Sweet Satisfaction
Discover seasonal gluten-free treats from local bakers who cater to those with gluten sensitivities. These local bakers strive to satisfy every sweet tooth with their delicious, celiac-safe desserts.
Deck the dessert table this Christmas with your favorite gluten-free holiday treats. Whether you're welcoming a guest with celiac disease or have a gluten intolerance yourself, this holiday season offers a chance to serve a delightful array of desserts that everyone can enjoy. While exclusively serving those who are gluten-free, these artisan bakers based in the Greater New Orleans area will satisfy anyone's sweet craving.
"People's allergies are most important," said Nicole Maurer, owner of Creme Confectionery, a home bakery in Metairie. "You get left out when you have food allergies." Maurer, who was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2014, has been baking gluten-free since college.
"I always knew I wanted to bake," said Maurer, who has a culinary degree from the John Folse Culinary Institute at Nicholls State University. "Having celiac, I was sick all the time. So now, everything I bake is gluten-free and celiac-safe. It made me feel better to help people and made myself feel better."
For Christmas, Maurer observes that her customers prefer the $50 gluten-free gingerbread house kit and the $40 ice sugar cookie decorating kit, which includes a dozen cookies and instructions. Maurer also offers a large platter of six dozen assorted gluten-free desserts, including chocolate chip cookies, mini turtles, petit fours, brownies, and cupcakes—ideal for office parties and family gatherings.
Likewise, Alva Jones, owner of the Tasty Sweets and Cakes, another home-based bakery, features a seasonal platter of assorted gluten-free desserts. "For Christmas, people love my dessert trays of the bite-size gluten-free brownies and ooey gooey bars," said Jones. "The ooey gooey bars are little chewy cakes. I have butter, chocolate, and cookies-n-cream.They are gluten-free and dairy-free. The cost ranges from $40-$65." Jones, a baker since age 16, found that these dessert trays are a hit for anyone seeking gluten-free sweets during the holidays. She remarked, "Most of the time, they don't even know that they're eating gluten-free. People only taste the flavor."
Local baker Diane Patterson of Girlfriend Bakery, who launched her home baking business in spring 2024, traded her passion of music for the opportunity to cook and bake gluten-free. "I am a touring singer and songwriter; however, CDs really don't sell anymore," she said. "I love my music, but since my wife was diagnosed with celiac this year, my mission is to supply food that's gluten-free, delicious, and makes people feel good."
Like other gluten-free bakers in town, Patterson showcases her breads and desserts at a monthly pop-up gluten-free market. She stated, "This holiday season, I'll likely be making decorated sugar cookies and pecan pies for everyone, but I'll definitely have croutons and bread crumbs, dinner rolls, and sourdough loaves as my staples."
If you miss the monthly market, you can find gluten-free desserts at Heavenly Hands Bakery located at 3117 18th St. in Metairie. Heather Troyer, owner and devoted gluten-free baker, understands the importance of taste and flavor in gluten-free desserts. "I was diagnosed with celiac in my late 20s," said Troyer, a retired nurse and mother of six children. "My sister has celiac, as well as two nieces and a few cousins totaling about nine in our family. So it was my grandmother who started baking gluten-free to feed all her babies."
Inspired by her grandmother, Troyer opened her bakery in June 2023 to share her flavorful gluten-free recipes and traditional baking techniques. Troyer mentioned that her top-selling holiday desserts are the small cakes shaped like Christmas trees. "These Christmas trees, which are $6 per cake, are similar to the Little Debbie Cakes, except that they are handmade, not machine-made," said Troyer. "They are a vanilla cake with marshmallow creme in the middle, drizzled with red stripes and green on top."
Another brick-and-mortar option in Metairie, Everyday Keto To Go, focuses its menu on gluten-free dishes with an emphasis on healthy eating and great taste. "Our entire bakery is gluten-free, sugar-free, wheat, grain, corn, soy, and oat-free," said Susan Freeswick, owner of Everyday Keto To Go, which is located at 110 Athania Pkwy. "We use super clean ingredients. We also have dairy and vegan free options."
According to Freeswick, the most popular gluten-free desserts during the holiday season from Thanksgiving to Christmas are pies, including pumpkin, pecan, and apple. Freeswick offers two sizes, the traditional full size, which costs between $56 to $65, and the personal four-inch size, which is about $10. "People bring in their dessert recipes all the time and ask me to convert them," said Freeswick. "There are so many savory options."
In the world of gluten-free desserts, a new bakery, Hen House, has opened on the Westbank at 938 Hancock St. in Gretna. Although Hen House has only been in business for just about a year, this gluten-free kitchen offers a carefully crafted menu that ensures all dishes are made without cross-contamination. "All of our pastries are gluten-free and made in a gluten-free kitchen," said Cara Benson, who also owns Toast and Tartine. She added that Hen House provides all gluten-free Christmas catering, including whole pecan, lemon ice box, pumpkin, chess squares, and sweet potato pies for $25.
Local bakeries like Hen House prioritize a safe dining experience for those with gluten sensitivities. Thanks to word of mouth, pop-up markets, and social media, it's easier than ever to find delicious, seasonal gluten-free desserts that are celiac-safe for your family and friends. No doubt, gluten-free desserts can be a sweet ending to a joyful Christmas celebration.
For more information about the pop-up monthly gluten-free market, please check Facebook or contact Cassie Thomas Zimmerman, administrator of the Facebook group Gluten Free Crescent City. These are the local bakers dedicated exclusively to gluten-free baked goods in Orleans and Jefferson Parishes:
Creme Confectionery, (504) 237-8329, cremeconfectionery.com
EverydayKetoToGo Bakery, (504) 957-9033, 110 Athania Pkwy. (Unit B), everydayketotogo.com
Girlfriend Bakery, (214) 676-7199, dianepatterson.org/girlfriend-bakery
Heavenly Hands Bakery, (504) 559-4441, 3117 18th St., heavenlyhandsbakery.com
Hen House, (504) 255-5097, 938 Hancock St., orderhenhouse.com
Tasty Sweets and Cakes, (504) 460-7798, tastysweetsandcakes.com
