Allergy-free cupcakes are a great way to celebrate a birthday, or just enjoy an afternoon treat. This article will provide you with recipes for a variety of recipes for some gluten free , dairy free and even top 8 allergen free cupcakes, as well as some tips on how to make them from scratch.
As a food allergy mom, I know how great the anticipation is before a birthday party, and whether or not your child will feel left out. I don’t like to leave those occasion to chance, so we always bring our own cupcake that meets our food allergy needs.
I’ve reached out to some blogger friends and rounded up THE best cupcake recipes you will want to try. So take a look and find the perfect recipe that meets your dietary needs and leaves your child with a BIG smile on their face!
Allergy-free cupcakes are a great way to celebrate any birthday, special occasion or just enjoy an afternoon treat. I’ve reached out to some friends and rounded up THE best gluten free dairy free cupcake recipes you have to try and included some tips on how to make allergy friendly celebrations easier.
As a food allergy mom, I know how heavy the anticipation is before a birthday party, not knowing whether or not your child will feel left out. I don’t like to leave those occasions to chance, so we always bring our own cupcake that meets our food allergy needs.
So take a look and find the perfect recipe that meets your dietary needs and leaves your child with a BIG smile on their face!
Why Allergy Free Cupcakes?
When you have a child with food allergies you know how important it is for them to feel included in all of life’s celebrations. Especially at birthday parties!
It’s also essential that we are providing safe foods to accommodate our child’s food allergies. And most of the time, that means doing the baking yourself and packing your own cupcakes to bring so you know for sure they will have something safe and sweet to enjoy!
Read the Food Label
It’s important to do your homework. Ingredients and manufacturing practices can change at any time, so be sure to read the label when shopping or check-in with the manufacturer before consuming. Always double-check, and when in doubt, reach out to the manufacturer for clarification.
And if you’re looking for recipe ideas for a child with a food allergy besides your own, always be sure to check-in with their parent to determine what ingredients are safe for them.
Spoiler alert- we each have our own comfort level in regard to what is considered safe for our child and their individual allergies. But we will feel so special that you thought of us, even if we do politely decline you baking a safe treat for our child!
Best Gluten Free Dairy Free Cupcake Recipes
Here I’ve rounded up some of the best gluten free cupcake and dairy free cupcake recipes (a few top 8 allergy free cupcakes are included too). Note- a couple I included are dairy free, but do contain gluten. Take your pick and find the perfect combination that works for your family and taste buds!
From traditional vanilla, fruity flavor, rich chocolate or unique twists, there is surely to be more than one favorite cupcake recipe here you will thank yourself for trying!
Gluten Free Cupcakes
Gluten-Free Vanilla Cupcakes
Gluten-Free Vanilla Cupcakes are the best dessert for birthdays, classroom parties, or any occasion that calls for cake! Dairy-free.
Carrot Cake Cupcakes (Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free) – Caked by Katie
Fluffy and wonderfully moist, these gluten-free and dairy-free cupcakes are made from scratch and topped with whipped cream cheese frosting. An easy one-bowl recipe for the most amazing carrot cake cupcakes you’ll ever eat!
Easy, homemade vegan gluten-free pumpkin cupcakes filled with the pumpkin spice flavour you know and love. They’re soft, fluffy, and moist, and are topped with creamy pumpkin spice buttercream.
Naturally-sweetened with honey, these dairy-free and gluten-free pumpkin cupcakes are wonderfully fluffy and topped with a delicious swirl of whipped cream cheese buttercream frosting.
Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes (Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free) – Caked by Katie
Did someone say strawberry season? Spring means extra sunshine and all the strawberries. To celebrate the days getting longer and warmer these amazing gluten-free and dairy-free strawberry shortcake cupcakes will be sure to hit the spot!
The BEST Allergy-friendly Chocolate Birthday Cupcakes
Moist dense chocolate cake topped with a rich silky chocolate buttercream makes the best allergy-friendly chocolate birthday cupcake (vegan, GF, top-8-free)
These vegan salted caramel chocolate cupcakes are some of THE BEST cupcakes ever! Super moist chocolate cake paired with coconut salted caramel sauce? Yum! Note: Dairy-Free, but NOT Gluten-Free.
No-Sugar Added Chocolate Brownie Cupcakes | Haute & Healthy Living
These no-sugar added chocolate brownie cupcakes make the perfect rich, decadent and healthy treat for babies, children and adults! Especially great for baby’s first birthday! {Gluten-free, paleo, no sugar-added}
Rich, moist, and full of deep chocolate flavor, these easy gluten-free chocolate cupcakes are decadently delicious. Topped with whipped vegan chocolate buttercream frosting, I bet you won’t be able to eat just one.
A recipe for moist, fluffy, and super chocolaty vegan gluten free chocolate cupcakes that’s easy to make and perfect for your next celebration (or just for when you’re craving chocolate!).
These failproof eggless chocolate cupcakes should be a staple in every vegan baker’s household! Served with dairy-free chocolate buttercream. Note: Egg Free, Dairy Free, but NOT Gluten Free.
These Gluten Free Chocolate Cupcakes are top 8 allergen free, are easy to make, and delicious! These make great allergy friendly birthday or school treats
Organic vegan chocolate cupcakes with naturally-colored unicorn frosting that have less than half the amount of sugar of traditional cupcakes. * Note: Dairy-Free, but NOT Gluten-Free.
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Here are a few other tips to help add to the ease of bringing your allergy free cupcake game to the next level.
Reusable Cupcake Holder: I like to have something for easy transport that will help the frosting hold its shape. Nothing is more disappointing than having your allergy safe cupcakes get smooshed while enroute to your party.
Disposable Cupcake Holder: Here is an another great option that you can store flat, pop up as you need and dispose of when finished. Who doesn’t love the convenient handle!
Dye-free sprinkles- I love these great dye-free sprinkle options from Supernatural. Even better- try the ones that come in dinosaur or star shapes!
Freezing cupcakes- I keep freezing my cupcakes very simple. I freeze cupcakes with the frosting on in individual sandwich ziploc bags, then put all of those individual bags into one large gallon freezer bag. That helps make it easier to just pull out one at a time as I need them to thaw.
What are your favorite gluten free dairy free cupcakes for your family? I’d love to hear what works for you in the comments below!
You may also want to check out my post on our 75 + Nut-Free Easter Candy for some additional sweet ideas for allergen free candy options!
Stephanie Joyce, MS, RDN, LD, SNS, a registered dietitian and mom of two, has been in the child nutrition field for 15 years. After working for the Alliance for a Healthier Generation and raising her son with multiple food allergies, she now focuses on helping families of young kids who have food allergies learn how to live and eat well.