7 Secrets: Delicious Gluten Free Red Velvet Cupcakes Fail

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Author: Sophie Collins
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Oh, red velvet! Is there anything more tempting? That gorgeous color, the tangy-sweet flavor… it just screams “celebration!” But if you’re like me and have to dodge gluten, finding a truly *delicious* red velvet cupcake can feel impossible. I mean, so many gluten-free versions are either dry, gummy, or just plain… sad. So, I took matters into my own hands, and let me tell you, these delicious gluten free red velvet cupcakes are a game-changer!

I remember this one birthday party – everyone was devouring these amazing-looking red velvet cupcakes, and I was stuck with a fruit plate (bleh!). That’s when I decided I *needed* to create a gluten-free version that was just as good, if not better. And after tons of tweaking (and taste-testing, of course!), I finally nailed it. Trust me, these cupcakes are moist, fluffy, and have that perfect red velvet tang. You won’t even believe they’re gluten-free!

Why You’ll Love These Delicious Gluten Free Red Velvet Cupcakes

Okay, so why *should* you bother making these cupcakes? Let me tell ya – it’s ’cause they’re seriously amazing! But just in case you need more convincing, here’s the lowdown:

The Perfect Gluten-Free Treat

Seriously, you won’t believe these are gluten-free! They’ve got that soft, tender crumb that’s just so satisfying. No weird textures here, promise!

Simple Baking Process for Delicious Gluten Free Red Velvet Cupcakes

Don’t worry if you’re not a baking pro – this recipe is super easy to follow. I’ve broken it down into simple steps, so even beginner bakers can whip up a batch of these beauties.

Rich and Classic Red Velvet Flavor

We’re talkin’ that signature tangy-sweet flavor that makes red velvet so irresistible. The perfect balance of cocoa, vanilla, and a hint of tang – yum!

A Showstopper Dessert

These cupcakes aren’t just delicious, they’re gorgeous too! They’re perfect for birthdays, holidays, or any time you want to impress. Get ready for the compliments!

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Ingredients for Your Delicious Gluten Free Red Velvet Cupcakes

Alright, let’s gather our goodies! Here’s what you’ll need to make these amazing delicious gluten free red velvet cupcakes. Don’t skimp on quality – it makes a difference!

You’ll need: 1 1/4 cups (190g) gluten-free 1:1 baking flour, 3 tablespoons (20g) cocoa powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 cup (200g) sugar, 2 large eggs, 1/4 cup (50g) vegetable oil, 1 tablespoon red food coloring, 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice, 1/4 cup (60g) sour cream, 1/2 cup (125g) milk, 1/2 cup (1 stick) (113g) unsalted butter, softened, 8 oz (226g) cream cheese, softened, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, and 3 cups (390g) powdered sugar. Got it all? Great, let’s bake!

How to Prepare Delicious Gluten Free Red Velvet Cupcakes: Step-by-Step Instructions

Okay, here comes the fun part! Let’s get down to baking these delicious gluten free red velvet cupcakes. Just follow these steps, and you’ll be enjoying a batch of these beauties in no time. Don’t worry, I’ll walk you through it!

Preparing the Batter for Delicious Gluten Free Red Velvet Cupcakes

First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While that’s heating up, line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners. Lightly grease them with cooking spray. Trust me, this helps prevent sticking!

In a medium bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Set that aside for now. In your stand mixer (or a large bowl if you’re going old-school!), beat the eggs and sugar together on medium-high speed for about 3 minutes. You want it light and fluffy – almost like you’re making meringue! While mixing on low, slowly pour in the oil. Add the red food coloring, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. This is where the magic starts to happen!

Now, this is important: gradually add the dry ingredients in 3 parts, alternating with the milk. Start with a third of the dry mix, then add the sour cream and mix until smooth. Add another third of the dry ingredients, followed by half of the milk. Finally, add the last third of the dry mix and the remaining milk. Mix until *just* combined. Don’t overmix, or you’ll end up with tough cupcakes. A few streaks of flour are okay!

