The Home Economics Bit
Did you know?
Red velvet cake (and cupcakes) is comprised of fluffy chocolate flavoured sponge layered (or topped with) a sweet cream cheese frosting. Food dye is added to create the crimson/scarlet colour we associate with red velvet cakes and cupcakes.

Gluten Free Red Velvet Cupcakes
Crimson coloured light and fluffy chocolate flavoured gluten free cupcakes, topped with a delicious cream cheese frosting.
Ingredients
- 75 g butter
- 150 g caster sugar
- 2 medium eggs
- 1 tsp good quality red food colouring ensure gluten free
- 15 g cocoa powder ensure gluten free, sifted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 125 ml buttermilk
- 175 g gluten free self raising flour sifted
- 1/2 tsp baking powder ensure gluten free
- 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 1/2 tsp xanthan gum
- 1 tsp rice wine vinegar
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
- 150 g butter
- 150 g icing sugar sifted
- 300 g full fat cream cheese
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180ºC/160ºC fan. Place12 cupcake cases into a bun tin.
- In a stand mixer, or using a handheld electric whisk, beat together the butter and sugar until soft and fluffy, and paler in colour.
- Add the eggs and beat again.
- In a small bowl, mix together the red food colouring and vanilla extract to form a paste. Add to the butter mixture and beat until the mixture is evenly coloured.
- Slowly beat in the cocoa powder.
- Beat in half of the buttermilk and beat, then half of the flour and beat again.
- Add in the remaining buttermilk and beat. Then add in the remaining flour and beat.
- Add the bicarbonate of soda, baking powder, xanthan gum and vinegar. Beat again briefly until everything is smooth and incorporated well.
- Evenly spoon the mixture into the cupcake cases and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean when inserted into the middle of a cupcake.
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
- Beat the butter and icing sugar together until light and fluffy (approx. 5 minutes).
- Add in the full-fat cream cheese and beat for about a minute, until smooth.
- Using a spatula, scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add in the vanilla extract and then beat for another minute, or until you have achieved a thick and smooth, creamy frosting.