Super Moist Gluten Free Cake (2024)

Super Moist Gluten Free Cake (1)

By Karlee / July 20, 2016

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Let’s take this all the way back. Back to my first post ever, andhow scared I was to develop a good gluten-free cake recipe. Because hey, when Bob’s Red Mill makes an awesome mix on their own, you kind of rest on your laurels. But I am all about scratch ya’ll.

Ya’ll?

That got weird.

Yes, I love scratch. And gluten-free was a sore spot for me, but mainly because I thought it couldn’t be done. I have to say that gluten is kind of wonderful to all those people without intolerance to it.

Gluten is the wonderful thing that makes pasta stretchy, makes bread chewy, and is all the wonderful-tasty-carby stuff. So, when we take it out of cake, it can be dry and crumbly, and tastes kind of like rice. Over the course of this year, I’ve problem-solved and tested to make (in my opinion) the best gluten-free cake recipe.

And not a minute too soon, because last weekend I had to make two gluten-free wedding cakes! Thank the good Lord I had this recipe in my back pocket. Below, I’ve written down my very scientific, super-interesting, recipe development, problem-solving steps.


Texture – The gluten-free flour I love to use is Cup4Cup. It has a smooth, fine texture and helps so much when making a lighter cake. I’ve also used the Namastebrand from Costco and it’s a great second and super economical. If your okay with spending a little more cash to get it right, try the Cup4Cup.

Moisture – for some reason gluten-free cakes tend to get a little dry. Any gluten-free cake will dry out super-fast andget hard on the outside if it’s not properly refrigerated and covered. I swear by always using buttermilk and adding a little more fat into the batter to compensate for the dryness.

Taste – As I’ve said before, sometimes gluten-free has a different taste. Along with using plenty of high quality vanilla extract, I also add in some lemon zest. Lemon zest is the cure-all for me. It doesn’t make the cake super citrus-y, but it does balance out the flavor perfectly.

Voilà!

Dear gluten-free cake: I finally did it! I’m no longer scared of you. You are mine now, I own you.

Give it a try andpleaselet me know how you like it. It doesn’t take much, no special technique, just a few tricks. Let me know what other things you have done to change up your gluten-free cake recipes! I’d love to hear!

More cake!

Browned Butter Cake with Bourbon Salted Caramel

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cake

Champagne Cake with Italian Meringue Buttercream

Honey Cake with a Matcha Meringue Buttercream

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Super Moist Gluten Free Cake

Super Moist Gluten Free Cake (15)

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★★★★★5 from 6 reviews

The best gluten-free cake recipe with the taste and texture of a wheat-flour cake. Find out what makes this cake super moist and tasty!

  • Author: Karlee Flores
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup butter melted

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 tablespoon vanilla

1 3/4 cup sugar

4 eggs, room temp

2 1/2 cups gluten free flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 1/4 cup buttermilk, room temp

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Line three 8 inch cake pans with parchment and grease. Set aside.

In a standing mixer add the melted butter, vegetable oil, vanilla and sugar and whisk together. Add in eggs one at a time while scraping down the bowl in between. Don’t over beat the eggs.

Sift dry ingredients together in a separate bowl. Add in half of the dry ingredients and mix on low until combined. Add in half of the buttermilk and mix on low until combined. Repeat. Scrape down the bowl again and mix on low for 30 seconds.

Divide the batter between the cake pans and smooth until even.

Bake for 20 – 25 minutes. Start checking at about 17 minutes. Don’t over brown. Bake until it’s just about to turn golden. A toothpick should come out with some crumbs.

Keywords: baking, cake, gf, gluten free, moist cake

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Super Moist Gluten Free Cake (2024)

FAQs

How do you add moisture to a gluten free cake? ›

Tips for best results
  1. Add some almond flour: Using a small amount of almond flour in your baking can enhance the taste and texture dramatically. ...
  2. Add more fat or liquid: It might just be that you need a bit more moisture in your recipe, especially if you're converting a regular “gluten-ful” recipe to gluten-free.
Jan 8, 2022

How do you increase moisture in gluten free baking? ›

Honey and agave as a sugar substitute can enhance moisture as well, but be aware that you should cut down slightly on the other liquids you are using in the recipe, as honey and agave are not solid ingredients. Adding an extra egg or oil can also help, but use caution.

Why are my gluten free cakes so dry? ›

Some gluten free flours will produce a cake which is on the dry side. This might be due to the lack of gluten but can be for many other reasons. Lots of gluten free flour is rice based and this can result in a dry and slightly gritty texture.

