These easy gluten-free chocolate cupcakes are super simple to whip up, use only one bowl, and have the perfect bakery style texture.
Gluten-free chocolate cupcakes have never been easier!
This gluten free chocolate cupcakes recipe was adapted from my Gluten Free Chocolate Cake.
If you are looking for an egg-free cupcake you might like my Gluten Free Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes.
For more recipe ideas check out my Gluten Free Recipes archive.
Gluten-Free Chocolate Cupcakes
Every time I see the pictures of these Gluten-Free Chocolate Cupcakes I want to hop in the kitchen and bake up a batch.
This recipe is incredible and it remains one of my most favorite recipes. Hopefully you'll make some so you can see what I'm talking about.
You can't tell these cupcakes are gluten-free. They texture is amazing, the flavors perfectly balanced, and the recipe in its simplest form.
These Easy Gluten-Free Chocolate Cupcakes are the cupcake version of my Easy Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake (which is my number one recipe on my site the past year).
I've received a lot of messages asking how to convert the recipe from cake to cupcakes.
There's no hard and fast secret on how to turn a cake into a cupcake, its simply an adjustment of bake time.
But because most bakers like to save or print recipes (me included), it's easier to adjust the recipe and SHOW how to make the cake into cupcakes vs. putting a foot-note somewhere on the cake recipe explaining how to make the cake into cupcakes.
It's easy to miss a note, so I created this post to help everyone make easy gluten-free chocolate cupcakes 🙂
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 weight it but I don't have the ingredient weights for all my recipes yet.
There are a couple of tips and tricks to getting the right texture with gluten-free cupcakes. First, you have to follow the recipe.
So many people comment on recipe posts saying that they made a ton of substitutions and the recipe didn’t turn out.
Other than the dairy substitute, I haven’t tried other substitutes in this recipe. If you use substitutions, you are doing so at your own risk.
Second, you want to mix at the right time and not over-mix. When you are beating the ingredients you’ll want to beat it for the time listed.
This adds air which in turn helps the cake rise. Beating any longer will cause the batter to stiffen.
Both those tips are relevant to most cake and cupcake recipes, not just this Gluten-Free Chocolate Cupcakes.
The gluten free chocolate cupcakes recipe is simple enough that anyone can make it. Take a peek at the video above to see just how easy it really is.
How to make gluten-free chocolate cupcakes
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until there are no visible clumps.
- Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla. Beat with a mixer on medium speed for two minutes.
- Stir in boiling water.
- Spoon batter evenly into cupcake wells.
- Bake for 20 to 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Remove from oven and let cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then remove from pan and let cool on a rack. Frost and enjoy.
Everyone that has made these gluten-free chocolate cupcakes has raved about them.
I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
If you like cake then you’ll also love my Gluten-Free Lemon Cake and my Gluten-Free Vanilla Cupcakes.
I've got some tasty frosting options below but if you're looking for something special this Nutella Buttercream Frosting Recipe is to-die-for.
If you make these gluten-free chocolate cupcakes please stop back by and let me know what you thought!
Easy Gluten-Free Chocolate Cupcakes
These easy gluten-free chocolate cupcakes are super simple to whip up, use only one bowl, and have the perfect bakery style texture.
Ingredients
For the cupcakes:
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 cups all purpose gluten-free flour blend OR Bobs Redmill 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa
- 1 ½ teaspoons gluten-free baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup milk (or dairy-free milk)
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 ½ teaspoons gluten-free vanilla extract
- ¾ cup boiling water (for activating the cocoa)
For the frosting:
- ½ cup butter (or dairy-free butter)
- 1 ½ teaspoons gluten-free vanilla extract
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 4 ½ cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup milk (or dairy-free milk)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Position rack in center of oven. Line two 12-serving cupcake pans with paper liners; set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until there are no visible clumps.
- Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla. Beat with a mixer on medium speed for two minutes.
- Stir in boiling water.
- Spoon batter evenly into cupcake wells. Bake for 20 to 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Remove from oven and let cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then remove from pan and let cool on a rack.
- For the frosting: In a medium mixing bowl, beat butter and vanilla until smooth and creamy. Add cocoa powder and beat until combined. Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time. Slowly beat in milk. Beat in additional milk if needed, to obtain desired consistency.
- Frost cupcakes.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Recommended Products
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
24Serving Size:
1 cupcakeAmount Per Serving: Calories: 291Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 241mgCarbohydrates: 48gFiber: 1gSugar: 33gProtein: 3g
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?
Tag @glutenfreepalate on Instagram and hashtag it #glutenfreepalatebaker so we can see all the deliciousness!
bekla
Great recipe and amazing results!
chrystal
I am so glad you like these cupcakes. Thank you for stopping by and letting me know.
Best
Chrystal
Irene
Thank you for these cupcakes... l have to make a batch of gluten free cupcakes for my daughters wedding... can they freeze without the frosting OR is the moist crumb compromised
chrystal
Hi Irene,
I haven't frozen them without frosting. I usually frost, then freeze. The frosting helps keep the moisture in the cupcakes that wold normally escape when you place them in the freezer.
Hope that helps.
Best,
Chrystal
tina
made these today.. the texture is amazing.. taste pretty good.. but mine ended up small and not rising to much.. do you think it was from using silicone muffin cups?
chrystal
Hi Tin,
Sorry to hear that your's didn't rise much but I'm glad you like them. I would guess it is the silicone pan. They rise more with metal because of the heat-contact. Silicone still works great but it heats up at a different rate.
Best,
Chrystal
Jodie Moss
My niece has just been diagnosed gluten and dairy intolerant and I wanted to make her a treat. This was perfect and my kids even enjoyed it. It needs the frosting for them as i used a slightly bitter cacao, but I’m amazed st how great it was. Thankyou for all your recipies. I now know what and how to cook for her when she is here
chrystal
Hi Jodie,
I am so glad you like these cupcakes and that your kids and niece enjoyed them as well.
Best,
Chrystal
Thelma Demers
Oh My Gosh !!!!!! I have been baking gluten free (for others and myself) for several years - this is the first recipe that REALLY works without xanthan gum. They are just as good, No maybe better than wheat cupcakes. Bless you !!!!!!
chrystal
Hi Thelma,
I am so glad you think so 🙂 Thank you for stopping by to let me know you like them!
Best,
Chrystal