Delicious homemade Classic Gluten-Free Vanilla Cupcakes that are vegan, top-8 allergy-free, & sugar-free! When you need a simple dessert recipe everyone will love and never know is “free-from”! A soft and fluffy cake with a simple “buttercream” frosting; it’s time to celebrate!
One of the BIGGEST requests I get from celiacs is for a simple, no-fuss vanilla cupcake recipe. Nothing fancy, nothing hard, just a go-to recipe for birthdays, parties, etc. Something easy to customize if they want, but ultimately just delicious, easy, and no-fail. It took me a few tries, but I finally nailed a PERFECT gluten-free cake and a super easy vegan buttercream frosting to go with it. These vanilla cupcakes are completely allergy-free and sugar-free too. They do not taste like it though! I also knew vanilla cupcakes HAD to be part of the “back-to-school” remake series.
I was pretty shocked and disheartened over the last few years to read about “banning” cupcakes from school classroom birthdays and holiday parties. As a food allergy and celiac advocate, I can understand that argument. When I was in elementary school, the kids that had allergies (barely anyone “back then”), would eat something else or skip it. It was never a big deal. Everyone brought in cupcakes or brownies for their birthdays. EVERYONE. It was such a fun treat to have and never disruptive to the class.
If you had extra cupcakes leftover, you were allowed to skip recess, take a friend with you, and go around the school to other teacher’s and administrators classrooms and offices to give out the rest of your treat (in exchange for a little cheap “toy” (like the ones you’d get in goodie bags). Yes, I went to a very small school, but it was part of the culture and…childhood! But not, only like 10 years later, sweet in school is such a taboo thing. Things have changed so much in the last few years; even I feel it and I’m still a “kid”.
Maybe 20 times a year you get a little cupcake during snack time? I don’t think that’s a bad thing. School sucks. These little fun “changes” to the daily grind are what make school bearable for kids. It’s a simple way to celebrate a child’s birthday; what’s the big deal? But that’s where food allergies can come in and I also think there is a great opportunity in these moments. If your child does have a food allergy or celiac: gluten, soy, egg, dairy, nut, peanuts, etc, why not take this special day of celebration to educate the class ON food allergies? Bake these cupcakes, bring them into the class, and then make a fun presentation about why these cupcakes are safe for (specified child) to eat. They are allergy-free; even though (specified child) has an allergy to (specified allergen), they CAN eat (this specified treat; doesn’t have to be these cupcakes), because they are (free-from allergen).
And just because someone has allergies to certain “ingredients”, does not mean they can’t still eat all types of food…they just need to be made in other, special ways! And as long and you bake up a delicious treat (like these gluten-free, vegan, allergy-free vanilla cupcakes), I think you can get any little kid on-board with eating an allergen-free treat! I mean, have you ever met a kid that turned down a dessert when offered? I don’t think so! Hey, you can even brag to the other parents and teachers that your cupcakes are sugar-free too 😉 Win, win, win!
Classic Gluten-Free Vanilla Cupcakes
Classic Gluten-Free Vanilla Cupcakes (Vegan, Allergy-Free, Sugar-Free)
Delicious homemade Classic Gluten-Free Vanilla Cupcakes that are vegan, top-8 allergy-free, & sugar-free! When you need a simple dessert recipe everyone will love and never know is “free-from”! A soft and fluffy cake with a simple “buttercream” frosting; it’s time to celebrate!
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 20 mins
- Yield: 9-12 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- Cupcake Batter:
- 2 Cups Gluten-Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour
- 3/4 Cup Erythritol
- 3 Tsp Ener-G Egg Replacer
- 1 Tsp Baking Powder
- 1 Tsp Pure Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract
- 1 1/4 Cup Unsweetened Non-Dairy Milk
- Vanilla Buttercream Frosting:
- 1 Stick Melt (Vegan Butter)
- 3 Cups Powdered Erythritol
- 1 Tsp Water
- 1/2 Tsp Pure Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract
- Allergy-Free Natural Sprinklz (to top)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- In a large mixing bowl combine all cupcake batter ingredients, adding the milk last. Mix well for a non-clumpy cake batter.
