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Easiest Gluten-Free Celebration Cake: Simple & Delicious Recipe

Gluten-free cake slice on plate, sprinkles, crumbs.

The Easiest Gluten-Free Celebration Cake

Hey there, fellow gluten-free food lovers! I've got a confession: sometimes, the pressure to create a show-stopping, elaborate cake for a special occasion feels… well, daunting. Especially when you're navigating the world of gluten-free baking! That's why I'm SO excited to share this recipe with you today. It's not a complex, layered masterpiece that requires hours glued to the kitchen counter. Instead, it's a beautifully simple, irresistibly delicious, and delightfully easy gluten-free celebration cake that is sure to impress without the stress. Seriously, this cake has become my go-to for birthdays, anniversaries, or just those "I need cake" kind of days. I remember once, I whipped this up just an hour before a friend was coming over, and she was convinced I'd been slaving over it all afternoon. That's the magic of a truly great simple recipe, right? Let's dive in!

Ingredients You'll Need:

  • 1 ½ cups gluten-free all-purpose flour blend (make sure it contains xanthan gum, or add ½ tsp separately)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (use a vegan alternative for dairy-free)
  • ½ cup vegetable oil (or melted coconut oil)
  • 2 large eggs (or flax eggs for vegan: 2 tbsp flax meal + 6 tbsp water, let sit for 5 mins)
  • 1 cup buttermilk (or dairy-free alternative like almond milk with 1 tbsp lemon juice or apple cider vinegar stirred in and left to sit for 5 mins)
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt

For the optional frosting suggestions, see the "Tips & Tricks" section!

Let's Get Baking! (Simple Instructions, Promise)

  1. Get Ready: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan (or a square pan if that's what you have!). I like to use a parchment paper lining on the bottom for extra insurance. Nobody wants a cake stuck to the pan, especially on celebration day!
  2. Cream the Sugars and Butter: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar until it's nice and fluffy. If you have a stand mixer, this step is a breeze, but an electric hand mixer works just as well!
  3. Add the Wet Ingredients: Beat in the vegetable oil (or melted coconut oil) until well combined. Then, add the eggs (or flax eggs) one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract. Don't worry if the mixture looks a bit curdled at this stage, it'll all come together!
  4. Dry Ingredient Time: In a separate bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
  5. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk. Start with a third of the dry ingredients, then half the buttermilk, repeat and finish with the last of the dry. Mix until just combined. Don't overmix! Overmixing can lead to a tough cake which we definitely want to avoid.
  6. Bake: Pour the batter into your prepared cake pan and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (or with just a few moist crumbs). Every oven is a little different so start checking around the 30 minute mark with a toothpick.
  7. Cool Down: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely. Trust me, this will prevent the cake from breaking or crumbling.

Tips & Tricks (Let's Get Creative!)

Okay, this cake is fantastic as is, but let's be honest, cake can always be… more. Here are some ways you can customize it to your heart's content:

  • Flavor Enhancements: Feel free to add a teaspoon of almond extract or lemon zest to the batter for a subtle twist. A hint of spice like cinnamon or nutmeg also works wonders!
  • Frosting Options:
    • Classic Cream Cheese Frosting: My personal favorite goes so well with this cake. Simply beat together 8 oz softened cream cheese, ½ cup unsalted butter, softened, 3 cups powdered sugar, and 1 tsp vanilla extract until smooth and dreamy. Add a little milk if needed for desired consistency.
    • Chocolate Ganache: Melt equal parts chocolate chips and heavy cream (or coconut cream) for a decadent topping.
    • Simple Glaze: Mix powdered sugar with lemon juice or milk for a quick and easy glaze.
  • Fruit Lovers Delight: Layer the cake with fresh berries and a dollop of whipped cream (or coconut cream) for a summery, festive treat.
  • Make it a Layer Cake: Use two 8-inch cake pans, bake as directed and then split each cake in half for a beautiful 4 layer cake. You can easily double the recipe if you need a bigger cake.
  • Dietary Swaps: If you need a dairy-free cake make sure you use a dairy-free butter substitute and dairy-free buttermilk alternative, and for a vegan cake use flax eggs. You can also explore other gluten-free flour options, but note that it might effect the texture – I love to use a blend that includes a bit of rice flour for extra lightness.
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Simple Gluten-Free Celebration Cake

Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 30-35 Minutes
Yields: 1 – 9 inch round cake

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups gluten-free all-purpose flour blend
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch cake pan.
  2. Cream together butter and sugars until fluffy.
  3. Add oil, then eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla extract.
  4. Whisk dry ingredients in a separate bowl.
  5. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, alternating with buttermilk. Mix until just combined.
  6. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  7. Let cool in pan for 10 mins before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
  8. Frost as desired.

Product Recommendations

Having the right baking tools really does make all the difference. In my experience a good silicone spatula is essential for the mixing steps, and this cooling rack makes the cooling process so easy! Having a good set of measuring cups and measuring spoons will ensure accurate measurements in all your baking recipes.

And there you have it, my friends! A simple, delicious, and celebration-worthy gluten-free cake that anyone can make. I hope you love it as much as I do! Don't forget to let me know what you think in the comments below and post photos of your baking creations on social media, you can tag me too! Happy baking everyone! You've got this!

Gluten-free cake slice on plate, sprinkles, crumbs.

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