Top 13 gluten-free cake recipes
Gluten-free baking? It's easier than you might think. We've got some brilliant recipes for you to try, from gluten-free lemon drizzle cake to carrot cake loaf and flourless chocolate cake.
From ground pistachios to whole puréed oranges, polenta and even mashed potato (yes, really!), there are so many clever baking ingredients that you can use in place of flour. Explore some of our favourite gluten-free baking recipes here, including lemon polenta cake, a flourless chocolate number slathered with velvety frosting, and an aromatic orange cake drenched in rosemary and cardamom syrup.
For more ideas, check out our best ever gluten-free cake recipes, gluten-free pancake recipes and read our top 10 tips for a gluten-free diet.
1. Orange olive oil cake
Sophisticated, aromatic and utterly delicious, our orange olive oil cake gets so many 5/5 reviews. It’s fun to make, too – you boil a whole orange before puréeing it with a little lemon to make a smooth paste, which forms the base of your cake. Don’t forget to top with a fragrant rosemary and cardamom drizzle.
2. Flourless chocolate & almond cake
This rich chocolate and almond cake is perfect for dessert. As it bakes, the centre stays gloriously dense and squidgy, almost like a brownie. It's flourless and gluten-free – just ensure your cocoa powder and chocolate are, too.
3. Strawberry & pistachio olive oil cake
Another bake that makes the most of olive oil, this strawberry & pistachio cake is made irresistibly moist by using polenta instead of flour. Fresh strawberries and ground pistachios add to the list of delicious ingredients, and it’s best served with a dollop of crème fraîche.
4. Gluten-free chocolate cake
Create this tower of chocolatey goodness with the help of gluten-free flour and xanthan gum. Two rich, dense sponges are divided and topped with layers of silky smooth dark chocolate icing. Our gluten-free chocolate cake is perfect for a birthday party or other celebration – you can pipe some rosettes on top of the cake for decoration or get creative with your own design.
5. Apple & almond cake
Not only is this apple & almond cake free from flour (instead, ground almonds and apple sauce bind the batter together), there’s also no refined sugar or butter needed either. Use maple or agave syrup for subtle sweetness, plus cinnamon for gentle warmth. Top with a quick maple syrup and apple glaze.
6. Gluten-free banana bread
Use overripe bananas to make this easy gluten-free banana bread, along with gluten-free flour, oats and ground almonds. Serve thick slices for afternoon tea, or as a sweet mid-morning snack.
7. Lemon & polenta cake
Polenta is such a great ingredient to have in the cupboard if you follow a gluten-free diet. This classic, crowd-pleasing lemon and polenta cake is gorgeously moist with a sharp citrus tang and lip-smacking sugary lemon glaze.
8. Gluten-free carrot cake
An absolute classic, our carrot cake recipe contains none of the gluten but all of the classic flavours. Put your gluten-free flour to great use in this teatime bake, made with cinnamon, sultanas and mixed nuts. Don’t forget the seriously good cinnamon frosting on top.
9. Gluten-free lemon drizzle cake
Another of Britain’s favourite cakes, this time made gluten free with a surprising ingredient – mashed potato! You can’t taste it, but the potato binds the batter together in place of flour, and also helps guarantee a moist sponge alongside ground almonds. Our gluten-free lemon drizzle cake is a must-try.
10. Flourless chocolate cake
Plenty of dark chocolate and half a dozen eggs are essential to the fudgy texture of this flourless chocolate cake. Add coffee powder for depth and intensity of flavour. It’s especially good served with fresh red berries, or a sprinkle of icing sugar.
11. Amaretto meringue cake with strawberries & cherries
This elegant amaretto meringue cake with strawberries & cherries is an amazing summer dessert. It’s a layered pavlova that’s inspired by the fruity filling of the Austrian dessert, Spanische windtorte, with strawberries, cream, cherries and almonds.
12. Flourless chocolate & pear cake
Our flourless chocolate and pear cake is as beautiful as it is delicious. It’s made without gluten by using toasted, ground hazelnuts (so aromatic and buttery) in place of flour, and there’s a little brandy in there for an extra kick, too.
13. Gluten-free Christmas cake
You can make this impressive Gluten-free Christmas cake (it's also dairy, nut and egg-free) at any time of the year as it's perfect for every occasion. The sponge is studded with plump dried fruits and glacé cherries. Decorate it how you like with icing and marzipan.
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