Guide to the Best Gluten Free Christmas Candy

With the holidays right around the corner, people with celiac disease as well as other gluten intolerances, and those seeking to eliminate gluten from their diet, are searching for gluten free candy to enjoy this December. In the past, gluten free Christmas candy options were limited, and families with gluten free members were forced to alter their Holiday sweet eating habits, but now, leading candy manufacturers have grown increasingly aware to gluten allergies and sensitivities, and have altered their candy ingredients accordingly. While there are many lists of gluten free candy all over the web, candy manufacturers often change ingredients, and they typically release many seasonal candies, so it is important to examine the list of ingredients for any Holiday candy you pick up this season.

One of the most iconic Christmas candies, the candy cane, comes in many gluten free varieties. Popular candy brand Spangler cites that their candy canes, which include Candy Canes, Cane Classic, and Dum Dum Canes, are gluten free. LifeSaver Candy Canes, available in your favorite LifeSaver flavors, are also cited by their manufacturer, Kraft, as being gluten free. JellyBelly brand gourmet candy canes are similarly gluten free. These candy canes can all be purchased at your local drug store or grocery store, and should not see any raise in price based on their gluten free recipes. However, while many candy canes are listed as having gluten free ingredients, some are rolled in flour so that the plastic wrap does not stick to the cane itself. Depending on your level of gluten sensitivity, consider quickly rinsing off the candy cane to remove any flour gluten residue.

Another favorite holiday treat is chocolate, and to accomodate customers wishing to remain gluten free, many major chocolate manufacturers have removed gluten from their famous chocolate bars. Many Nestle products are listed as gluten free, including Butterfingers, Raisinets, SnoCaps, Nips, Goobers, and Baby Ruth; many of these candies are often repackaged in Holiday colors, if you are looking for something with a decorative element.

Now it is possible for someone wishing to remain gluten free to indulge in building a favorite Holiday tradition, a gingerbread house. Many common candy ingredients to construct and decorate your own gingerbread houses are now gluten free, and there are several gluten free gingerbread recipes on Gluten Free recipe websites to construct the walls of the house. If you're looking for something a little quicker, TheSensitiveBaker.com boasts a gluten free gingerbread kit, complete with gluten free "cement" icing. You can pick up gluten free gingerbread house decorations, including Dots, Tootsie Rolls and Fruit Rolls, Necco Wafers, Haviland colored Candy Stix, SnoCaps and American Smarties at your local grocery store. All Tootsie products, including Tootise Rolls, Tootsie Roll Pops, Charms Blow Pops, Sugar Babies, Sugar Daddies and Junior Mints are all gluten free. Even Hershey's most traditional chocolates are now gluten free. Milk Chocolate Hershey's Kisses, as well as the original Hershey's milk chocolate bar and the Hershey's bar with almonds, and York Peppermint Patties are all gluten free chocolate treats that are very popular at Christmas time.

If none of these candy bars entice your sweet tooth, consider looking at prominent Celiac Disease or gluten free websites, and taking note of gluten free candy brands. While some brands may not be releasing a special Christmas themed option, most will repackage their candy in Holiday themed wrappings, so you still can enjoy a special gluten free holiday treat.

Sources:
Gluten Free Halloween
Gluten-Free Candy
Gluten Free Gingerbread