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Home Β» Baked Goods Β» 16 Gluten-Free Birthday Cake and Cupcake Ideas

March 2, 2023

16 Gluten-Free Birthday Cake and Cupcake Ideas

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Whether you’re looking for a show-stopping layer cake, moist cupcakes, an easy snack cake or quick microwavable mug cake, one of these gluten-free birthday treats will wow the star (and guests!) of the birthday celebration. Many of these homemade desserts use an easy-to-find, store-bought gluten-free flour blend, and several are dairy-free too!

1. Fluffy, Light Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Vanilla Cake

This is the only gluten-free and dairy-free vanilla cake recipe you will ever need, trust me! It is rich in flavor, moist, fluffy, and so delicious. Perfect for birthdays and special celebrations, this versatile vanilla cake comes together in under an hour. Gluten-free baking tips included!
Fluffy, Light Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Vanilla Cake
2 layer gluten free dairy free vanilla cake with vanilla butter cream frosting and pink ganache drip on sides on white cake stand. Cake server pulling out a slice on left. Cake slices on white plates in foreground and background.
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2. Super Moist Gluten-Free Red Velvet Cake

This gluten free red velvet cake is incredibly moist and fluffy and is a showstopper dessert with it's gorgeous burgundy color. Add my cream cheese frosting for the perfect traditional red velvet cake you've been craving.
Super Moist Gluten-Free Red Velvet Cake
2 layer gluten free red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting on white cake stand. Cake server and pink napkin in front. Stack of plates with forks on left.
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3. Gluten-Free Chocolate Orange Loaf Cake

This chocolate orange loaf cake is super simple to make but will satisfy a chocolate lover. Add frosting or slather it in a simple but beautiful chocolate ganache. No need to worry about stacking a layer cake with this one.
Gluten-Free Chocolate Orange Loaf Cake
gluten and dairy free chocolate loaf cake with chocolate ganache coating and white choclate ganache drizzle. Orange slices on left and in back.
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4. Fluffy and Moist Gluten-Free Coconut Layer Cake

This gluten-free coconut cake is moist, rich, fluffy and coconutty. The recipe is also dairy-free and soon to be one of your favorites. Using canned coconut milk and shredded coconut, it’s full of flavor!
Fluffy and Moist Gluten-Free Coconut Layer Cake
Slice of gluten free coconut cake on white plate. Fork reaching in from right cutting into slice. Cake on plates and gray napkin in background.
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5. Gluten-Free Lemon Layer Cake

This high-rated gluten-free lemon cake is deliciously moist and dairy-free. The recipe makes 2 tall layers for a cake that is perfect for a birthday.
Gluten-Free Lemon Layer Cake
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6. Moist, Fluffy Gluten-Free Carrot Cake

ο»ΏThis gluten-free carrot layer cake is so incredibly moist and fluffy. The easy recipe is also dairy-free and mixes up in one bowl for fast clean up.
Moist, Fluffy Gluten-Free Carrot Cake
Two layer gluten-free carrot cake with cream cheese frosting and carrot decoration on white cake stand. Slice of cake on cakes server on left. Stack of white plates with forts on left, wood board with fresh carrots in back right.
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7. Gluten-Free Funfetti Cupcakes

These gluten-free funfetti cupcakes are moist, fluffy and scream birthday. They have a vanilla cake base and are mixed up in just one bowl. Information on gluten-free rainbow sprinkles and gluten-free confetti is included.
Gluten-Free Funfetti Cupcakes
Gluten-free funfetti cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and rainbow sprinkles. Paper liner pulled away from sides of cupcake. Colorful ribbons and rainbow sprinkles scattered around,
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8. Moist and Rich Gluten-Free Chocolate Cupcakes

These gluten-free chocolate cupcakes are moist, fluffy and bursting with dark chocolate flavor. They are also dairy-free and so simple to make.
Moist and Rich Gluten-Free Chocolate Cupcakes
close up of gluten free chocolate cupcake with chocolate frosting. Bite taken out
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9. Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Vanilla Cupcakes

