These gluten-free chocolate cupcakes are moist, fluffy and bursting with dark chocolate flavor. They are also dairy-free and so simple to make.
Need more gluten-free, dairy-free cupcakes? Try my special gluten-free chocolate orange cupcakes or gluten-free carrot cake cupcakes. Or for a mini version, see my recipe for mini gluten-free cupcakes in chocolate and vanilla.
Developing a chocolate cupcake/cake recipe has been a long process for me. But I finally found just the right balance of ingredients that make these cupcakes chocolatey, moist, light and hold a perfect rise.
Ingredients
Gluten-free flour – I know that the trend in gluten-free baking has moved to all-in-one wheat flour replacements. So I developed this recipe using King Arthur Measure for Measure Flour. Be sure to check out my collection of King Arthur Gluten-Free Flour recipes. Cup4Cup (contains milk powder) and Pamela’s Artisan blend will work well too. All of these flours are certified gluten-free. I did not test with Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 (not certified GF).
Cocoa Powder – Ghirardelli used to be my go-to, but their products now contain a wheat warning. Hershey’s cocoa powder is gluten-free and easy to find at your local market. I personally prefer an organic cacao powder but I encourage you to use whatever unsweetened cocoa powder you have!
Espresso Powder or instant coffee granules – Coffee is an excellent flavor booster for chocolate. It will will enhance the bittersweet flavor in these cupcakes. It’s not mandatory but highly recommended!
I use dairy-free milk substitutes – almond, coconut, oat, soy will all work. Just be sure to use an unsweetened one,
Mixing the Cupcake Batter
More than most cupcake batters, this one will develop air pockets very easily. Too much air will make these cupcakes dry and will create uneven rising. Here’s how to avoid over-mixing:
Sift the dry ingredients into a bowl and stir with a whisk so that they are completely combined. VERY lightly beat the wet ingredients before adding to the dry. Stir the wet and dry together, using a rubber spatula, just until combined and mostly smooth. A few tiny lumps are ok. Get it into the pan and send it straight to the oven.
NOTE: If baking at high altitude. I recommend King Arthur Baking for excellent guidance on this subject and many more baking issues.
Baking the Cupcakes
You may be surprised to see that these chocolate cupcakes bake at 325Β°F, not 350Β°. They need a more gentle baking temperature to allow them to rise gradually. The higher temp caused them to rise too quickly and crack on top. But at 325Β°, they had a nice smooth, gentle dome. Perfect and ready for frosting.
Be sure to check out my line up of frosting recipes including my strawberry buttercream frosting, my favorite for these cupcakes.
Moist and Rich Gluten-Free Chocolate Cupcakes
Ingredients
- 3/4 c unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3/4 c gluten-free flour blend* gluten-free rice-free flour option
- 1/2 tsp espresso powder optional
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 3 large eggs room temperature
- 2/3 c unsweetened dairy-free milk room temperature
- 2/3 c oil sunflower, avocado, canola
- 1 tsp vanilla extract or powder
- 1 c sugar
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 325Β°F and line muffin tin(s) with paper liners
- If the eggs are cold, place in a bowl of warm water while preparing the other ingredients.
- Sift the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt and espresso powder (If using) into a mixing bowl. Stir with a whisk to combine well.
- If the milk is cold, heat in the microwave for 10 seconds to take the chill off. In a small bowl, very lightly beat the the eggs, milk, oil, vanilla and sugar.
- Add the liquid ingredients to the dry and stir until mostly smooth. Over-mixing will create too many air bubbles which will cause uneven rising and dry cake.
- Divide the batter evenly among the liners, filling each well just past half way. These cupcakes will rise quite a bit.
- Bake 18-20 minutes or until the top is set and bounces back from a gentle tap.
- Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely
- Top with my chocolate buttercream frosting or my perfectly pipeable vanilla buttercream frosting.
Hi! I just found this recipe and Iβm wondering if I can bake it as either 2 8β or 2 9β layers?
Hi Pam, This will work for cakes. I would recommend doing 1 1/2 x the recipe for 2 8″ layers. Let me know if you need help converting the amounts!
Just like commenter before me- can you bake this into a 8 or 9β³ layer cake?
I have not scaled this for a layer cake but I would make 1 Β½ times the recipe and bake in 2 8″ pans
Janet, can this recipe be doubled? And can the carrot cake cupcake recipe be doubled or tripled?
Thank you!
Hi Katherine, Both recipes can be doubled but I wouldn’t triple the carrot cake recipe. I suggest making a double and a single separately.
Thank you!
Hello – I would love to try this recipe. I am currently exploring different baking options due to my health. Would King Arthur sugar alternative work in this recipe? Thank you Janet!
Hi Catherine, Sorry but I have not tested sugar alternatives in my recipes, so I’m not sure how it would work. I love to hear how it goes if you give it a try.