How do you make gluten free dessert less dry? ›

Moisture – for some reason gluten-free cakes tend to get a little dry. Any gluten-free cake will dry out super-fast and get hard on the outside if it's not properly refrigerated and covered. I swear by always using buttermilk and adding a little more fat into the batter to compensate for the dryness.

What is the secret to moist gluten-free baking? ›

Add extra liquid: Gluten-free flours tend to absorb more liquid than regular flour, so you may need to add more liquid to your recipes to compensate. This can help to keep your baked goods moist and prevent them from becoming dry and crumbly.

Should you let gluten-free cake batter sit before baking? ›

We recommend covering your batters and doughs and letting them rest for at least half an hour. Note: This will also help batters become thicker and doughs to firm up.

What to avoid for gluten free baking? ›

Some baking ingredients that contain gluten (and thus are not suitable for a gluten-free diet) include:
  • Wheat.
  • Semolina.
  • Spelt.
  • Durum.
  • Emmer.
  • Einkorn.
  • Rye, sometimes referred to as pumpernickel.
  • Barley.
Mar 29, 2021

Why did my gluten-free cake turn out gummy? ›

Gluten-free baked goods often benefit from extra liquid to hydrate the flour blends, eliminate grittiness, and achieve a less dense or dry texture. However, it's very important to drive off this extra moisture during baking, or you'll wind up with a gummy texture.

Why are my gluten free cakes so dense? ›

If gluten-free cakes aren't falling apart, they often turn out heavy and unpleasantly dense. That's because gluten creates little pockets of air, so baked goods turn out springy and fluffy; gluten-free flours and grains are lacking this crucial element.

What helps gluten-free cakes rise? ›

Gluten-free flour blends don't have the same elasticity as flour containing gluten so often the cakes don't rise as much or will sink after rising. To combat the flat cake problem, I add ½ tsp of bicarbonate of soda to the recipe even when using a self-raising gluten-free flour blend.

How to make a gluten-free cake less crumbly? ›

If the flour you are using doesn't already contain xanthan gum, combining quarter of a teaspoon to every 200g/7oz of gluten-free flour will help to improve the crumb structure of your bake. You can also use guar gum or a combination of the two.

Why is my gluten-free cake sunk in the middle? ›

It's very common for gluten free baked goods to sink in the middle and sometimes it's even gummy or looks like it isn't fully cooked. Here's some ways to help avoid that: -Don't over-mix your dough. Mix it until everything is just incorporated and be done.

Does gluten-free flour need more moisture? ›

Gluten free flours absorb more moisture. You can compensate by removing some flour (~1-2 Tbsp/cup, or 8-16 g) or by adding moisture. Depending on the recipe, this could be more water, milk, or an extra egg.

What does baking soda do in gluten-free baking? ›

Texture and Rise: Gluten-free baking often requires a bit of finesse to achieve the desired rise and texture. Baking soda's reaction with an acid can help achieve that necessary lift, while baking powder provides an extra boost when the batter or dough is exposed to heat.

What does cream of tartar do in gluten-free baking? ›

A: Yes, cream of tartar can be used in gluten-free bread recipes to improve dough stability and rise.

Is there a way to add moisture to a dry cake? ›

The 4 Best Ways to Fix a Dry Cake
  1. Brush the cake with a simple syrup glaze.
  2. Soak your cake in milk or cream.
  3. Add frosting.
  4. Fill your cake with mousse or jam.
May 14, 2023

What to do if gluten-free dough is too dry? ›

7- How do I fix crumbly gluten free cookie dough? If your cookie dough is too dry and crumbly, just add back to the mixing bowl and stir in a couple tablespoons of your favorite milk or an egg. Add more if needed – the dough needs to hold together, but most cookie doughs shouldn't be sticky.

What ingredient in a cake helps to absorb liquids and add moisture? ›

Sugar adds sweetness and flavor but also aids in browning, tenderizing, maintaining moistness, and preserving the shelf life of the cake. Sugar acts as a tenderizer by absorbing water, inhibiting flour gluten development, and incorporating air into shortening during the creaming process.

How do you add fiber to gluten free baked goods? ›

Flours are a half-cup each of: gluten-free oat, brown rice, millet and tapioca. Most of these already have lots of fiber. But then the additional fibres are: 1/4 cup chia seeds, 1/4 cup flax seeds, which you grind before adding.

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