These gluten free chocolate cupcakes are so chocolaty, so good. If you love chocolate, this easy gluten free chocolate cupcake recipe is for you. These cupcakes are moist, chocolaty, and just plain irresistible!
For the best cupcake recipes, check out my Gluten Free Cupcakes resource guide!!
Click for Table of Contents:
Our family loves to spend time together in the kitchen, and if you recall my delicious Gluten Free Vanilla Cake recipe, my daughter has been "hired" to decorate my gluten free desserts look beautiful! She is a big fan of the British Baking show and has all sorts of fun decorating ideas.
This easy gluten free chocolate cupcake recipe is really easy to make. Grab your kids and head to the kitchen :-).
Why these cupcakes are great:
This is a post that so few ever saw outside of Halloween. I knew I had to update it because these cupcakes drool-worthy and they are perfect for many events besides holidays.
- School Parties - Teachers and kids will go crazy for the sweet goodness of these gluten free cupcakes.
- Bridal Showers - Nothing like having an amazing bridal shower and serving these stunning cupcakes to the guests.
- Community events - These gluten free cupcakes will shock people when they find out they don’t have gluten. Plus, they look so elegant!
Are you ready to see how easy these gluten free chocolate cupcakes are to make?
Ingredient notes:
- Gluten free flour blend - I have tested this recipe with King Arthur Measure for Measure GF and Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1 GF blend.That doesn't mean others will not work, I just have not tested other flours.
- Xanthan gum - If your gluten free flour blend doesn’t contain Xanthan Gum or Guar Gum, please add 1 teaspoon.
- Butter - These cupcakes are dairy-free except for the frosting. To make your frosting dairy-free, substitute the butter for vegan butter.
What cocoa powder is gluten free?
These gluten free chocolate cupcakes are sinfully delicious! Every bite is a chocoholic’s dream because it is so sweet and flavorful. One of the reasons these cupcakes are so chocolaty good is because of the cocoa powder I use. Here are a few of my favorite brands:
Recipe step by step directions:
Step 1: The first step to make this chocolate cupcake recipe is to add your dry ingredients to a bowl. Whisk to blend.
I have tested two gluten free flour blends in this recipe. I liked King Arthur Gluten Free Measure for Measure and Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1 Gluten Free Flour Blend. This doesn't mean other blends won't work, I just haven't tested any others. Try to avoid flour blends that are high in starch.
Step 2: In a separate bowl, add the wet ingredients and whisk to mix. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until barely mixed. Overmixing can cause these cupcakes to be denser.
This is what your chocolate cupcake batter consistency will look like.
Step 3: Scoop your cupcake batter into parchment paper lined muffin tin cups.
Step 4: Bake the cupcakes for 20-22 minutes at 350º F. You will know the cupcakes are done when you can insert a toothpick in the middle and the toothpick comes up clean. (If there is batter on the toothpick, it will need to bake a little longer.)
Step 5: Cool on a cooling rack. The gluten free chocolate cupcakes will bake and be very moist.
You can use frosting tips to decorate these gluten free chocolate cupcakes in so many different ways. Have fun and experiment to see what looks best to you!
You can top with the buttercream frosting I include, or make this Cream Cheese Frosting recipe.
This gluten free chocolate cupcake recipe was originally written for a Halloween post back in October 2016.
Substitutions:
- If you would like to add a little protein to balance out the sugar, substitute ½ cup almond flour and reduce the gluten-free flour blend to 1 cup.
- Add white or dark chocolate chips to the cupcake batter.
- If it isn't Halloween, feel free to skip the gruesome decor.
Optional topping ideas:
Here are a few ideas for garnish ideas to add to these gluten free chocolate cupcakes:
- Raspberries - Add a fresh, ripe raspberry to the very top of the cupcake. It will look stunning!
- Chocolate shavings - You can use dark, milk or white chocolate to sprinkle over the top of the cupcake. These cupcakes are very sweet, so don’t go crazy.
- Sprinkles - You can never go wrong with a few sprinkles.
- Strawberry - Adding a strawberry is perfect to give the cupcake a romantic look!
Top tips:
Here are a few tips to help you make sure that your cupcakes are tasty and moist every time.
- Don’t stir the batter too much. Often people think that they need to keep mixing it and that adds additional air to the mix. This creates a less than stellar cupcake.