Baking Your Perfect Gluten Free Red Velvet Cupcakes

Spoon the batter into the cupcake liners, filling them about ¾ full. Bake for 22-25 minutes. To check if they’re done, insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, you’re golden! If not, give them another minute or two, but keep an eye on them!

Let the cupcakes cool for about 5 minutes in the pan, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool *completely* before frosting. I know it’s tempting to frost them right away, but trust me, you gotta be patient! Warm cupcakes + frosting = melty mess.

Creating the Cream Cheese Frosting for Your Delicious Gluten Free Red Velvet Cupcakes

While the cupcakes are cooling, let’s make that dreamy cream cheese frosting. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until smooth and creamy. Make sure your butter and cream cheese are *really* soft – otherwise, you’ll end up with lumpy frosting. Nobody wants that!

Gradually add in the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing on low speed. Once the sugar is incorporated, increase the speed to high and beat for about 3 minutes, until it’s light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl, then mix for another 30 seconds to make sure everything is well blended. The consistency should be thick but spreadable.

Frosting Your Delicious Gluten Free Red Velvet Cupcakes

Alright, the cupcakes are cool, the frosting is ready… it’s time to decorate! For a fancy touch, transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a star tip. Pipe generous swirls on top of each cupcake. If you don’t have a piping bag, no worries! You can just use a knife or spatula to spread the frosting on. They’ll still taste amazing!

Tips for the Best Delicious Gluten Free Red Velvet Cupcakes

Want to make sure your delicious gluten free red velvet cupcakes turn out *perfect* every time? Here are a few little secrets I’ve learned along the way:

Ingredient Temperature Matters

Seriously! Make sure your eggs, butter, and cream cheese are at room temperature before you start. It really helps everything blend together smoothly, giving you a better batter and a lighter cupcake. Trust me on this one!

Don’t Overmix the Batter

This is HUGE, especially with gluten-free baking. Overmixing develops the gluten (even if it’s the *gluten-free* kind!), which can make your cupcakes tough and dense. Mix until just combined – a few streaks are totally fine!

Cool Cupcakes Completely Before Frosting

I know, I know, the temptation is real! But if you frost warm cupcakes, the frosting will melt into a sugary puddle. Patience, my friend! Let them cool completely, and you’ll be rewarded with perfectly frosted cupcakes.

Measuring Gluten-Free Flour Accurately

Gluten-free flour can be a bit finicky. For best results, I highly recommend weighing it with a kitchen scale. It’s way more accurate than using measuring cups, and it’ll help you get that perfect texture every time. You can find the weights in the ingredient list, so you’re all set!

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Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Delicious Gluten Free Red Velvet Cupcakes

Okay, let’s chat ingredients! Sometimes you gotta make a swap, right? Here’s the lowdown on a few key players in these delicious gluten free red velvet cupcakes.

Gluten-Free Flour Blend

This is important! Make sure you’re using a gluten-free *1:1* baking flour blend. That means it’s designed to replace regular flour cup-for-cup. Not all gluten-free flours are created equal, so this one’s key for the right texture. I like Bob’s Red Mill, but use your fave!

Red Food Coloring

Okay, so the red food coloring is what gives red velvet its signature look, right? But if you’re not a fan of artificial stuff, no worries! You can totally use natural alternatives like beet juice or pomegranate juice. Just keep in mind that it might slightly affect the color and flavor, but hey, it’s all good!

Sour Cream

Don’t have sour cream on hand? No sweat! Plain Greek yogurt works great as a substitute. It’ll give you that same tang and moisture that sour cream provides. Just make sure it’s plain, not vanilla or anything crazy!

FAQ About Delicious Gluten Free Red Velvet Cupcakes

Got questions about these delicious gluten free red velvet cupcakes? I got you! Here are some of the most common things people ask, so you can bake with confidence!

Can I make these Delicious Gluten Free Red Velvet Cupcakes ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can totally bake the cupcakes a day or two in advance. Just let them cool completely, then store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Wait to frost them until you’re ready to serve, though, so the frosting stays fresh and pretty!

