While I’m not gluten free myself, I get a lot of requests for gluten free recipes on social media, as well as in my cake and cupcake classes. That’s why I’m sharing this recipe for gluten free vanilla cupcakes!!
I used to think that gluten free baking was super intimidating, but there are so many wonderful gluten-free flour blends out there nowadays!! They make gluten free baking so much more approachable.
If you didn’t tell me that these cupcakes were gluten free, I’d have no clue. The texture and taste are just like a regular vanilla cupcake 🙂
What’s in Gluten Free Flour??
There are a lot of gluten free flour blends out there. Each brand uses a unique mixture of wheat flour alternatives, like rice flour, brown rice flour, and even almond flour!
It can be difficult to get the texture of gluten free flour just right for baking. A lot of these alternative flours have a finer texture than all-purpose flour.
Some type of starch is usually added to help give the mixture better structure, and a bit of binding power. Tapioca and potato starch are the most commonly used starches.
One other ingredient in gluten free flour that might sound a little strange is xanthan gum. It’s a key ingredient in gluten free baking. Xanthan gum has a big impact on the texture of gluten free baked goods too.
Gluten adds an elasticity and stickiness to dough and batter. Xanthan gum emulates these characteristics in gluten free baking and helps lock in moisture.
What Brand of Gluten Free Flour is Best?
I’ve tried this recipe with a few different brands of gluten free flour, and so far, each of them has worked great:
- King Arthur gluten free measure for measure flour
- Cup4Cup gluten free multipurpose flour blend
- Bob’s Red Mill gluten free 1-to-1 baking flour
My favorite brand of gluten free flour for this recipe was King Arthur. However, any brand of gluten free flour you can find at your grocery store should work.
My only word of caution is to be sure you use some sort of gluten free flour blend.
Using a single type of gluten free flour like almond flour or cassava flour in this recipe will not yield the same results!
Most grocery stores carry at least one blend of gluten free flour. Stores like Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s also have lots of great options.
If all else fails, amazon is another easy way to get your hands on a gluten free flour blend. I order most of my baking supplies on amazon, including most of my specialty ingredients 🙂
Swapping Out the Buttermilk for Sour Cream
This gluten free vanilla cupcake recipe is based on my vanilla cupcake recipe, but I did have to make a few changes.
Gluten free baked goods have come a long way in the past few years, but a lot of people still think of them as gritty, dense, and even gummy.
Using a good gluten free flour blend can fix most of these issues. However, I found that the gluten free version of my vanilla cupcake recipe couldn’t handle the same amount of buttermilk.
The cupcakes ended up being too moist, and texture wasn’t quite right. To help lighten up this recipe and create a fluffier texture, I use sour cream in place of buttermilk.
This gives the cupcakes a tender crumb, while keeping them moist and fluffy.
Why This Recipe Works with Gluten Free Flour
Another reason this cupcake recipe works is because it uses oil as a fat instead of butter. Oil is easier for the gluten free flour to absorb.
The cupcake texture was spot on, with the help of the following gluten free baking tips.
Tip #1: Over-mix Your Batter
While I strongly advise against over mixing batter in other recipes, and even design my recipes to have as little mixing as possible, gluten free batter is different.
The whole reason you don’t want to over mix your batter is that it develops thick strands of gluten, which can lead to dense, tough cupcakes. But when you’re using gluten free flour, this isn’t a problem.
In fact, over-mixing gluten free flour can actually give the cupcake better structure! This helps cupcakes rise better as they bake and gives the cake a more tender crumb.
The additional mixing can also make it easier to bite into these cupcakes and enjoy them. The incremental structure helps prevent the cupcakes from crumbling as they’re bitten into.
Tip #2 Let Your Batter Rest
Remember earlier when I said that gluten free flour blends can have a hard time absorbing moisture and fats?
If you let the batter sit for a bit before baking it, you give the flour more time to absorb all that goodness. This helps thicken the batter and prevents your cupcakes from having a gritty texture.
I unintentionally did this as I was photographing and filming this gluten free vanilla cupcake batter. You’d be surprised how long it takes to get a perfect shot of scooping cupcake batter into a pan!
Letting the batter sit for about 30 minutes drastically improves the texture of these cupcakes, so be sure you don’t skip this step!!