These gluten-free vanilla cupcakes are moist, light and is sublime. My FAVORITE cake gluten-free or not.
Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Vanilla Cupcakes
gluten free vanilla cupcakes with chocolate frosting and rainbow sprinkles on white platter. Piping bag with chocolate frosting and unfrosted cupcake in front right. White napkin in front left. White background.
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10. Gluten-Free Apple Pie Cupcakes

These gluten-free apple pie cupcakes are deliciously moist and taste like a homemade apple pie. With warm spices, an apple pie filling and apple spiced buttercream frosting, they are the ideal birthday treat for an apple pie lover.
Gluten-Free Apple Pie Cupcakes
gluten-free apple pie cupcakes with apple pie filling on wire rack. Spoon on left putting filling into one cupcake.
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11. Gluten-Free Butternut Squash Cake

This cake uses butternut squash puree for a moist, cinnamon spiced cake that is perfect for a foodie.
Gluten-Free Butternut Squash Cake
close up of gluten free butternut squash cake with caramel drip, chopped pecans on white plate
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12. 5 Minute, Gluten-Free Chocolate Mug Cake (Microwave)

This super quick gf chocolate mug cake is moist and fluffy and just right for an intimate birthday celebration.
5 Minute, Gluten-Free Chocolate Mug Cake (Microwave)
White mug with gluten-free chocolate mug cake topped with frosting and sprinkles. Fork on right. Pink napkin surrounding mug. Small wood bowl with rainbow sprinkles in front left.
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13. Fluffy, Moist Carrot Cake Cupcakes (Gluten-Free)

With warm spices and shredded carrot, these gluten-free carrot cake cupcakes are moist, fluffy, delicious and dairy-free! Gluten-free flour mix tips included.
Fluffy, Moist Carrot Cake Cupcakes (Gluten-Free)
Gluten free carrot cake cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and orange sanding sugar on long white platter. Small white bowl with orange sugar in front, gray napkin on right. Wood board with carrots and stack of plates with a cupcake in background.
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14. Easy, Moist, Fluffy Gluten Free Vanilla Snack Cake

This incredibly easy, from scratch, gluten-free vanilla snack cake is moist, fluffy and tender. This luscious cake is just the right treat to satisfy a cake craving. Slather it with your favorite frosting for a easy and simple but high reward cake!
Easy, Moist, Fluffy Gluten Free Vanilla Snack Cake
overhead view of gluten free vanilla snacking cake with frosting and rainbow sprinkles in square pan. THree squares cut out of cake. Round wire rack underneath. White background.
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15. Gluten-Free Vanilla Almond Flour Cake

This single-layer gluten-free vanilla almond flour cake is incredibly moist and has no cane sugar. The easy recipe mixes up in one bowl and is grain-free, dairy-free and gluten-free. Top it with just about any flavor frosting.
Gluten-Free Vanilla Almond Flour Cake
vanilla almond flour cake with butttercream and fresh berries on marble platter. One piece cut out
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16. Gluten-Free Mini Cupcakes – Chocolate and Vanilla

These mini cupcakes are the perfect two-bite gluten-free treat. Included are recipes for a moist fluffy vanilla and rich dark chocolate cupcake. Both recipes are super easy and mix up in one bowl.
Gluten-Free Mini Cupcakes – Chocolate and Vanilla
overhead view of mini gluten-free cupcakes with vanilla butter cream frosting and rainbow sprinkles on white platter. Gray napkin folded underneath.
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Two layer gluten-free carrot cake with cream cheese frosting and carrot decoration on white cake stand. Purple and orange birthday candles in middle. Slice of cake on cakes server on left. Stack of white plates with forts on left, wood board with fresh carrots in back right.

