I am currently eating one of these gluten free pumpkin cupcakes as I type. It doesn't really bother me that pumpkin flavored everything hit the shelves come August.
It's not that I dislike summer. I actually relish the hot summer sun as it beats down on the earth. I am most at home in a pair of shorts and a tank - no layers please. There's just something delightful about Autumn that summer can't match. It puts a spring in my step.
I confess I baked a pumpkin pie in July, froze it in slices and pulled one out every night for a week. I have a cinnamon candle burning as I write, and an autumn wreath on the front door. Don't judge me - it's (almost) September.
I did wait until now to perfect these gluten free pumpkin cupcakes. (Nailing that self control thing) These cupcakes are for gluten avoiders everywhere who die inside when Starbucks unveils their pumpkin scones and muffins every year. (Which by the way is in August!)
A little bit about these pumpkin cupcakes ...
They look beautiful with one, single candy corn laid on top, BUT they taste waaaayyyy better with more so feel free to smoosh some more on there. Unless of course, you are one of those characters lovely people who think candy corn taste like wax. In that case, omit them. 😉
This recipe lends itself well to muffins if frosting ain't your thing. (Or if you are looking for a healthy ish, less sugar laden option.) I baked them with chocolate chips because I'd eat an old shoe if it were covered in chocolate.
They're also perfect for Halloween. A real simple but festive way to do this is add orange food coloring to the frosting and use black sprinkles on top. Of course, if you are like me and you enjoy torturing yourself over intricate details - pinterest is there to help!
Here are some pumpkin cookies I decorated one year for Halloween ...
Can gluten free cupcakes really taste good, or even be the best?
Yep! There are a few important things to consider though. If your intestines hates gluten (like mine) or you know someone like that, there is a wealth of information at celiac.org or gluten.org.
Unfortunately Gluten Free means flour is no longer one ingredient. Navigating gluten free all purpose flours can be daunting at best. Some taste like old socks, and choosing the right one can mean the difference between mmhmm-ing whilst eating or spitting said goody into the trash. Fortunately, you are not limited to flourless goodies. Some really do taste amazing.
I use Bob's Red Mill 1:1 All Purpose Gluten Free Flour. This is currently my favorite. It produces the most gluten like texture to me, and doesn't have an aftertaste. I've also had the best feedback from my gluten eating friends. It can be found at Sam's, Walmart and Amazon
. I know Bob's Red Mill has recently come out with a paleo baking flour as well. I have yet to try it but am excited to and will update this post when I do.
I would not recommend substituting almond flour when a recipe calls for gluten free all purpose flour. The conversion rate won't be 1:1, and it will no doubt come out more dense than desired. It also lacks a binding agent (xantham gum). You can however substitute ¼ of the flour with almond flour with good success, otherwise I would look for almond flour recipes specifically.
For all my dairy free pumpkin loving friends ...
The gluten free pumpkin cupcake recipe is already dairy free, and to make the frosting dairy free simply use vegan butter instead of regular butter. Shortening is also an option. Even though I don't avoid dairy, I have a special appreciation for those who do. My sweet nephew could not eat dairy (think eye swelling, epi pen style).
There's not many a thing more heartbreaking then having to tell a 3 year old he can't have a donut like everyone else. Cue crying, sad face emoji here.
This recipe is really quite simple. You just beat both sugars with your wet ingredients for a couple minutes, add each egg until incorporated and then add your dry ingredients and beat until combined.
Super easy recipes are SUPER awesome.
If you are more of a muffin person, these Gluten Free Chocolate Muffins are also easy and equally great.
Alternatively if you LOVE cream cheese frosting simply frost these cupcakes with this cream cheese frosting recipe.
Gluten Free Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cinnamon Maple Frosting
Ingredients
For the cupcakes:
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ cup + 2 T. brown sugar
- 1 ½ t. baking powder
- ½ t. baking soda
- ¼ t. kosher salt
- ½ t. pumpkin pie spice
- ½ cup canola oil
- ½ cup canned pumpkin
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup + 3 T. Bob's Red Mill 1:1 All Purpose Gluten Free Flour
For the frosting:
- ½ cup 1 stick butter, room temp.
- 2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 T. maple syrup
- 1 T. whole milk
- ¼ t. cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In the bowl of a stand mixer add both sugars, canola oil, and pumpkin then beat for 3 minutes on medium speed.
- In a medium bowl, combine gluten free flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice. Mix gently with a spoon.
- Add eggs, one at a time to pumpkin mixture and beat on medium speed until thoroughly combined. Scrape the bowl with a spatula.
- Add dry ingredients to pumpkin mixture and beat on medium speed until thoroughly combined.
- Spray or line a muffin pan, and scoop batter ¾ of the way full in each one. You should get 9 total.
- Bake cupcakes for 21 minutes or until the tops have risen and they bounce back when touched. You can also test with a toothpick.
- For the frosting, beat 1 stick butter, ¾ cup powdered sugar and 1 T. maple syrup on medium high for 3 minutes. Add ¾ cup powdered sugar, 1 T. milk, and ¼ t. cinnamon and beat 3 more minutes.
- Finally add the last ½ cup powdered sugar and 1 T. maple syrup and beat 3 more minutes.
- Pipe or spread frosting onto completely cooled cupcakes, sprinkle with cinnamon and add a candy corn to the top of each one.
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