Why I Prefer Vanilla Bean Paste Over Vanilla Extract in This Recipe
It’s important to use good quality vanilla when it’s the only flavor in a baked good like this. I used vanilla bean paste in this recipe, and I think it makes a huge difference in taste!
I prefer vanilla bean paste to vanilla extract in this recipe for a couple reasons. The first reason is that I love the little flecks of vanilla bean in the buttercream frosting and cupcakes.
They’re beautiful!! It’s like you can see that warm, delicious flavor incorporated throughout the cupcake.
I also think that the vanilla bean paste adds a stronger, better flavor than vanilla extract. If you haven’t tried it before, I highly recommend giving it a try. It’s not too expensive, and it really elevates the flavor of these cupcakes!
If you don’t want to buy another ingredient or prefer using vanilla extract, that’s ok too! Just be sure to use real vanilla extract. Imitation vanilla just doesn’t do it for me flavor-wise.
Tips for Making the Best Gluten Free Vanilla Cupcakes
- Don’t be afraid to over-mix your batter! Vigorously whisk your batter for a few minutes once it’s made, to help give it structure.
- Let your batter sit for about 30 minutes before baking to help the gluten free flour absorb more moisture from the batter.
- Properly measure your gluten free flour (spoon into the cup measure then level) or use a kitchen scale to measure your dry ingredients.
- Use a cookie scoop to easily fill your cupcake liners.
- Ingredients at room temp mix together better, so be sure you set out any cold ingredients ahead of time.
- Bang your cupcake pan on the counter before putting it in the oven, to bring any air bubbles that are trapped in the batter to the surface.
- Use vanilla bean paste to give your cupcakes an amazing flavor!
Making These Gluten Free Vanilla Cupcakes In Advance & Storage Tips
- Make your cupcakes in advance! If stored unfrosted in an airtight container, they can last for 2 days at room temp, up to a week in the fridge, or up to 3 months in the freezer.
- Make your frosting ahead of time too, or save any leftover frosting! It can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a month, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Be sure to give it a good stir once it thaws to get the consistency nice and smooth again.
- Frosted cupcakes can sit out at room temperature overnight in an airtight container, but I find frosting them right before serving is best.
Let Me Know What You Think!
If you try this recipe for gluten free vanilla cupcakes, I’d love to hear what you think of it! Please leave a rating and let me know your thoughts in the comments section.
Other Gluten Free Recipes You Might Like:
Gluten Free Vanilla Cupcakes
These gluten free vanilla cupcakes are insanely simple to make & equally delicious. They're so yummy you wouldn't even know they're gluten free!
Ingredients
Gluten Free Vanilla Cupcakes
- 1 1/3 cup gluten-free flour (156g)
- 1 cup granulated sugar (200g)
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder (6g)
- 3/4 tsp salt (4g)
- 1/2 cup water (120ml)
- 1/2 cup sour cream, room temperature (127g)
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil (56ml)
- 1 large egg, room temp (56g)
- 2 tsp vanilla bean paste or vanilla (8ml)
Vanilla Bean Buttercream Frosting
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature (113g)
- 1 tsp vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract (4ml)
- 1/4 tsp salt (2g)
- 1 3/4 cups powdered sugar (220g)
- 1 Tbsp heavy cream or whipping cream (15ml)
Instructions
Gluten Free Vanilla Cupcakes
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and place 12 cupcake liners in a cupcake pan.
- Add the gluten free flour, sugar, baking powder and salt to a large bowl and gently whisk together.
- Make a well in the center of your dry ingredients and add the water, sour cream, vegetable oil egg, and vanilla bean paste or extract.
- Whisk together the wet ingredients together until they start to combine, then slowly begin to mix them into the dry ingredients.
- Mix for a couple minutes to help give the batter structure. You don't have to worry about over-mixing because there's no gluten in this batter!
- Let the batter sit for about 30 minutes to give the gluten free flour time to absorb more of the moisture in the batter. This will help prevent the cupcakes from having a gritty texture.
- Fill the cupcake liners about 2/3 way full, dividing the batter evenly between the liners. I like to use a cookie scoop to help me fill them evenly.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let the cupcakes cool for 5 minutes, then move them to a cooling rack to finish cooling.
Vanilla Bean Buttercream
- Beat the butter on a medium speed for 30 seconds with a whisk or paddle attachment until smooth.
- Mix in the vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract and salt on a low speed.
