The Best Thing I Ever Ate at Disney - Gluten Free Desserts

One of my favorite Food Network shows is The Best Thing I Ever Ate.  When I saw The Disney Food Blog's "The Best Thing I Ever Ate in Disney" Series, I knew I had to do a series of blog posts featuring my favorite gluten free dishes at Disney.  This post will focus on my favorite desserts at Disney World, starting with the theme parks, then moving on to Disney Springs and the Disney Resorts.



Vanilla & Chocolate Milkshake - The Plaza Restaurant

The Creamy Hand-Dipped Milkshakes at The Plaza Restaurant are my favorite sweet treat at The Magic Kingdom.  Topped with whipped cream and cherries, there is nothing better on a hot day in Florida.  I love my milkshake with a mixture of vanilla and chocolate ice cream.  Be sure to ask for Chef Ken, one of my favorite chefs at Disney World, when you dine at The Plaza Restaurant.  Last time we were at The Plaza, he whipped us up a delicious gluten free cookies & cream milkshake that my husband said was better than the gluten-filled one my daughters had.



Pistachio Creme Brulee - Tony's Town Square Restaurant

I find that many restaurants on Disney property and around Orlando feature creme brulee as one of their gluten free dessert options.  One of my favorites at Disney is the pistachio creme brulee at Tony's Town Square Restaurant in the Magic Kingdom.  The creme brulee at Tony's is creamy, with a nice subtle pistachio flavor, and just the right amount of caramelized sugar on top.



Chocolate Panna Cotta - Tutto Gusto & Tutto Italia

The chocolate panna cotta at Epcot is one of my favorite desserts in Disney World.  A large portion of the dessert is available at Tutto Italia, but if you dine at Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar, you can choose either the small or large portion.  The amarena cherries on top of the chocolate custard are just heavenly!



Corn Ice Cream - La Hacienda de San Angel

La Hacienda de San Angel in Epcot boasts two amazing gluten free desserts, corn ice cream and chocolate mousse.  The chocolate mousse contains little bits of chocolate and has a hint of cinnamon, which sets it apart from any chocolate mousse I have ever tried.  The corn ice cream though is my favorite.  The creamy corn ice cream isn't overly sweet, and it is served with candied popcorn and chili pepper salt.  The combination is just amazing!

Crema Bavaria - San Angel Inn Restaurante 

The Crema Bavaria at San Angel Inn is a creamy bavarian mousse served with mixed berries, cinnamon, and orange liqueur.  Our server said it was similar to a flan, but it was way better than any flan I have ever tasted.  I did share a bite with everyone in my family, and they all thought it was great.  I loved the intense cinnamon flavor and the wonderfully creamy texture.



Saffron and Lemon Custard - Spice Road Table

The saffron and lemon custard at Spice Road Table in Epcot tastes like a creme brulee with a hint of lemon and saffron.  I love the creamy texture of the custard combined with the crushed pistachios on top.  This dessert is not to be missed on a visit to Spice Road Table.

OMG...It's Gluten Free Fudge Brownies

My favorite gluten free packaged treat at Disney World is the OMG...It's Gluten Free Fudge Brownie.  I regularly order them from Restaurantosaurus and Columbia Harbour House, but I think I first tried them at Tusker House Restaurant in the Animal Kingdom.  I've also eaten them at 'Ohana, Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater, and the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, where the chefs dress them up with ice cream, whipped cream, and fruit.  At Trail's End Restaurant, Chef TJ made me an amazing dessert tower with OMG brownies, strawberries, bananas, and chocolate sauce.  OMG...It's Gluten Free Fudge Brownies can be found throughout Disney World, and there is a sugar free version as well, which I avoid because I don't eat sugar substitutes.



Strawberry & Apple Crumble - Raglan Road

I have had two amazing gluten free desserts at Raglan Road in Disney Springs, the Dundon's Delight, and the Strawberry & Apple Crumble.  The Dundon's Delight, a raspberry pavlova with vanilla pod ice cream and raspberry sauce was pretty amazing, but I have to give a slight edge to the warm strawberry & apple crumble served with cream and vanilla ice cream.  Both desserts are truly decadent, and are the perfect way to end a great meal at Raglan Road, one of the best restaurants at Disney World for special diets.

Chocolate Soft Serve with Brownie Crumbles - Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC

Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC in Disney Springs serves gluten free, vegan vanilla and chocolate soft serve with a variety of fun toppings.  My personal favorite is the chocolate soft serve with crumbled brownies on top, a rare treat for someone with celiac.  If we lived closer to Disney, I would want to have a soft serve night at Erin McKenna's once a week.  

