Do the cheesecake shop do gluten-free cakes? Navigating dietary restrictions with dessert

November 10, 2025 •

3 min read

Approximately 1 in 70 Australians have coeliac disease, an autoimmune condition triggered by gluten, but a high percentage remains undiagnosed. For these individuals and those with gluten sensitivity, it's a common question: Do the cheesecake shop do gluten-free cakes?. Navigating dessert options at popular bakeries requires specific knowledge to ensure both safety and enjoyment.

Quick Summary

The Cheesecake Shop offers specific gluten-free cake options that are baked off-site to minimize cross-contamination risks. This careful approach is important for managing a gluten-free diet, especially for those with severe sensitivities or coeliac disease.

Key Points

Off-Site Baking: The Cheesecake Shop bakes its gluten-free cakes in a separate facility to prevent cross-contamination from airborne flour or shared equipment.
Endorsed Products: Some of The Cheesecake Shop's gluten-free items have been endorsed by Coeliac Australia, adding an extra layer of safety assurance.
Know the Company: It is crucial to remember this applies to The Cheesecake Shop (AU/NZ), not The Cheesecake Factory (US), which has different gluten-free policies.
Check Your Local Store: Availability of specific gluten-free cakes can vary, so it's best to confirm with your local bakery.
Balance is Key: While convenient, gluten-free desserts should be an occasional treat, with a focus on naturally gluten-free whole foods forming the basis of a healthy nutrition diet.
Cross-Contamination is Serious: For coeliacs, even a few crumbs of gluten can be harmful, so the bakery's off-site production is a significant safety feature.

Do The Cheesecake Shop Offer Gluten-Free Cakes?

Yes, The Cheesecake Shop does offer gluten-free cakes, but with a specific protocol that is crucial for those with coeliac disease or severe gluten intolerance. To address the risk of cross-contamination inherent in bakeries that handle wheat flour, The Cheesecake Shop produces their gluten-free range off-site in a dedicated facility. This ensures that the products are baked, decorated, and sealed in an environment free from gluten, significantly reducing the risk of cross-contact with other allergens. They also have products endorsed by Coeliac Australia, providing an extra layer of assurance for consumers.

It is important to distinguish The Cheesecake Shop (an Australian/New Zealand company) from The Cheesecake Factory (an American restaurant chain). While both offer gluten-free options, their processes and menus are distinct. The Cheesecake Shop's approach with off-site production is a key feature for those concerned about trace amounts of gluten.

Available Gluten-Free Cake Options

The Cheesecake Shop offers a selection of delicious options for those following a gluten-free diet. The specific cakes can vary by region, but common choices include:

Gluten Free Chocolate Cake: A popular choice that is baked and sealed off-premises.
Flourless Apple & Pear Cake: This option features walnuts, sultanas, and pear slices, confirming that some menu items are naturally flourless, though preparation processes should always be confirmed.

For the most up-to-date information on available gluten-free products, it is always best to check with your local store or their official website.

The Importance of Preventing Cross-Contamination

For individuals with coeliac disease, even trace amounts of gluten can cause intestinal damage. The rigorous process of off-site baking is a significant benefit because it separates the gluten-free production from standard bakery operations. In a typical in-store bakery, airborne flour, shared utensils, and prep surfaces can easily contaminate gluten-free items.

Coeliac Australia highlights several best practices for avoiding cross-contamination, many of which are relevant to a home environment but also illustrate the professional standards The Cheesecake Shop aims to meet with its dedicated production facility.

Store GF products separately: Keep gluten-free items on a top shelf to prevent crumbs from falling from regular products.
Use separate utensils: Never use the same knife, spoon, or chopping board for gluten-containing and gluten-free foods.
Clean surfaces thoroughly: Always wash preparation areas and equipment before starting gluten-free cooking or baking.

Comparison: Standard Bakery vs. The Cheesecake Shop (GF)


Feature	Standard In-Store Bakery	The Cheesecake Shop (Gluten-Free)
Production Location	All products typically made in the same kitchen.	Gluten-free range baked and sealed in a dedicated, off-site facility.
Cross-Contamination Risk	High due to shared equipment, airborne flour, and surfaces.	Minimal, as production is segregated from gluten-containing items.
Product Sealing	GF items may be stored alongside regular items.	GF cakes are sealed off-premises to maintain integrity.
Customer Assurance	Varies by baker; often rely on verbal assurances.	Provides official Coeliac Australia endorsement on some products.
Suitable for Coeliacs?	Not recommended without extreme caution and trust in staff.	A safer option due to dedicated production methods, but always check with staff.

Nutrition Diet: Choosing Your Gluten-Free Desserts

Adopting a gluten-free diet is a long-term commitment for individuals with coeliac disease. While finding convenient, safe dessert options is great, it's also important to consider the broader nutrition diet. Many commercial gluten-free alternatives can be high in sugar and calories, and a well-balanced diet should focus on naturally gluten-free foods.

For a healthy gluten-free diet, dietitians recommend prioritizing nutrient-dense foods such as:

Fresh fruits and vegetables
Naturally gluten-free grains like rice, corn, quinoa, and buckwheat
Legumes, nuts, and seeds
Lean proteins, including fresh meat, fish, and eggs

These natural foods should form the basis of your diet, with baked goods like The Cheesecake Shop's gluten-free cakes reserved as occasional indulgences. Learning to read food labels is also a critical skill for navigating a gluten-free diet effectively.

Conclusion

For those on a gluten-free diet, especially those with coeliac disease, The Cheesecake Shop offers a reliable option for enjoying a celebratory cake without excessive worry. By producing its gluten-free items off-site and adhering to strict sealing procedures, the company takes meaningful steps to minimize cross-contamination. However, personal responsibility remains key. Always confirm product details with staff and treat these desserts as a special treat within a wider, balanced nutrition diet. Choosing naturally gluten-free alternatives and focusing on whole foods remains the most nutritious approach for long-term health and wellbeing. For authoritative information on coeliac disease and gluten-free living, we recommend consulting Coeliac Australia.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, they offer some gluten-free options. While a classic cheesecake base is often biscuit-based and contains gluten, they may provide alternatives like flourless cakes. You should confirm the current offerings, as options like their Apple & Pear cake are flourless.

The company minimizes the risk of cross-contamination by baking its gluten-free products in a dedicated off-site facility. These products are then sealed before being transported to their stores.

Yes, some of their gluten-free cake products are endorsed by Coeliac Australia, providing confidence that they have been produced under stringent conditions.

The Cheesecake Shop is an Australian/New Zealand bakery chain, whereas The Cheesecake Factory is a U.S. restaurant chain. Their gluten-free menus and preparation methods are different, so it's important not to confuse them.

For those with coeliac disease, even a small amount of gluten can damage the small intestine, even if no immediate symptoms are present. Always exercise caution and follow your doctor's advice regarding your nutrition diet.

Not necessarily. Many gluten-free products can still be high in sugar and calories. While safe for a gluten-free diet, they should be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet that is rich in whole, naturally gluten-free foods.

The safest approach is to purchase products that are explicitly labeled 'gluten-free' and, for extra peace of mind, are endorsed by organizations like Coeliac Australia. Always ask the store staff about their preparation processes and specifically mention your need to avoid cross-contamination.