How do I store Delicious Gluten Free Red Velvet Cupcakes?

To keep your delicious gluten free red velvet cupcakes super moist, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh for about 2-3 days. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them (frosted or unfrosted) for up to a month. Just thaw them completely before serving!

Can I use a different type of frosting on these Delicious Gluten Free Red Velvet Cupcakes?

Of course! While I’m a huge fan of the classic cream cheese frosting, you can definitely experiment with other options. A simple vanilla buttercream would be delish, or even a chocolate ganache for a super decadent treat! Go wild!

Why are my Delicious Gluten Free Red Velvet Cupcakes dry?

Dry cupcakes are the worst, right? There are a few reasons why this might happen. The most common culprits are overbaking, using too much flour, or not enough liquid. Make sure you’re measuring your flour accurately (weighing is best!), and don’t overbake them. Also, double-check that your oven temperature is accurate. Ovens can be sneaky!

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Storing and Reheating Your Delicious Gluten Free Red Velvet Cupcakes

Got leftovers? Lucky you! To keep these delicious gluten free red velvet cupcakes fresh, pop ’em in an airtight container. They’re best at room temp, but you can also stash them in the fridge. Want a warm cupcake? Zap it in the microwave for a few seconds – but watch out, they get hot fast!

Estimated Nutritional Information for Delicious Gluten Free Red Velvet Cupcakes

Okay, so here’s the deal – each of these delicious gluten free red velvet cupcakes clocks in around 350 calories (give or take!), with roughly 18g of fat, 3g of protein, and 45g of carbs. But hey, it’s an *estimate* – and totally worth it!

Enjoy Your Delicious Gluten Free Red Velvet Cupcakes!

Alright, that’s it! Go ahead, bake a batch of these delicious gluten free red velvet cupcakes and let me know what you think! Leave a comment and tell me how they turned out – and don’t forget to share your pics!

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7 Secrets: Delicious Gluten Free Red Velvet Cupcakes Fail

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  • Author: Sophie Collins
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 60 minutes
  • Yield: 12 cupcakes 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

Make delicious gluten-free red velvet cupcakes.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/4 cups gluten-free 1:1 baking flour (190g)
  • 3 tablespoons cocoa powder (20g)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup sugar (200g)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil (50g)
  • 1 tablespoon red food coloring
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup sour cream (60g)
  • 1/2 cup milk (125g)
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter (113g), softened
  • 8 oz cream cheese (226g), softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • A pinch of salt
  • 3 cups powdered sugar (390g)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners, and lightly grease them with cooking spray.
  2. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
  3. In a stand mixer or large bowl, beat the eggs and sugar together on medium-high speed for about 3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. While mixing on low speed, slowly pour in the oil. Add the red food coloring, vanilla extract, and lemon juice.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients in 3 parts, alternating with the milk. Start by adding a third of the dry mix, then add the sour cream and mix until smooth. Add another third of the dry ingredients, followed by half of the milk. Finally, add the last third of the dry mix and the remaining milk. Mix until everything is well combined.
  5. Spoon the batter into the cupcake liners, filling them about ¾ full. Bake for 22-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  6. Let the cupcakes cool for about 5 minutes in the pan, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
  7. Beat the softened butter and cream cheese together using a hand or stand mixer until smooth and creamy.
  8. Gradually add in the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing on low speed. Once the sugar is incorporated, increase the speed to high and beat for about 3 minutes until light and fluffy.
  9. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl, then mix for another 30 seconds to ensure everything is well-blended.
  10. Transfer the frosting to a piping bag with a star tip, and pipe generous swirls on top of each cooled cupcake.

Notes

  • Use plant-based alternatives for red food coloring.
  • Cool cupcakes completely before frosting.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cupcake
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 30g
  • Sodium: 200mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 45g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 60mg
Hi, I’m Madison!

Nutrition-focused food creator, low-carb advocate, and full-time flavor chaser. I’ve turned my personal journey with low-carb eating into a recipe hub for real people. With easy instructions and wholesome ingredients, I’ll help you eat better one delicious bite at a time.

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