Mango Sorbet - The BOATHOUSE

I am usually not a fan of sorbet, because I find it to be too sweet, and I prefer  the creaminess of ice cream, but The BOATHOUSE at Disney Springs serves mango sorbet that is so creamy, I was shocked that it did not have dairy in it.  The gingered stone fruit compote with basil and lime perfectly complimented the sorbet, which might be the best I have ever had.  The sorbet at The BOATHOUSE is made locally by Muse Gelato.

Mochi-Mochi - Morimoto Asia

The Mochi-Mochi at Morimoto Asia in Disney Springs is one of the most interesting desserts I have ever had, and it is naturally gluten free.  The bottom layer is annin tofu, which has an almond flavor, and a panna cotta like consistency.  On top are pieces of frozen mango, strawberry and kiwi flavored boba, and a lemon-yogurt powder.  The chilled coconut mango soup is served on the side, and is poured over the dish table-side.  All the flavors and textures of this incredible dessert come together so well, and it serves two, so leave a lot of room for dessert, or have someone to share it with.



Kilauea Torte - Kona Cafe 

My favorite chocolate lava cake at Disney is the Kilauea Torte at Kona Cafe in the Polynesian Village Resort.  It is served warm, and has that molten chocolate center that I so love.  Plus, it is served with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, and berries, which makes it lava cake perfection for me.  If you love chocolate lava cake, another great option is The Chocolate Wave at Coral Reef Restaurant in Epcot.



Banana Chocolate Creme Brulee - Kona Cafe

Kona Cafe doesn't have just one amazing gluten free dessert, they have two!  The Banana Chocolate Creme Brulee might be the best creme brulee I have ever had.  The bottom layer of creamy chocolate, and the caramelized banana garnish take this dessert to the next level.



Bananas Foster - Boatwright's Dining Hall

Sometimes the simple things are the most delicious.  It was love at first bite for me when I tried the bananas foster with vanilla bean ice cream at Boatwright's at Disney's Port Orleans Riverside Resort.  There are other gluten free options on the dessert menu, but this dish is so crazy good, I would have a hard time ordering anything else.

Seasonal Kulfi - Sanaa

I order the seasonal kulfi every time I dine at Sanaa.  I have tried the blood orange, pineapple, banana, and pumpkin.  I love the presentation, and they always taste great!  Kulfi reminds me of ice cream, but it's a little denser and creamier.

Whispering Canyon Campfire-style Chocolate Cake - Whispering Canyon Cafe

I would go to Whispering Canyon Cafe at Disney's Wilderness Lodge just for the Campfire-style Chocolate Cake.  I ordered it with ice cream, which was an extra charge, but it was definitely worth it.  I think there were some marshmallows melted on top of the cake, which is served warm.  The taste of the cake is great, and the middle reminds me a bit of a molten chocolate cake.  This cake is safe for people with gluten/wheat, egg, milk, and peanut/tree nut allergies, and it is not to be missed if you love chocolate.

No Way Jose Sundae - Beaches & Cream Soda Shop

Beaches & Cream Soda Shop at Disney's Beach Club Resort serves up a variety of different sundaes, but my favorite is the No Way Jose, which includes chocolate and vanilla ice cream, peanut butter and chocolate sauce, peanut butter and chocolate morsels, whipped cream, and a cherry.  Come hungry, because the sundaes are huge!  

Gluten Free Beignets - Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory

Sassagoula, at Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter Resort, is home to one of my favorite sweet treats at Disney World, gluten free beignets.  Just head to the beignet counter, which is open all day, and ask to speak to a chef.  Chef Tony and his team do an amazing job with special diets.  I am so thankful they developed this gluten free, dairy free, egg free treat!

When I asked my blog readers what some of their favorite sweet treats were at Disney, Dole Whip and Dole Whip Floats, desserts at Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC - Downtown Disney, and Mickey waffles were mentioned more than once.  I have always loved gluten free Mickey waffles, but the chefs at Boma have taken Mickey waffles to the next level by serving them with bananas foster and pecan praline sauce.  They were so good, I am almost at a loss for words, and that doesn't happen often.  I know it's a buffet, but I would be content to just eat these waffles the next time I go to Boma for breakfast.  I wish they would serve them as a dessert option at dinner.

What are your favorite gluten free desserts at Disney World?