- Use quality ingredients. I know that food can get expensive, but when it comes to baking, you should spend the extra money on quality ingredients.
- Room temperature ingredients - If the ingredients are too cold it can affect how they bake. Allow butter and other cold ingredients to sit at room temperature before mixing.
- Use a large cookie scoop to put the batter in the cupcake tin. Then you will have gorgeous uniform cupcakes.
- Don’t overbake or bake at too high of a temperature. Double-check your oven temperature and check the cupcakes often to ensure you don’t over bake. Otherwise, they will turn out dry and not as flavorful.
Recipe FAQ:
To test for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of a cupcake. If the toothpick comes out clean, it is done baking. If you see batter or crumbs, the cupcakes need to bake longer.
There are a few options to store the gluten free cupcakes. First, you can store them frosted or unfrosted in an airtight container on your counter. If for some reason you do not have an airtight container, you can wrap them with plastic wrap. Make sure to use several sheets of plastic wrap to ensure that air doesn’t get to the cupcakes.
Due to the dairy in the frosting, you should store the leftover frosting in the fridge. Additionally, if you have frosted all the cupcakes, store them in the refrigerator as well.
Yes, you can freeze cupcakes for 2-3 months. Make sure they have, and you store them in an airtight container. Do not frost them until you are ready to eat them. When you are prepared to use them, defrost on the counter and frost as needed.
Freezing them ahead of time makes your life even easier if you are planning a big birthday party, bridal shower or community event. You can make large batches and freeze them the day you need to serve them.
More Gluten Free Cupcake Recipes:
Reader Rave:
Omg I love this recipe best homemade cupcakes I’ve made 10/10 Recommend making these!"
Rachel C., Pinterest User.
If you tried this recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave me a rating and a comment. I LOVE hearing from you!! You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest to see even more delicious recipes!
📋 Recipe
Gluten Free Chocolate Cupcakes
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¾ cup sugar
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder * see note
- 1 ¼ cup gluten free flour blend * see note
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup yogurt
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil
- 3 large eggs
- For Frosting:
- ½ cup butter * see note
- 3 cups Powdered Sugar
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 4 tablespoons milk (*I added more to get the thickness I wanted 1 TB at a time.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350º F.
- In a mixing bowl, add all wet ingredients (up to the butter) and mix on medium speed.
- Gradually add in the dry ingredients, turning the mixer to low to add these. Once they are blended, increase the speed to medium.
- Add paper cupcake liners to a muffin tin. Fill each ¾ full of the batter.
- Bake for 20 minutes until done.
- Remove the cupcakes from the oven. Take the cupcakes out of the tin and put onto a cooling rack to cool off.
- In a mixer, add powdered sugar. Add powdered sugar, food coloring of choice, and milk. Mix on low. Add more milk gradually until you get the consistency you want for your monster frosting.
- Pipe the frosting onto the cupcake and decorate with googly eyes, red sparkle gel frosting, and a candy knife. (All of these are by Wilton.)
Notes
- I have tested this recipe with King Arthur Measure for Measure GF and Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1 GF blend. That doesn't mean others will not work, I just have not tested other flours.
- If your gluten free flour blend doesn’t contain Xanthan Gum or Guar Gum, please add 1 teaspoon.
- To test for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of a cupcake. If the toothpick comes out clean, it is done baking. If you see batter or crumbs, the cupcakes need to bake longer.
- These cupcakes will keep up to 4 days in an air-tight container, or up to 4 months in the freezer.
- My favorite brands of gluten free cocoa powder are Rodelle, Anthony's, and Ghirardelli.
Nutrition
If you love the recipes you are finding on my blog, I would love for you to sign up for my newsletter (and get my free chocolate e-cookbook!)
Beth
These look so good! Chocolate frosting and chocolate cake is my favorite! Great recipe Sandi!
Sandi Gaertner
Thank you so much Beth. Enjoy 🙂
Jules Shepard
The Halloween cupcakes are just the cutest (in a scary kinda way)! Thanks for resharing your recipe - can never have enough chocolate!
Sandi Gaertner
LOL, my kids had fun, this was the first year they were okay with scary.
Laura
Goodness those chocolate cupcakes look divine! I could inhale the whole lot of them!
Sandi Gaertner
I will send some your way 🙂
Jenni
These look spectacular, Sandi! The perfect party cupcake!
Sandi Gaertner
Thank you so much Jenni 🙂