These gluten free lemon curd filled cupcakes are a delicious treat that my son loved. Deliciously moist vanilla cupcakes filled with lemon curd and topped off with a vanilla coconut buttercream frosting. I promise you will want to make this recipe over and over again!
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I created these gluten free filled cupcakes for my lunch group, Ladies Who Lunch. I try to attend at least once a month, and I was so excited to try out a new dessert recipe on the ladies. I even tried to be nice and I purposefully left 3 extra cupcakes, one for Mr. Fearless Dining and each child on the kitchen counter.
At least that was how it was supposed to work. It was a Wednesday, and that is early dismissal day at school. My son came home and promptly ate two of the cupcakes....and part of the third. I couldn't believe he did that :-).
I didn't expect him to devour all of the gluten free cupcakes. When his sister came home from school, she was so mad.
These were one of the best gluten free cupcakes I have made to date and nobody in the family got to try them. This is one of the reasons I remade this recipe recently. If you love cupcakes, wait until you try this Gluten Free Coconut Cupcakes recipe!
Why these cupcakes are great:
These delicious gluten free cupcakes are made with an incredible lemon filling for cupcakes. We scoop out the middles of these cupcakes making a place for creamy lemon curd. If you haven't had cupcakes filled with lemon curd, you must give this recipe a try!!
Top them with a thick and creamy buttercream frosting and you have cupcakes that are perfect for any occasion!!
For the best cupcake recipes, check out my Gluten Free Cupcakes resource guide!! (And if lemons are your thing then don't miss these amazing Gluten Free Lemon Desserts recipes!!
What you need to make these:
- Gluten free flour blend - If your blend doesn't contain Xanthan or Guar Gum, you will need to add 1 tsp.
- Pure vanilla extract - I do not recommend using imitation vanilla.
- Coconut milk - I used coconut milk but other dairy-free kinds of milk will work.
- Shredded coconut - Use unsweetened.
Recipe step by step directions:
Step 1: First, add your dry ingredients to a bowl and whisk to blend.
I tested this recipe using Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1 Gluten Free Flour Blend and King Arthur's Measure for Measure Gluten Free Blend. That doesn't mean others will not work, I just have not tested other flours.
Step 2: Add the wet ingredients to a bowl. Whisk together the wet ingredients.
Step 3: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until "just mixed".
If you overmix your batter, your cupcakes will be denser and not as light and fluffy!
Step 4: Use paper liners and fill each ¾ filled with cupcake batter. Bake at 350º F for 18-20 minutes.
Allow the cupcakes to cool on a cooling rack while you make the frosting. These gluten free coconut cupcakes are moist and delicious. Lemon and coconut flavors combine in every bite :-).
Filling cupcakes is much easier than you may think. If you have been reading my blog for a long time, you know I love kitchen gadgets.
Have you seen this fun new kitchen gadget? It lets you easily scoop out the middle of a cupcake to add a filling. It is perfect for scooping out middles and it allows you to add a uniform amount of filling inside each cupcake hole.
I wish I could say we used lemons from our lemon tree for this recipe, but unfortunately, I have yet to make my own homemade lemon curd.
It is on my very large to-do list, but for now, I would recommend buying a lemon curd or making one with this lemon curd recipe.
Top these lemon filled cupcakes with frosting and enjoy!!
Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ:
Although I don't recommend using a standing mixer, many do prefer it. I find a standing mixer turns out denser baked goods because it removes the air bubbles from mixing the batter. If you do use one, you will want to add your wet ingredients first. Turn off the mixer and then slowly mix in the dry ingredients.
I like to use the toothpick test. Insert a clean toothpick into the center of the cupcakes. If the toothpick comes back clean, the cupcakes are done baking. If there is batter or crumbs on the toothpick, bake an additional 4-5 minutes.
The cupcakes themselves are dairy free. To make a dairy-free frosting, use vegan butter.
These cupcakes will keep up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Make sure to store them in an air-tight container.
Fun filling ideas:
There are so many tasty ways to fill these gluten free cupcakes. I love the lemon curd, but here are some additional ideas to try:
- Fill with M&Ms for a surprise piñata cupcake.
- Nutella
- Vanilla pudding
- Your favorite jams like raspberry or strawberry
Reader Rave:
Made the vanilla cupcakes for my 8 year old grandson who has to avoid so many of his favorite foods but these were a hit! He was going to end of season Pee Wee baseball pool party for his team so gluten free pizza and these cupcakes for him to take. I made a butter cream frosting using monk fruit sweetener since we have to cut down in sugar. I used less sugar in his cupcakes, too! So glad I found Fearless Dining because I’ve wasted a lot of expensive ingredients trying to find recipes that were fit to eat."
Carol M., Facebook user
More Gluten Free Cupcake Recipes to Try:
You may also love these Gluten Free Vanilla Cupcakes and these Gluten Free Chocolate Cupcakes recipes.
📖 Recipe
Gluten Free Lemon Curd Coconut Cupcakes
Ingredients
Cupcakes
- 3 large eggs
- 1 ¼ cups coconut milk
- 2 cups gluten free flour blend
- 1 cup organic sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- dash salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- lemon curd for filling
Frosting
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons water add two and see if you need another
- ½ cup butter softened
- optional 1 teaspoon coconut extract
- ⅓ cup shredded coconut for sprinkling on top
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- In a mixer, add all wet ingredients and mix for 2 minutes.
- Reduce speed and add dry ingredients slowly.
- Mix well.
- Put paper liners into a muffin tin and fill ¾ the way with batter.
- Bake for 20 minutes until done.
- Remove and put on cooling rack.
- Use scooper to remove the center of each cupcake.
- Fill each hole with lemon curd.
- In a mixer, add frosting ingredients and mix.
- Spread onto each cupcake.
Notes
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.
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(*This post was updated from an older post I wrote in February 2016. I reshot the pictures and added a lot more details in the instructions on how to make these cupcakes. You can see a huge difference in the new and old pictures!)
Diane
These cupcakes were amazing! My non-GF friends loved them too. Once the frosting is made, decorate the cupcakes with it right away so the frosting does not separate.
Sandi Gaertner
I am so glad you and your friends loved these cupcakes. Thank you so much for coming back to let me know!
Linda Tanzini
Sorry if this a foolish question but do you use coconut milk from a can or the refrigerated kind in a box? Love your recipes and can't wait to try this one, perfect for spring! Thank's so much, Linda
Sandi Gaertner
Hi Linda, I do not use canned for this recipe, you can use almond or coconut milk (from the refrigerated section of the grocery store.) Thank you so much.
Lisa M Griffith
I just made these today. I have had a gluten allergy for several years and I fear baking something I know won't taste good. Well I thought after reading the recipe for the cupcakes, and lemon curd, I would try them. I can't believe how great that they are. So moist, and I really didn't want to put the lemon curd in them. So, after thinking about it, I did add the curd, but left off the coconut on top. I love them and so does my grandson, that is not gluten free. I used King Author 1 to 1 gluten free flour to make mine. I will keep this recipe and make them several times, and thank you so much for sharing.
Sandi Gaertner
You made my week Lisa, thank you so much for coming back to tell me you liked this recipe :-). I am so glad you like it.
Erin Dee
These cupcakes look so perfect! Love the coconut frosting you used for these! And the lemon curd surprise in the center is wonderful!
Sandi Gaertner
Thank you so much Erin 🙂