strawberries and whipped cream. Simple and sublime. Get the recipe for Eton Mess.

Strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler        

Cobblers are an easy dessert to make, especially when they are the kind that feature a drop-biscuits style topping, such as this one. The sweet juicy strawberries, and sweet and tart rhubarb are a classic combination, which works quite well with the buttery and rich cobbler topping. Get the recipe for Strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler.

Strawberry Bread

You have recipes for banana bread, but how about strawberry bread? This one came from a community member and surprised us all! The color might not be vivid, but the flavor of strawberries comes through in every bite. Get the recipe for Strawberry Bread.

Strawberry Pavlova

Crisp sugary meringue layered with strawberries and whipped cream create this classic dessert. Get the recipe for Strawberry Pavlova. 

The Takeaway

The best spring desserts do not need to try too hard. When you focus on fresh ingredients and balanced flavors, gluten-free baking becomes less about substitution and more about celebration.

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