Last Updated on April 27, 2022
If you are looking for a gluten-free vanilla cupcake recipe from scratch, this one is the perfect solution for those with dietary restrictions. Many cupcakes recipes contain gluten, which is problematic for those who are gluten intolerant. Fortunately, this one is both free of gluten and delicious.
The combination of a fluffy vanilla cupcake with smooth, rich cream cheese frosting is hard to resist. You will never know they are gluten-free by taste, as they are packed full of amazing flavor. This simple recipe requires no baking experience, which is great if you are new to baking.
What You Will Need To Make This Gluten-Free Vanilla Cupcake Recipe
Ingredients for the Cake
- 2/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups gluten-free all-purpose baking flour
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/4 cups 2% milk
Ingredients for the Frosting
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1 package cream cheese (8 ounces), softened
- 3 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 to 2 tablespoons 2% milk
Equipment
- Cupcake liners
- Two cupcake trays
- Large bowl
- Electric mixer
- Medium bowl
- Whisk
- Wire rack
Amazon Basics Nonstick Muffin Baking Pan
Step by Step Instructions
Step One: Prepare the Cupcake Tins and Preheat the Oven
Line two cupcake tins with liners. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step Two: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl with an electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugar. Mix until they are fully combined and are light and fluffy in texture.
Step Three: Add the Eggs and Vanilla
Once the butter and sugar have been creamed, add the eggs in one at a time. Beat well after each addition. Next, add the vanilla and mix until fully incorporated.
Step Four: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, use a whisk to combine the gluten-free all-purpose baking flour, baking powder, xanthan gum, and salt.
Step Five: Add the Dry Ingredients and Milk to the Creamed Mixture
Alternate adding the dry ingredients and milk to the creamed mixture, beating well after each addition. Mix until just fully combined.
Step Six: Bake the Gluten-Free Vanilla Cupcakes
Fill the cupcake liners 3/4 full with batter. Bake them for 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool the cupcakes in the pans for 10 minutes before moving them to the wire racks to cool all the way.
Step Seven: Make the Frosting
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the butter, cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Slowly add in enough milk until it reaches your desired consistency. Once the cupcakes are fully cool, decorate them with the frosting.
Servings and Preparation – Gluten-Free Vanilla Cupcake Recipe
Tips and Tricks for Making Gluten-free Cupcakes
Gluten-free all-purpose baking flour can be found in most grocery stores or online. It is considered to be one of the best types of gluten-free flour for baking. Other types include coconut flour, almond flour, brown rice flour, tapioca flour, and amaranth flour.
Most brands of baking powder are naturally gluten-free, but some are made with wheat starch, which does contain gluten. The starch is often added to help the baking powder last longer and store better.
Be sure to check the label of the baking powder before you buy it to make sure it is wheat-free. Looks for brands that have cornstarch or even potato starch. You can also make your own by adding one part sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), one part cornstarch, and two parts cream of tartar together.
Since the frosting on these cupcakes contains cream cheese, they should be kept in the fridge. Store them in an air-tight container for 3-4 days. Allow them to reach room temperature before serving.
You can also freeze them for up to six months, allowing them to thaw overnight in the fridge before serving. It is best to freeze undecorated cupcakes, but you can also freeze decorated ones as well. Be sure to carefully wrap them in plastic wrap and cover them with aluminum foil or place them in a gallon Ziploc bag.
Delicious Gluten-Free Vanilla Cupcake Recipe From Scratch
Equipment
- Cupcake liners
- Two cupcake trays
- Medium bowl
- Wire rack
Ingredients
Ingredients for the Cake
- 2/3 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups gluten-free all-purpose baking flour
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/4 cups 2% milk
Ingredients for the Frosting
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 1 package cream cheese 8 ounces, softened
- 3 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 to 2 tablespoons 2% milk
Instructions
- Prepare the Cupcake Tins and Preheat the Oven - Line two cupcake tins with liners. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cream Butter and Sugar - In a large bowl with an electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugar. Mix until they are fully combined and are light and fluffy in texture.
- Add the Eggs and Vanilla - Once the butter and sugar have been creamed, add the eggs in one at a time. Beat well after each addition. Next, add the vanilla and mix until fully incorporated.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients - In a medium bowl, use a whisk to combine the gluten-free all-purpose baking flour, baking powder, xanthan gum, and salt.
- Add the Dry Ingredients and Milk to the Creamed Mixture - Alternate adding the dry ingredients and milk to the creamed mixture, beating well after each addition. Mix until just fully combined.
- Bake the Gluten-Free Vanilla Cupcakes - Fill the cupcake liners 3/4 full with batter. Bake them for 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool the cupcakes in the pans for 10 minutes before moving them to the wire racks to cool all the way.
- Make the Frosting - In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the butter, cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Slowly add in enough milk until it reaches your desired consistency. Once the cupcakes are fully cool, decorate them with the frosting.
Notes
Delicious Gluten-Free Vanilla Cupcake Recipe from Scratch
These gluten-free vanilla cupcakes are a wonderful dessert for anyone who has a gluten intolerance. The combination of the cream cheese frosting with the vanilla cupcake is perfect for any event. They are also easy to make, so you don’t have to worry about having any prior baking experience.
Did you enjoy this tutorial on how to make gluten-free vanilla cupcakes from scratch? If so, please comment your thoughts down below and share this post with your friends and family.
Ever since she was a young girl, Anna has been a lover of desserts. As an adult, she enjoys
baking a variety of desserts from cakes, cookies, brownies, bread, and more from scratch. She
enjoys sharing her passion for baking with others who also have a sweet tooth. From properly
measuring ingredients to making sure they are the correct temperature, Anna knows the
importance small details can make in baking. She wants to share her experience with others in
hopes they can make the most delicious baked goods. When she’s not busy blogging, Anna
enjoys trying new recipes in the kitchen.