- Slowly mix in the powdered sugar and heavy cream on a low speed until they are fully incorporated. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed with a rubber spatula.
- Continue to mix on low for a minute to make the frosting extra smooth and the desired consistency is reached.
- If the frosting is too thick, add in additional cream (1 Tablespoon at a time). If the frosting is too thin, add in more powdered sugar (quarter of a cup at a time).
- Place the buttercream in a piping bag fit with your favorite frosting tip and pipe large swirls onto the fully cooled cupcakes.
Notes
Making Mini Gluten Free Cupcakes
This recipe can also be used to make mini gluten free cupcakes! One batch of batter makes about 40 mini cupcakes in a mini muffin tin. Bake them for 10-12 minutes at 350 F / 175 C, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
Tips for Making the Best Eyeball Cupcakes
- Ingredients at room temp mix together better. Be sure you set out any cold ingredients ahead of time.
- Properly measure your gluten free flour (spoon into the cup measure and then level) or use a kitchen scale to measure your dry ingredients.
- Use a large cookie scoop to easily fill your cupcake liners. It also makes sure your cupcakes end up being the same height.
- Bang your cupcake pan on the counter before putting it in the oven. This brings any air bubbles that are trapped in the batter to the surface.
- Seal off the top of your piping bags with a rubber band to prevent any frosting from seeping out the top of the bag and make the piping bags easier to use.
Gluten Free Cupcake Variations
To make gluten free and dairy free cupcakes, I recommend using gluten free flour in my dairy free cupcake recipe.
Making These Gluten Free Cupcakes In Advance & Storage Tips
Make your cupcakes in advance! If stored unfrosted in an airtight container, they can last for 2 days at room temp, up to a week in the fridge, or up to 3 months in the freezer
Make your frosting ahead of time too or save any leftover frosting! It can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a month, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Be sure to give it a good stir once it thaws to get the consistency nice and smooth again.
Frosted cupcakes can sit out at room temperature overnight or be stored in the fridge for up to a week in an airtight container. However, I find frosting them right before serving is best.
Nutrition Information
Yield
12Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 269Total Fat 15gSaturated Fat 7gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 7gCholesterol 44mgSodium 266mgCarbohydrates 33gFiber 0gSugar 33gProtein 1g
Linda kraner
Sunday 15th of September 2024
I will be making these vanilla cupcakes....can this be made a white cupcake without the egg yolk?? Thank you linda
Holly
Monday 12th of February 2024
You should be able to print the recipe without all the ads on it.
Chelsweets
Tuesday 13th of February 2024
Hi Molly,
Agreed, and you totally can! If you click the print button underneath the picture on the recipe card, you'll get an ad free version of the recipe that's printer friendly :) Hope that helps, happy baking!
Cassie
Saturday 28th of January 2023
Hello! This is one of my favorite recipes. However, the conversion to frame is not correct. When using grams - there is WAY more than 1 C of sugar in 200g. I’ve done it several times - using cups measurements and using the grams measurement, and they turn out very differently. Any tips?
Chelsweets
Sunday 29th of January 2023
Hi Cassie,
Are you using a US measuring cup? Some countries have slightly different sized cups like the UK and Australia, but a standard US cup of granulated sugar is 200 grams. The only other thing I can think of is that maybe you're overfilling the cup measure, and leveling it flat? Hopefully we'll be able to figure out what's causing your measurement to be so different.
Cassie
Saturday 28th of January 2023
@Cassie, *grams not frame :)
Jessica B
Tuesday 9th of August 2022
I made these exactly as directed except I used less sugar and they are horrible. So gummy and nasty texture and funky taste. I've never had this happen with any recipe so I'm not sure what happened
Chelsweets
Sunday 14th of August 2022
Hi Jessica,
Reducing the amount of sugar will have a big impact on the texture of these cupcakes. Sugar isn't just added for sweetness, it creates tenderness in baked goods and deepens color. This is especially important in GF baked goods, where you don't have gluten to help with the texture of the cupcakes. If you use the amount of sugar this recipe calls for, the texture should turn out great. Hope that helps, happy baking!
Iris
Tuesday 26th of April 2022
Hi! I made the recipe, it's great! Some of the cupcakes have a big air bubble in the bottom. They taste just fine. What could have happened and how can I prevent this from happening again? Thanks!