16 Gluten-Free Birthday Cake & Cupcake Ideas: Carrot Cake

Author: Janet Harlow
Course: Baked Goods, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12 slices
ο»ΏThis gluten-free carrot layer cake is so incredibly moist and fluffy. The easy recipe is also dairy-free and mixes up in one bowl for fast clean up.
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Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 45 mins

Recommended Products

  • King Arthur Gluten-Free Measure for Measure Flour

Ingredients
  

  • 4 large eggs, room temperature1
  • Β½ c oil – avocado, sunflower, canola or other neutral flavored vegetable oil
  • Β½ c unsweetened applesauce
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract, powder or bean paste
  • ΒΎ tsp salt
  • 1 c sugar
  • ΒΎ c light brown sugar
  • ο»Ώ2Β½ c gluten-free flour blend2 gluten-free rice-free flour option
  • 1Β½ tsp baking powder
  • Β½ tsp baking soda
  • ο»Ώ3 c (about 8 ounces) shredded carrots, store bought shreds work well or use about 3 medium sized carrots

Instructions
 

  • This cake can easily be mixed by hand with a silicone/rubber spatula and a wire whisk or with an electric mixer.
  • Preheat the oven to 350Β°F and parchment line and grease two 8 or 9 inch round cake pans. The parchment is optional but will make removing the baked cake much easier.
  • In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs, oil, apple sauce, vanilla and salt.
  • Add the sugars and beat until smooth.
  • Add the flour, baking powder and baking soda.
  • Fold in the dry ingredients with a silicone spatula (or beat on low if using electric).
  • Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
  • Then switch to a whisk to to smooth it out or mix on high with electric mixers for 10-15 seconds.
  • Fold in the shredded carrots.
  • Divide the batter evenly between the 2 pans. Use a spatula to smooth out the top. For super even layers, use a measuring cup and use just over 2Β½ cups batter per pan.
  • Bake 42-47 minutes or until the top is set and bounces back from a very gentle tap. If it leaves an indent, keep baking.
  • Cool the layers in the pan for 10 minutes. Then invert them onto a wire rack and allow to cool completely before frosting with my cream cheese frosting.

Notes

  1. Place cold eggs in a bowl with warm water to bring them to room temperature. It takes 5-10 minutes.
  2. Add 1 tsp xanthan gum only if you are using a flour blend that does not contain xanthan gum, guar gum or inulin. All of the 1-to-1 flour blends like Cup4Cup, King Arthur Measure for Measure, Pamela’s All Purpose Artisan Blend, Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 and Namaste Perfect Gluten-Free Flour already contain one of these ingredients.
Did you make this recipe?Let me know how it was! Tag @chefjanetk on Instagram.
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Posted In: Baked Goods, Dessert · Tagged: Birthday cake, cake, cupcakes, Layer cakes

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Hi, Welcome! I'm Chef Janet and I create gluten-free recipes that everyone will love, gluten-free or not.

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Do you need a cake or cupcakes for a gluten-free b Do you need a cake or cupcakes for a gluten-free birthday celebration? I've got you covered with a blog post with 16 ideas for fun,  festive & yummy cakes and cupcakes.
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All are gluten free and many can be made dairy-free as well. Most use Measure for Measure flour from @kingarthurbaking.
1. GF Carrot Cake
2. GF Funfetti Cupcakes
3. GF Red Velvet Cake
4. GF Lemon Cake
5. Grain-Free Vanilla Almond Flour Cake
6. GF Vanilla Cake
7. GF Mini Cupcakes in Choc & Vanilla
8. GF Vanilla Cupcakes
9. GF Coconut Layer Cake
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Not pictured: GF Chocolate Orange Loaf Cake,
GF Chocolate Cupcakes, GF Apple Pie Cupcakes, GF Butternut Squash Cake, Gf Chocolate Mug Cake, GF Vanilla Snack Cake, and GF Carrot Cake Cupcakes.
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