- Line a standard muffin/cupcake pan with 9-12 liners and add about 2-3 tablespoons of the cupcake batter to each.
- Bake in the oven for 18-22 minutes.
- To make the frosting, soften the butter stick slightly and mix together with the other frosting ingredients until you get a thick, creamy, white frosting.
- Allow the cupcakes to cool and using a pastry bag*, frost the cooled cupcakes. Top with sprinklz to finish.
Notes
*If you don’t have a pastry bag, you can use a Ziplock/plastic baggie. Simply fill the bag, snip one corner off, and squeeze the frosting on that way!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
So simple, so easy, so tasty, so allergy-free! It took me a few tries, but I finally nailed a classic gluten-free vanilla cupcake recipe WITH frosting that I’m proud of! Depending on how much batter you use for each cupcake (I said 2-3 tablespoons) you may get 9-12 cupcakes. I had different results for a few of my batches (I don’t measure the batter out exact, but I got 12 most times!) Now, if I was still in grade school…I’d be forcing my mom to make some of these cupcakes with me so I could show off the yummy “free-from” food that CAN be created and savored! Cheers to allergy-free treats!
So tell me:
+ If you’re a parent of little ones, are they allowed to bring in birthday treats? Where do you stand?
+ For those of us without kids, what was your favorite treat to bring in for your birthday? I think my mom usually did brownies!
Other 2017 “Back-To-School” Remakes:
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Alina
How would I be able to make this into a cake? My baby’s 1st birthday is coming up and he’s allergic to 7 of the top 8 allergens 🙁 I would love to make him a smash cake with this recipe, but I’m not sure how to convert it.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Sure you can! You’ll need to increase the cook time. This post should help you out! https://www.bhg.com/recipes/how-to/bake/convert-a-cake-recipe-into-cupcakes/
Alina
Thank you so much!
Lynn | The Road to Honey
I am a bit perplexed on this whole allergy thing myself. Just this weekend I was flying across country when they announced that several people had peanut allergies on the plane and we were not to bring anything peanut related onto the plane. Really?!! I remember the days that peanuts were the airlines snack of choice.
As for these cupcakes. . .they really do look lovely. The perfect little treat for our now allergy prone society.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I know it can be frustrating, but it is a serious health risk.
Lisa Pomerantz
These are beautiful and look amazing! I can almost smell them! My daughter has an egg allergy and I am gluten free. Looks like we will be whipping these up soon! TY! xoxo
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
The perfect batch of cupcakes for you both then!
Farrah
These are so pretty! I love the sprinkles too! 😀 (I haven’t baked anything in the longest time–this needs to change!)
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes it does! It’s almost cookies season too…and you know what that means 😉
Angela Boone
Those look fantastic! Thanks for sharing this.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Anisa
I love vanilla ! And cupcakes! Love that they’re gluten free . I can enjoy eating them more lol. Great post !
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Well fantastic all around!
Roseann Hampton
You’ll be glad to know that the kids still bring cupcakes at the school where I work and they still offer extras to other teachers! But since I can’t eat any of those, I’m pinning these to try!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Fantastic! Maybe you should bring some in instead!
Bintu - Recipes From A Pantry
Who doesn’t like vanilla cupcakes? A classic little cupcake, all the family will love
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes! Simple and delicious!
Animeyt
what a pretty looking dessert…classic cupcakes is my fav too..
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
They are a must!
prasanna hede
I totally get what you said here,childhood day were so good.Even I remember taking treats around school distributing to all but in my kids school they have so many restrictions 🙁 Your cupcakes are perfect!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
We got to bring those traditions back! These cupcakes are the way to do it 😉
aish das padihari
These cup cakes look so delicious and so cute and so clean. This is something I would love to eat and entertain my guests with.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
They would be wonderful for entertaining!
