If you love eggnog, these fluffy gluten free eggnog cupcakes will make your day. Feel free to use regular or dairy-free eggnog in this recipe! Sweet, spicy flavors and creamy frosting make this a popular holiday dessert!
I am excited to share my homemade fluffy, light gluten free eggnog cupcakes. Nobody will know these cupcakes are gluten free! If you love eggnog as much as we do over the holidays, check out these Gluten Free Eggnog Recipes!
Why Make These Cupcakes:
- These gluten free eggnog cupcakes are so light and fluffy. One bite and you will be hooked.
- They are loaded with Christmas holiday eggnog flavors and look beautiful on a dessert table.
- You can use the eggnog cake batter to make cupcakes, a sheet cake, or a decorative layer cake.
For the best cupcake recipes, check out my Gluten Free Cupcakes resource guide!!
This is one of my favorite gluten-free flour blends for cookies, cakes, pie crust, biscuits, and muffins! (Do not use this flour blend for yeast recipes.)
Ingredient Notes:
- Gluten Free Flour Blend – I have used both King Arthur Measure for Measure and Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 GF Blend in this recipe. That doesn’t mean others will not work; I have not tested other flours.
- Cane Sugar and Powdered Sugar (for the frosting.)
- Almond Flour – Be sure to use almond flour and not almond meal. See the Substitutions section below if you are nut-free to see how to adapt the recipe.
- Xanthan Gum or Guar Gum – if your gluten free blend doesn’t contain one of these, you will need to add it. See the Substitutions below for a gum-free option.
- Ground spices (cinnamon and nutmeg.)
- Butter – Use unsalted butter. See the Substitutions for a dairy-free alternative.
- Eggs – Use large-size eggs.
- Vanilla Extract – Use pure vanilla extract if you can. Imitation vanilla should be okay in this recipe.
- Eggnog – You can use regular or dairy-free eggnog to make this gluten-free eggnog cupcake recipe.
Substitutions:
- To make this recipe gum-free, use my DIY Gluten Free Flour Blend. It uses psyllium husk instead of xanthan or guar gum.
- To make this recipe nut-free, omit the almond flour and add ¼ cup of the gluten-free flour blend.
- To make this recipe dairy-free, use plant-based butter (for the frosting, too!) and dairy-free eggnog.
Types Of Eggnog:
Did you know you can buy eggnog with regular milk or dairy-free with almond, oat, or soy milk? Having a variety of eggnogs helps give people with food allergies a chance to enjoy their favorite holiday flavors.
Eggnog adds sweet spice to these desserts. Remember the eggnog in my homemade gluten free eggnog chocolate chip scones recipe from last week? Eggnog is so good to bake with!
Recipe Step-By-Step Directions:
Step 1: Add your dry ingredients to a large
Step 2: In a smaller bowl, add your wet ingredients. Whisk to blend.
Step 3: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix gently. Here is a shot of the batter consistency. See how light and creamy it looks?
🔑 Sandi says: Mix until the batter is barely mixed so that your cupcakes are light and fluffy.
Step 4: Put the cupcake batter into parchment paper cupcake liners. Fill each cup ¾ full with the cupcake batter. I usually recommend parchment paper liners because the cupcake will not stick to the wrapper.
Step 5: Bake at 350º F for 20-25 minutes.
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 must be baked longer.
Step 5: Allow the gluten free eggnog cupcakes to cool on a cooling rack. Don’t frost the cupcakes until they are completely cooled.
Step 6: Add the frosting ingredients to a stand mixer and whip until they are fluffy. I have used both regular butter and plant-based butter with a great turnout.
A Word About Gluten Free Sprinkles:
It is important to know what sprinkles are gluten free. Most do not have sugar added, but many are made on shared equipment. You can also check out my list of Gluten Free Sprinkles brands to choose the one best for you.
Tips and Recipe FAQ:
Store the cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep fresh for up to 3 days.
You can freeze these cupcakes. I recommend freezing them unfrosted in a freezer bag. Make the frosting when you plan to serve the cupcakes.
More Gluten Free Holiday Recipes:
- Gluten Free Eggnog Bread Pudding
- Gluten Free Gingerbread Cookies
- Gluten Free Eggnog Skinny Cheesecake
- Easy Gluten Free Eggnog Bundt Cake
Fluffy Gluten Free Eggnog Cupcakes
Ingredients
- 1 cup Gluten Free Flour Blend * see note
- ½ cup almond flour * see note
- ¾ cup cane sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder aluminum-free
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup eggnog * see note
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- 2 large eggs
- dash salt
For Frosting
- 1 ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 2-4 tablespoons eggnog
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon groundnutmeg
- ½ cup unsalted butter regular dairy or plant-based, softened
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350º F.
- In a mixer, add all wet ingredients.
- Slowly add in dry ingredients while beating on medium high speed.
- Line a muffin tin with paper cupcake liners.
- Use a soup scoop to pour batter into each, so they are about ¾ full.
- Bake for 20-22 minutes.
- Remove and put on a cooling rack.
For the frosting:
- Put powdered sugar into a mixer. Power it on low and add eggnog.
- Turn the speed up until the icing is whipped.
- Spread onto cupcakes when they are cool.
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 make this recipe dairy-free, substitute the butter for vegan butter and dairy-free eggnog.
- I highly suggest using almond flour and not almond meal. Almond meal is more coarse and will make your cupcakes grainy.
- To make this recipe nut-free, omit the almond flour and substitute additional ¼ cup gluten free flour blend.
- To test for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the cupcakes. 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 airtight container or up to 4 months in the freezer.
SPECIAL NOTE
Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn’t test, you may need to adjust your moisture levels in your baked goods.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.
This recipe was updated from an older December 2017 post with better instructions and details.
Made these with my daughter who has celiac. Very easy to make and delicious. Definitely recommend.
I am really glad you had some fun making these cupcakes. I hope you have a wonderful holiday!
Have you ever baked this in a bunt pan? How would you suggest it?
Hi Colleen, I haven’t but I think you can definitely do bake it in one. Just test occasionally as it will take more time to bake.
These sound really good.We have an almond allergy. Is there a substitute for the almond flour?
Hi Beth, you can substitute 1/4 cup additional gluten free flour blend instead of the almond flour. I hope this helps.
Sandi
These look just delicious, I love eggnog!
Thank you so much Debra 🙂
Oh my gosh! These look amazing. I just have to try them!
Thank you so much Kristen 🙂
That frosting looks absolutely amazing. I love the little star sprinkles too 🙂
Thank you Patty. The sprinkles are from Wilton.
Eggnog > pumpkin spice. Seriously. These look amazing. I make some pretty mean eggnog cookies at Christmas, but cupcakes?? I need to up my game 🙂
It is definitely my time of year…I love pumpkin and eggnog!
I would love the try these. I never had Eggnog before. But this recipe makes me want to get the Eggnog bottle soon from the store. Thanks for sharing. Those little stars look so cute.
The stars are perfect for the holidays 🙂
Those look awesome and I’m going straight on-line and look for those sprinkles. Stunning photos!
Wilton makes the sprinkles Pam…thanks for stopping by 🙂
What should the batter consistency be?
Hi Brandy, I have one photo of the batter. I added it to the post even though it isn’t very good so you and other readers can get an idea of the consistency. Take care. Sandi
my favorite drink and my favorite dessert in one.
Agreed 🙂
Eggnog all the things! I’m no baker, but I would love to try these out.
I hope you like them Jesse 🙂