These gluten free vegan Funfetti Cupcakes were a labor of love. I cannot tell you how many times I tried over and over to get them nailed down (okay, I tried a good 6 times before I made these 3 more times, but who’s counting?!). There are a few things that pause me in my tracks and that I’ve actually developed certain fears around recreating them into their own gluten free vegan version. Well, more like utter doubt that I could ever accomplish it. Sandwich bread being one of them (heck bread of all kinds really), and yellow cake. The infamous yellow cake. I tell you, I’ve been at this for 4 years now and there are many times where I go back to those early days in the kitchen where I am crying on the floor, so frustrated at this darn way of baking. I’ve learned over the years, however, to become a better detective in the kitchen. “This batch is too dense. Why? What can I do to add moisture?” I’m constantly asking questions and trying to figure out a solution instead of just crying and throwing food across the kitchen. Okay, I still do that at times…
I thought I would get clever and test out the idea of using aquafaba (yup, that is the brine of chickpeas) but I couldn’t get that soft bite that I wanted. I used flaxseeds but it still left me unimpressed. My favorite method in my chocolate cupcake recipe is a simple baking soda and apple cider vinegar mashup so instead of getting all fancy on you, I went with ole trusty. Silly me for trying to get creative. Sometimes you just have to stick with what you know. In fact, I don’t know why I deviated to begin with, this recipe has the same structure as my chocolate cupcakes (minus the cocoa powder, of course). It was under my nose this entire time! This time, however, I used my Light Flour Blend instead of my usual and it worked like a charm.
Gluten free vegan Funfetti Cupcakes are in your near future, I can feel it!
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Adapted from my chocolate cupcakes, this fun twist on celebratory cupcakes has the softest bite and tastiest frosting, you wouldn’t even know they are made without gluten, eggs, and dairy.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 c.Cara’s LIGHT Gluten Free Flour Blend(or use store bought)
- 3/4 c. granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tsp. xanthan gum (omit if using a gf flour mix with it already included)
- 1/4 tsp. sea salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 3/4 c. nondairy milk
- 2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
- 1/3 c. vegetable oil
- 2 Tbsp. vegan sprinkles
For the Frosting:
- 1/3 c. nondairy butter
- 1/3 c. non-hydrogenated shortening
- 2 1/2 c. powdered sugar
- 1 Tbsp. nondairy milk
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- more vegan sprinkles!
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line a muffin pan with 10 cupcake liners.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients** (see recipe notes for this). Add all of the wet ingredients together (except the sprinkles) and mix with a wooden spoon until a batter forms. Your batter should resemble a pancake batter. On the thicker side but not too runny. Fold in the sprinkles.
- Pour the batter into the cupcake liners and bake for 15-20 mins. The baking time will vary based off of your oven but you will know they are ready when you touch the tops and they are firm.
- For the frosting, with an electric mixer, whip up the shortening and buttah together until fluffy. Add the powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time. It will be clumpy.
- Add the vanilla and milk until nice and fluffy. If too runny add a tablespoon of powdered sugar until firm and fluffy. Add a tsp of milk at a time if too stiff.
- Make sure the cupcakes are completely cool before you frost them. Simply take a spatula, add a good heaping of frosting and smooth it down, leaving an indention in the middle. Add sprinkles along the sides. FROSTING TIPS: If you have troubles with spreading the frosting without taking the tops of the cupcakes off, try dipping the back of a spatula with warm water before spreading. This will keep it from sticking to the frosting and break up the cupcake.
Notes
**Since each flour brands/blends are not equal, you will experience variations in your batter once you add the wet ingredients. If your batter is too thick, it’s more difficult to add more liquid than if it is too runny and you need to add more flour. This is why I always take out 2 Tbsp. of the flour mix and add it back in after everything is combined. If your batter is still too runny, simply add another tablespoon of flour at a time until you have achieved a pancake batter consistency.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 457
- Sugar: 36g
- Sodium: 185mg
- Fat: 23g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 0.6g
- Protein: 2.3g
Gluten free vegan Funfetti Cupcakes recipe notes:
- If you have an issue with the flours and/or starches used in this recipe, you can reference this post for good gluten free flour substitutes, as well as how to create a blend of your own. However, please note that the reason I chose brown and white rice flours was intentional. These 2 flours combined give an ultra light texture which you need in any gluten free vegan cake/cupcake recipe. If you sub out either and replace with another, do note that you run the risk of changing the texture, flavor, rise, and overall enjoyment of these cupcakes.
- You do need xanthan gum in this recipe. Remember, when it comes to delicate baked goods like cakes and cupcakes, a gum is needed to prevent it from crumbling. Though I tend to get away with not using xanthan gum in most baked goods, these are the exception.
