Gluten Free Red Velvet Cupcakes

Posted on February 8, 2021May 15, 2021

These gluten free red velvet cupcakes are a show stopping, easy mix dessert that everyone will love. Top with cream cheese frosting for a melt in your mouth flavor that keeps these cupcakes from being too sweet!

Ingredients:

The Best Gluten Free Flour for Cupcakes:

For this recipe you will want to use a 1 to 1 flour blend that includes xanthan gum. If your recipe does not include xanthan gum then be sure to add ¼ teaspoon to the dry ingredients when mixing. I tested this recipe with a rice flour based blend and my personal favorite for all my baking is the Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 Baking Blend. I recommend weighing your flour, as gluten free flour is finicky for consistent measuring and a scale makes a world of difference for consistent results in gluten free baking! I don’t bother sifting my flour for this recipe, but if you don’t have a scale to weigh the flour then begin by fluffing the flour with a fork, then, using a spoon, gently scoop the flour into your measuring cup. Lastly, use a knife to scrape off the overflow and brush the flour level with your measuring cup.

Sour Cream:

Most red velvet cupcake recipes call for buttermilk to aide in giving these cupcakes a distinct and unique flavor and in the leavening process. However, for gluten free red velvet cupcakes, following the traditional method did not produce great results. Sour Cream made the perfect substitute, contributing that same unique to red velvet flavor, while at the same time cutting back the amount of liquid into a form that works in tandem with the flour blend for a fluffy moist cupcake.

Cocoa Powder

Red velvet cupcakes are not a chocolate cupcake, but the subtle hint of cocoa powder adds just the right amount of teasing flavor to keep you guessing and wanting more. The cocoa powder also works to aide in the development of the perfect color and, should you choose not to use food coloring, then pick a cocoa powder with more of red tones, like a natural cocoa powder, instead of a dutch-processed cocoa powder. If you want to see all the different varieties of cocoa powder and learn more about how they react in your baking then check out this wonderful article about cocoa powder from King Arthur Baking!

Food Coloring

To make these cupcakes truly red, then you will need to add food coloring. I like to use a red gel food coloring as you need less of it, but the liquid drops work as well., though you will need about 1 Tablespoon extra of liquid drops.

Some people like to use beets for red velvet cupcakes to avoid the red dye. To do this you will need to peel and steam the beets until soft, and then puree them (about ½ Cup). The result is a bit more of a pink than red, and you will notice some “earthy” flavor from the beets. Personally I don’t love the flavor outside of a chocolate cake, so I would stick to the red toned cocoa color if you want to avoid the dye. If you choose to not use the food coloring then your red velvet cupcakes will turn brown, but still taste absolutely delightful!

How to Make Cupcakes From Scratch

• Mix dry ingredients in a small bowl
• Whisk together wet ingredients in mixer with whisk attachment 
• Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until combined
• Portion into lined muffin tin
• Bake then let fully cool before frosting.

Red Velvet Cupcakes With Cream Cheese Frosting

Cream cheese frosting is a necessity for making a red velvet cupcake complete, and this gluten free version is no exception. This recipe includes the perfect cream cheese frosting that has just the slightest bit of sour cream in it to keep with the red velvet flavors.

The key to cream cheese frosting is to soften the butter and cream cheese before working with it. If you do not soften them to room temperature then you will have lumps in your frosting and it will not beat up as smooth and fluffy.

Once the frosting is made, then let it cool in the fridge 15 minutes before topping the cupcakes.

This frosting can also be made the day before and kept in the fridge until ready to use. Once you are ready to use the frosting, then give it a thorough stir to smooth and combine any settled ingredients. You can spread the frosting directly on the cupcakes with a knife if you want or use a decorating tip. I like to use a pastry bag (or a plastic bag with the corner cut off) with a 1m decorating tip. Here is the set I use. This tip makes beautiful large swirls perfect for cupcakes. Add any additional sprinkles or decorations as desired!

Storing your Cupcakes:

Red velvet cupcakes can be made in advance. If you are planning on using them right away, then they can be stored, before frosting, at room temperature. You can store them unfrosted for up to 2 days, covered at room temperature.

If you are wanting to freeze the cupcakes, then allow them to fully cool. Once they are fully cooled, wrap each cupcake, unfrosted individually in plastic wrap and store in the freezer for up to one month.

Let thaw before frosting and serving the cupcakes.

The red velvet cupcakes that have been frosted with cream cheese frosting should be kept, covered in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Trouble shooting:

Why are my red velvet cupcakes dry?

The biggest culprit of dry cupcakes is not measuring the flour correctly. The best option is to weigh your flour, otherwise be sure to follow the above mentioned directions for measuring your flour without a scale. 

Every brand of flour varies a bit, if you are not using the same brand I use, then try cutting the recipe back by a couple tablespoons.

The next biggest culprit of dry cupcakes is over-baking them. These cupcakes took 20 minutes in my oven, but every oven varies slightly. These cupcakes are done when a tooth-pick inserted in the center has a few dry crumbs on it. The tooth-pick should not have gummy batter on it, but if it comes out very clean and the cupcakes have much noticeable browning on them, then they are probably over-baked.

If you’re interested in more great dessert recipes then try these!

• Ultimate Gluten Free Pie Crust
• Pear Cheesecake with Ginger Spice
• Golden Raisin Oatmeal Cookies with Chocolate Chips

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