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Gluten-free vanilla birthday cake on a plate with naturally dyed sprinkles.

Gluten-Free Vanilla Birthday Cake

Moist, fluffy gluten free birthday cake that’s dairy free and naturally sweetened. Perfect for celebrating without compromising flavor.
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Author: Katie Stewart

Ingredients

Cake Ingredients (Makes two 8-inch layers)

  • 2 ¼ cups gluten-free flour blend tested with King Arthur Measure for Measure Gluten-Free Flour, which includes xanthan gum
  • 1 ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp sea salt
  • 3 large eggs
  • ½ cup pure maple syrup
  • ½ cup melted coconut oil
  • 1 cup unsweetened non-dairy milk
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp almond extract
  • ⅓ cup naturally dyed sprinkles optional

Frosting Ingredients

  • 1 cup coconut butter softened in warm water
  • ¼ cup maple syrup
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 4 –6 tbsp full-fat coconut milk from a can — more for a creamier texture
  • Pinch of sea salt

Berry Jam Filling

  • ½ cup of Homemade Chia Jam with berries of choice or your favorite berry jam

Instructions

Prep the Cake Batter

  • Prep the pans: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment and lightly grease the sides with coconut oil.
  • Mix the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour, baking powder, baking soda, and sea salt.
  • Mix the wet ingredients: In another bowl, whisk the eggs, maple syrup, melted coconut oil, non-dairy milk, vanilla, and almond extract until smooth.
  • Combine: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture and stir until just combined — no overmixing! Gently fold in sprinkles if using.
  • Bake: Divide the batter evenly between the pans and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Cool completely: Let the cakes rest in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Make the Frosting

  • In a mixing bowl, combine softened coconut butter, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt.
  • Add coconut milk 1 tablespoon at a time, whisking or blending until smooth, creamy, and spreadable.
  • If it’s too soft, add a little more coconut butter to thicken.

Assemble the Cake

  • Place one cake layer on your serving plate and spread a generous layer of berry jam across the top.
  • Add the second cake layer and frost the entire cake with the coconut butter frosting.
  • Decorate with sprinkles, fresh berries, or edible flowers.
  • Let sit at room temperature for 15–20 minutes before serving for the best texture.