The EASIEST Gluten Free Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes

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If you’re craving the ultimate gluten-free dessert, these Gluten-Free Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes are about to become your new obsession. We’re talking rich, super moist chocolate cupcakes topped with the creamiest, dreamiest peanut butter frosting—it’s a match made in dessert heaven! Whether you’re gluten-free by necessity or just love a seriously good cupcake, this easy recipe is perfect for birthdays, potlucks, or just because. Trust me, no one will believe these decadent cupcakes are gluten-free! Ready to bake the best chocolate peanut butter cupcakes of your life? Let’s get into it!

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Ingredients You’ll Need For Gluten Free Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes:

For the Gluten Free Chocolate Cupcakes

• Brown Sugar (Light) – Adds moisture and a rich, slightly caramel-like flavor that enhances the depth of the chocolate.
• Granulated Sugar – Helps sweeten the batter and contributes to the cupcake’s structure and tenderness.
• Gluten-Free Flour (King Arthur Measure for Measure 1:1) – A trusted gluten-free flour blend that makes swapping easy with no additional adjustments needed—perfect for gluten-free baking success.
• Dutch-Processed Cocoa Powder – Gives the cupcakes a deep, smooth chocolate flavor and beautiful dark color.
• Baking Powder – Acts as a leavening agent to help the cupcakes rise and become fluffy.
• Salt – Enhances flavor and balances the sweetness for a well-rounded taste.
• Vegetable Oil – Keeps the cupcakes ultra-moist and soft, even days after baking.
• Whole Eggs + Egg Yolks – Eggs add structure and richness, while the extra yolks boost moisture and give the cupcakes a luscious texture.
• Vanilla Extract – Adds a warm, aromatic flavor that complements both chocolate and peanut butter.
• Whole Milk (Warmed) – Helps create a smooth batter and adds moisture for a tender crumb.
• Strong Coffee – Intensifies the chocolate flavor without adding a coffee taste—this is the secret ingredient for rich, bakery-style chocolate cupcakes!

For The Peanut Butter Frosting:

• Unsalted Butter (Softened) – Forms the rich, creamy base of the frosting; using unsalted butter allows you to control the saltiness.
• Powdered Sugar – Sweetens the frosting and helps it whip up light and fluffy.
• Vanilla Extract – Adds a sweet, cozy flavor that enhances the peanut butter.
• Smooth Peanut Butter – The star of the buttercream! It gives the frosting its signature taste and creamy texture.
• Pinch of Salt – Balances the sweetness and intensifies the peanut butter flavor.
• Splash of Heavy Cream – Loosens the frosting slightly for a silky, spreadable consistency.

Optional Toppings to take these Gluten Free Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes to the next level!

• Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups – Perfect for garnish, these add crunch, extra peanut butter flavor, and a fun, decorative touch.
• Peanut Butter Drizzle – A drizzle of melted peanut butter amps up the flavor and gives your cupcakes that bakery-style finish.

Tips For Making Gluten Free Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes:

1. Use a high-quality gluten-free flour blend – For best results, use a trusted 1:1 gluten-free flour like King Arthur Measure for Measure. It’s designed to mimic the texture of regular flour, making gluten-free baking easier and more consistent.
2. Don’t skip the coffee – Even if you’re not a coffee lover, adding strong brewed coffee to the batter enhances the chocolate flavor without making the cupcakes taste like coffee. It’s a pro tip for rich, chocolatey cupcakes!
3. Warm your milk – Using warm (not hot!) milk helps the ingredients blend more smoothly and prevents the batter from seizing or separating.
4. Don’t overmix the batter – Once the wet and dry ingredients are combined, mix just until smooth. Overmixing can make your cupcakes dense or gummy, especially in gluten-free baking.
5. Use room temperature ingredients – Room temp eggs, butter, and milk combine more easily and evenly, which results in a smoother batter and better rise.
6. Use good quality pans: good quality baking pans contribute to better baking outcomes, ensuring that your cupcakes are cooked evenly, have an appealing appearance, and are easy to release from the pan. I LOVE this cupcake pan from USA Pans!
7. Do NOT open your oven door: opening the oven door results in major heat loss inside your oven. When there is a major change in temperature in your oven it causes the cupcakes to fall after baking resulting in sad cupcakes. Don’t open your oven door until your cupcakes have baked for the proper amount of time listed in the recipe!
8. Cool cupcakes completely before frosting – The peanut butter buttercream is super creamy and can melt if the cupcakes are warm. Let them cool fully to keep the frosting fluffy and perfect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these gluten-free chocolate cupcakes dairy-free too?

Yes! To make these cupcakes dairy-free, you can use plant-based milk. I prefer to use oat milk in place of whole milk, but any plant-based milk will work! For the frosting, substitute a dairy-free butter alternative and use a splash of dairy-free cream or milk to adjust the consistency. Just make sure all your ingredients (including chocolate and peanut butter) are certified gluten- and dairy-free.

Why did my gluten-free cupcakes turn out dry or crumbly?

Gluten-free cupcakes can dry out if overbaked or if the flour-to-liquid ratio isn’t right. Using oil (instead of butter) and adding egg yolks—as this recipe does—helps keep them moist. Be sure to measure flour correctly, spoon and level, don’t pack it in! OR for the most accurate results use a kitchen scale for perfect cupcakes every time! And don’t skip the coffee or milk, which both add needed moisture.

Can I make these cupcakes ahead of time and freeze them?

Absolutely! These gluten-free chocolate cupcakes freeze beautifully. Bake and cool them completely, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. Frost them fresh the day you serve or freeze frosted cupcakes and let them thaw at room temperature for a few hours before enjoying.

More helpful Tips!! Yay!

Below are a few videos related to cupcakes and baking that you may find helpful if you’re more of a visual learner like me 🙂

• How To Get Tall Cupcakes/Muffins
• Two Ingredient Dark Chocolate Ganache for Drizzling!!!
• How To Put a Piping Tip Into A Piping Bag
• How To Soften Butter In the Microwave
• The BEST Baking Hack for How To Make Coffee for Recipes When You Don’t Have A Coffee Maker
• How To Pipe Cupcakes like A PRO!!

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