By Wendy Stoltz / Last Modified On January 15, 2023
You can bite into this dreamy Gluten-Free Orange Cupcake in less than an hour. There are only nine ingredients in this tender, citrus infused orange cupcake and this recipe is incredibly easy to make.
If you love cupcakes you'll want to make my Gluten Free Lemon Cupcakes. My Gluten Free Blueberry Cupcakes are also scrumptious.
Orange Cupcakes
It's summer!!! And my creative baking side is in full force as we enter into the hottest months of the year. Each week I am working on new recipes and developing new ideas for baked goods that my family can enjoy (and that you can enjoy).
Although I prefer not to turn on the oven during the summer months, I couldn't help but make these Gluten-Free Orange Cupcakes.
This recipe is super simple to make and it delivers the perfect orange cupcakes. The tender cupcakes with fresh orange make these cupcakes perfect any time of year, not just in the summer.
Gluten Free Orange Cupcakes
I love making cupcakes, and what better excuse to make cupcakes than my birthday? I don't have a favorite kind of cake - all cake is my favorite! I love everything from chocolate, vanilla, and lemon to these gluten-free orange cupcakes.
Because oranges are in season, I decided to whip up a batch of these gluten-free orange cupcakes to help me celebrate my big day. It's not a milestone birthday or anything like that, but I do like to have a reason to eat cupcakes.
This recipe makes 12 amazing cupcakes. If you want to make more, simply double the batch. I haven't tried making this recipe into cake yet but when I do, I'll update the instructions below.
How to make Orange Cupcakes
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk flour and baking powder; set aside.
- In a separate large mixing bowl, combine oil and sugar.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating between each egg.
- Stir in vanilla extract, orange extract, and orange zest.
- Add the flour mixture and dairy-free milk alternately to the wet ingredients and mix just until combined. Don’t over mix!
- Divide batter among liners, filling ⅔ full (about ¼ cup of batter per cupcake). Bake as directed.
These numbered steps match the numbered photos above and are for illustration purposes. For the full list of instructions and ingredients in these gluten free orange cupcakes please see the recipe card below.
Working with Gluten-Free Flours
When working with or measuring gluten-free flour, spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level. Do not scoop your measuring cup into the gluten-free flour. The best method really is to weigh the gluten-free flour but I don't have the ingredient weights for all my recipes yet.
These cupcakes are extremely easy to make. In less than 20 minutes of prep time and under 30 minutes to bake you will have delicious gluten-free, dairy-free, orange cupcakes.
They have a light citrus flavor. The longer they sit before eating, the stronger the citrus flavor.
Orange zest has natural oils in it, that give these cupcakes their flavor, and just like when you bake with lemon, the flavor gets stronger with time.
My Gluten Free Lemon Cake is also to-die-for.
Did you make these gluten free orange cupcakes? Please leave a comment below letting me know what you thought.
Gluten-Free Orange Cupcakes
You can bite into this dreamy Gluten-Free Orange Cupcake in less than an hour.
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose gluten-free flour blend
- 1 ½ teaspoon gluten-free baking powder
- ½ cup oil
- ⅔ cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon gluten-free vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon gluten-free orange extract
- 1 tablespoon fresh orange zest (from a medium orange)
- ½ cup dairy-free milk
For the frosting:
- ½ cup dairy-free butter (1 stick), room temperature
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon gluten-free orange extract
- 3-4 tablespoons dairy-free milk (or regular milk)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Line cupcake pan with paper liners; set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk flour and baking powder; set aside.
- In a separate large mixing bowl, combine oil and sugar.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating between each egg.
- Stir in vanilla extract, orange extract, and orange zest.
- Add the flour mixture and dairy-free milk alternately to the wet ingredients and mix just until combined. Don’t over mix!
- Divide batter among liners, filling ⅔ full (about ¼ cup of batter per cupcake).
- Bake for 23-25 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool completely before frosting.
- For the frosting - beat butter until creamy. Add orange extract and mix till combined. Beat in 1 cup of powdered sugar at a time, alternating with 1 tablespoon of dairy-free milk. Add more or less milk for desired consistency.
- Pipe frosting onto each cupcake.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1 cupcakeAmount Per Serving: Calories: 402Total Fat: 19gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 68mgSodium: 149mgCarbohydrates: 57gFiber: 0gSugar: 47gProtein: 3g
Lee
I've been looking for a good orange cupcake recipe for Ryze! I was getting ready to make this, but I want to be sure about the frosting-what is the second mentioned butter for( 1/2 cup butter, then 3-4tbs butter)? Do I use it all at once for the frosting? Thank you!
chrystal
Hi Lee,
That's suppose to say 2-3 tablespoons of dairy-free milk. Thank you for the catch! I've updated it.
Best,
Chrystal
Marina
Any substitute for eggs?
chrystal
I've had some readers have good success with Bob's Red Mill egg replacer in this recipe.
Priya
Thank you for the great recipes.
I was wondering is it possible to subsitute the orange extract for orange juice? If yes how much would you recommend.
Priya
chrystal
Hi Priya,
I haven't used fresh orange juice in this recipe. You could add the zest from an orange instead of the extract.
Best,
Chrystal
Lauren Boss
Hello! I only have oat and coconut flour on hand, are either of these able to be used as a substitute? Thanks!
chrystal
Hi Lauren,
I don't personally bake with oat flour and coconut flour won't work in this recipe.
Sorry!
Chrystal
Andra
Do you have to use dairy free butter or can I use regular butter in this recipe?
chrystal
Hi Audra,
You can use regular butter.
Best,
Chrystal
MARGUERITE
Can I use regular 2% milk instead of the dairy replacement - one is a powder and the other is liquid?
chrystal
Yes, you can use regular milk in this recipe. This recipe doesn't' use powdered milks.
Ellen Cullom
I notice there’s no salt. Is that intentional?
Am making the recipe now.
Thanks!
chrystal
Yes, but you can add a dash of salt if you like.
Best,
Chrystal
Anahera
Hi,
Could this recipe be baked into a cake instead?
Thanks!
Lindsay
Hi Anahera! We haven't tested this recipe as a cake just yet. You could try it. I suspect that the baking time will need to be increased, but I'm not sure what other adjustments will be best.