This amazing Gluten-Free Cupcake Recipe makes moist and fluffy cupcakes that are perfect for any occasion. Bake them for your next birthday party, family gathering, or just-because celebration!
If you’re looking for a great cake recipe, try this gluten-free vanilla cake!
Looking for the best gluten free cupcake recipe? You’re in the right place. This post has all the tips and tricks you need to make fluffy, light, and moist gluten-free cupcakes, every time.
There are so many occasions in life that call for perfect, fluffy vanilla cupcakes. From birthday parties to special occasions, there is no need to miss out on cupcakes if you eat gluten-free!
This gluten-free cupcakes recipe is my go-to anytime I need a good cupcake base. The gluten-free vanilla cupcakes are delicious topped with any kind of frosting and are made with ingredients that I always have on hand.
These gluten-free red velvet cupcakes also turn out amazing every time!
For more gluten-free cake recipes try this gluten-free angel food cake, gluten-free pineapple upside down cake, gluten free carrot cake and gluten-free birthday cake.
Why You’ll Love these Gluten-Free Cupcakes
- Light, tender crumb
- Made with pantry staples
- Come together quickly
- Versatile
Gluten-Free Cupcakes Ingredients
- Gluten-Free 1:1 Baking Flour: These gluten-free cupcakes turn out best when you use a high-quality 1:1 gluten free flour blend. Look for a gluten free all-purpose flour blend that contains xanthan gum to give these gluten-free cupcakes the structure they need. This is my favorite brand for this easy recipe.
- Apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar and almond milk act as a great substitute for buttermilk. The cider vinegar helps to “curdle” the milk and creates a pleasant tang!
- Cornstarch: Cornstarch acts as a thickening agent to give the batter the perfect consistency—moist, but light and fluffy!
- Egg yolk: Adding extra egg yolk to these gluten-free vanilla cupcakes helps the batter hold more liquid and create a more moist, rich cake that has an improved structure.
How to Make Gluten-Free Cupcakes
- Whisk together the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl, including the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Mix together the almond milk and apple cider vinegar, let sit for 5 minutes.
- Add the room temperature, unsalted butter and white sugar to a stand mixer or using a hand electric mixer, mix until creamy. Mix in the large eggs and vanilla extract.
- Add the wet ingredients (almond milk and apple cider vinegar) and dry ingredients alternately. This allows the flours to absorb and creates fluffy cupcakes.
- Stir any cake batter up from the bottom and sides then mix again briefly.
- Scoop into a lined muffin pan and bake.
- When the gluten-free cupcakes are cooled, using a piping bag to frost and give the cupcakes a professional-looking finish.
Tip: Be sure you almond milk, butter and eggs are all room temperature for best results. This allows the gluten-free flours to absorb properly into the batter and make perfect gluten-free vanilla cupcakes.
Storage/Freezing Tips for Gluten-Free Cupcakes
TO STORE: These easy gluten-free cupcakes cake will stay moist and soft for up to 2 days. To store, simply cover the cooled cupcakes tightly with plastic wrap and keep at room temperature.
TO FREEZE: Want to prepare these gluten-free cupcakes ahead of time? No problem! Bake the cake as usual, let it cool, and then wrap it tightly before freezing in an airtight container or freezer bag. When you’re ready to assemble and eat the cupcake, take it out to frost and let it thaw for a couple hours before eating. (Don’t frost the cupcakes before freezing.)
Gluten-Free Cupcakes FAQ
I recommend using a high-quality, gluten-free all-purpose flour for gluten-free baking. For best results, pick a blend that contains xanthan gum or another binder. These blends are usually called measure-for-measure or 1:1 baking flour.
This is my favorite gluten-free measure-for-measure baking flour. I also add a little cornstarch to the dry ingredients for these cupcakes. A little extra starch mimics cake flour and yields a nice fluffy cupcake.
Using the right kind of flour and the right flour-to-starch ratio will help these cupcakes bake up nice and moist, along with mixing on medium speed (instead of high speed), and using quality cupcake liners.
Yes, xanthan gum is a key ingredient in high-quality gluten-free flour. It makes all the difference in producing cupcakes with a light, moist, crumb and sturdy texture.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Adding a little cornstarch to the gluten-free flour helps to mimic cake flour in this recipe. This combination will create nice fluffy gluten-free cupcakes!
- These gluten-free cupcakes are delicious with any frosting recipe you like! My favorite combination is vanilla cake with chocolate frosting. But you can also try vanilla frosting, strawberry frosting, or any other frosting flavor you dream up!
- Make sure you mix the batter on medium speed rather than high speed. Mixing some air into the batter is good, but if the batter is beaten to hard of for too long it can incorporate too much air and the cupcakes will fall.
More Gluten-Free Cake Recipes
I hope you love these gluten-free cupcakes as much as we do! If you try these gluten-free cupcakes, be sure to leave me a comment/rating below. I’d love to hear from you!
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Perfect Gluten-Free Cupcake Recipe
This PERFECT gluten-free cupcake recipe makes moist and fluffy cupcakes. It’s sure to become your go-to cupcake recipe!
Ingredients
For the Frosting:
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350F. Line a muffin pan with cupcake liners.
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In a measuring cup, whisk together the almond milk and cider vinegar. Let sit for 5 minutes.
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In a bowl, mix together the gluten-free flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
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In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugar. Add the egg, egg yolks, and vanilla and beat until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add the ⅓ of the milk mixture alternately with ⅓ of the dry ingredients, beating on medium speed to combine after each addition.
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Scoop the batter into the lined muffin pan. The batter will be slightly thick. Bake for 18-20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Careful not to overbake.
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Transfer the cupcakes to a wire rack and let cool completely. Top with frosting of choice. Enjoy!
For the Frosting:
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In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the cocoa powder. Mix to smooth any lumps. Add the butter and mix until smooth. Add the remaining ingredients and mix on low until incorporated. Increase the speed to medium and beat until light and fluffy.
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Spread or pipe the frosting over the cooled cupcakes. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
- Be sure you almond milk, butter and eggs are all room temperature for best results. This allows the gluten-free flours to absorb properly into the batter.
- I recommend using a high, quality gluten-free all-purpose flour for gluten-free baking. For best results, pick a blend that contains xanthan gum or another binder.
- Adding a little cornstarch along with the gluten-free flour mimics cake flour in this recipe. This combination will create nice fluffy cupcakes.
- It also helps greatly to use a good quality cupcake liners any time you’re baking gluten-free cupcakes or muffins.
Calories: 211.66kcal | Carbohydrates: 27.83g | Protein: 2.93g | Fat: 10.04g | Saturated Fat: 5.4g | Cholesterol: 66.26mg | Sodium: 193.81mg | Potassium: 105.2mg | Fiber: 0.88g | Sugar: 16.87g | Vitamin A: 296.3IU | Calcium: 55.45mg | Iron: 0.69mg
NUTRITION INFORMATION:
Calories: 211.66kcal