- You may replace the apple cider vinegar with white vinegar or lemon juice.
- For the frosting, you can use all shortening instead of a mix of shortening and nondairy butter.
Are you still here? I thought I heard the sound of a computer dropping and cupcake-making in the kitchen already…
I made this recipe tonight and did not make any substitutions. The texture was good, but they deflate when you bite into them. It sounds similar to what happened to some of the others that tried the recipe. I did do the “light” gluten free mix that you recommend. Do you think it could be that my batter was too thin? It seemed like pancake batter, I thought. I also added the 2 tbsp of flour that you recommended. Any tips? I’m refrigerating overnight, after they have cooled to see if that magically helps. Thank you kindly for any assistance you might be able to provide!
If your batter was similar to pancake batter, it needs more flour. Next time add 2 more Tbsp of flour. You want a thicker batter.
Followed this recipe exact and it came out great for me as far as texture. However, I need to know what brand of baking soda and baking powder you use. My gluten free white, and vanilla cakes always have a metallic taste. I usually just make chocolate cake for this reason. Is there something I can do to offset this taste? Or do you think it’s the brand of leavening agents I am using?
★★★★★
Girlfriend, I was pleasantly impressed with these. I’m a food allergy mom, and always looking for great recipes. I’m so happy someone referred me to your site. I used the King Arthur All Purpose GF Blend, which has the same ingredients as your custom blend (but I don’t know about the ratios), and I subbed psyllium husk for xanthan gum. Thank you always!
★★★★★
Hi. :)this looks deelish! I was wondering how would you turn this into a 8x 2 inch round cake?
Would it be double the recipie and bake at the same temp?
Thanks!
Didn’t work at all for me they literally defaulted ?
Did you follow the recipe exactly or use subs?
Hi! I can’t seem to find non-hydrogenated shortening where I live (Vancouver, BC, Canada) unless you know of another brand. I called a number of stores and asked about the Earth Balance and Spectrum Organics brands. Apparently, they aren’t bringing them up to Canada anymore. If I use just Earth Balance buttery spread in the icing, will the icing melt at room temperature? Would you suggest using conventional vegetable shortening (like Crisco) instead?
Thanks for any insight you may be able to shed on this project!
This recipe didnt work for me at all, the cupcakes were dry and grainy and just very unpleasant. I used the Glutino all purpose blend…maybe thats why? Im also wondering if it could be due to the sprinkles, although i did add the amount that you suggested.
So sorry to hear that! It’s all in the flour, I can guarantee you that. I haven’t been very pleased with most store-bought flour blends, which is why I make my own. You always run the risk of dryness (and grainy!) when using different flours. If you can, I suggest making a batch of my light flour blend and your results will be much better!
What can I use in place of the potato starch in your flour mix? Will tapioca starch work?
Try tapioca starch or more arrowroot.
BEST RECIPE EVER! Thank you! I wanted to bake cute and yummy cupcakes for a friend who has severe allergies and this recipe was the answer! Even my kids (who aren’t GF or vegan) gave me big thumbs up. So happy. This is a keeper, whether you’re GF/vegan or not! And proof that “that stuff” can taste AMAZING!
PS: I used a GF multi-purpose flour to make it extra easy (King Arthur)… FIVE STARS!
I’m so sad these didn’t work out for me! I didn’t use your flour mix, maybe that’s why?
Yes, that is the tricky part. If you don’t use the flours given, the liquid to flour ratio changes since all gf flours absorb liquid differently. Might I ask what you used instead?
Hello, is there anything that I could use in replace of the potato starch? Please and thanks in advance 🙂
★★★★★
Thanks for a great recipe! I made these today with my friend and her 5 year old daughter. We created some Octanaut themed fondant decorations to go on top of the vegan buttercream. The cupcakes were as delicious, fluffy, moist and sweet as promised.
Made these today and they turned out perfectly! I used vegan chocolate chips instead of sprinkles and it worked awesomely, i’m so happy!
★★★★★
Well, color me happy! Thank you for the feedback, Imogen, xo
These look heavenly! By far and away my favorite cupcake of all time, so I want to try these right away. You mentioned what brand of sprinkles are vegan and gluten-free, but I wanted to ask, which did you use? I have had trouble with my sprinkles exploding in funfetti cakes before and want to avoid wasting my precious precious sprinkles. 🙂
I personally like Lieber’s 🙂
I’m going to make these for Christmas with red and green sprinkles! 🙂
Now that is about the best idea ever…
God, I could so go for one of those right now!!
I had to give away all my tester cupcakes and I now I miss them, myself 🙂
where oh where did you get gluten free and vegan sprinkles? These look so fun: )
For the safest option (if that is what you need), I say go with Sprinklez of Edward and Sons brand. Otherwise, Leiber’s is a great option too for jimmies.