Nico @ yumsome
These are so pretty!
When I was at school, no one ever took treats in when it was their birthday… in those days, we were there to learn, not have parties! It was the same when my kids were at school.
In fact, as an adult, I’ve only ever worked in one place where people were expected to bring in cakes etc. when it was their birthday… and as soon as people found out they were vegan, they steered clear of them. All the more for me!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Must be a UK thing!
Kate
These look so good! I love a simple vanilla cupcake.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
The perfect base recipe!
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy
I will have to add this to my “gluten free” collection. Although I don’t require gluten free baking, I have friends that do. It is always nice to have some baking when they come over for dinner.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Everyone deserves a great free-from cupcake!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes)
Looks yummy!!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Megan @ MegUnprocessed
These sound divine!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Sheryl
Good looking recipes as always, and while I don’t have kids, totally agree with your points on permitting treats in schools! I think we’re getting oversensitive and desensitised at the same time as a society. They may sound like opposites but not really. Both stem from the ego. Anyway! Keep those dessert recipes coming! 🤗
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
No, haha, I totally get it!!
(And thank you!)
Chef Mireille
these look scrumptious and so pretty too how you decorated them
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Well thank you! Nice and simple!
Kourtney
This recipe looks so delicious! Definitely have to try this recipe out as soon as possible. Thanks for the share, love checking out your blog.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
So glad to here it! Enjoy!
neil@neilshealthymeals.com
Super easy and a super delicious cupcake recipe Rebecca! 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you, Neil!
Sophia | Veggies Don't Bite
Sometimes a good old classic vanilla is just what you need. They look fluffy and delicious!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
One of those foods you need a great go-to recipe for!
Lane & Holly @ With Two Spoons
I have a high schooler now and it’s gone from OK to bring homemade treats, to only OK to bring store bought treats, now it’s no treats at all. I agree, it’s sad.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, wah!!??? It’s still a very good thing to bring in treats (especially in college!)
Tracy @ Our Simple Homestead
You have taken the guilt out of eating cupcakes. They look absolutely delicious. Almost too good to eat.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Well thank you!
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day
Rebecca, these cupcakes look amazing! I’m not much of a baker, but I’m going to try to make these. 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
These are super easy and YUMMY!
Taylor Kiser
These cupcakes are calling my name! Perfect treat to end the day!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes, I think so!
Lauren Kelly
These are ALMOST too pretty to eat! Almost 😉 I love all of the ingredients too, great recipe!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, “almost” for sure 😉 Thank you!
Linda from Veganosity
There’s nothing better than vanilla cupcakes. These look perfect.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Simple and delicious!
Jasmine
Girl you are speaking my language, I am drooling!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Sure, thanks!
Jenny Rose
Yum! I’ve actually never made cupcakes from scratch, how terrible! I’ll defo use this recipe next time.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Ah, man, well you need to change that!
Kim
These sound amazing! I miss definitely going to have to try and make some for myself soon 💖🍵
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Well I hope you’ll enjoy them!
Stella - The Smoothie Vegetarians
These look delicious and beautiful! I can not wait to try them!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Enjoy! Thank you!
Tammy
My friend suffers from celiac’s so this is definitely something I’ll be sharing with her. These cupcakes are sooo pretty! ^_^
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Aw, thank you!
Shelby @Fitasamamabear
MMm yum! You cannot go wrong with cupcakes!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
No you can’t!
Carol Cassara
They sound yummy and are so pretty!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you so much!
Linnea | (Chick)peas & Understanding
In Sweden, where I grew up, I can’t recall us ever bringing in sweets for our birthdays at school. It is however a more commonplace thing amogst adults to bring into their work place; you have a birthday – you bring the cake! Is the allergy risk the main reason they are banning cupcakes in schools?
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Wow, that’s strange that adults would do it, but not kids!