Easy to make and packed with coconut, these gluten-free coconut cupcakes are also paleo and refined sugar-free. They’re a delicious dessert for spring or any time of year!
This post was originally published in March of 2018. I’ve updated the post with new photography but the recipe is the same.
Just in time for spring baking, here are some gluten-free coconut cupcakes! And guess what? They’re paleo—meaning grain-free and refined sugar-free—too!
You GUYS! If you have people in your life who avoid gluten and/or sugar then I’ve gotcha covered. These cupcakes were a hit with my paleo friends but they’re yummy enough that even I ate two. (And by two you know I mean three.)
Why you’ll love these gluten-free coconut cupcakes:
- You don’t need a stand mixer to make them!
- They’re freezable so you can make them ahead for times when a cupcake craving strikes
- They’re super EASY to make
Gluten-Free Coconut Cupcakes, Step by Step
Combine almond flour, baking soda, salt, and coconut in a small mixing bowl and stir to combine.
Stir together coconut milk, eggs, coconut butter, coconut oil, honey, and vanilla in a second mixing bowl.
Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients with a rubber spatula, then divide the batter between six paper-lined muffin cups. Bake about 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the cupcakes comes out clean.
Cool the cupcakes, then beat chilled coconut cream (NOT cream of coconut) until it’s very light and fluffy. Beat in some honey and vanilla if you want, frost your cupcakes, and SERVE!
Gluten-free coconut cupcakes: just the thing to make Easter (or any given Sunday) that much sweeter :). Bake yourself a batch and enjoy!
More gluten-free treats (in case you’re hungry)
Coconut Cream Brownies
Paleo Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
Coconut Flour Blueberry Muffins
Did you make these gluten-free coconut cupcakes? Let me know what you think with a comment and a rating below! And post a pic on Insta too–tag @theitsybitsykitchen so I can see your gorgeous creations!
- 1 cup + 2 tablespoons almond flour
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut + more for garnish if desired
- 1/2 cup full-fat coconut milk
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons coconut butter
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil melted
- 2 tablespoons raw honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 13-ounce can coconut cream, refrigerated overnight*
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 to 3 teaspoons raw honey more or less to taste (optional)
- tiny pinch of salt
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line 6 muffin cups with cupcake liners and set pan aside.
- Mix the almond flour, baking soda, salt, and coconut in a small mixing bowl. In a second bowl, stir together the coconut milk, eggs, coconut butter, coconut oil, honey, and vanilla until well combined. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients with a rubber spatula.
- Divide the batter between the prepared muffin cups, filling each almost to the top, and bake about 18 to 20 minutes, until a cake tester inserted into the center of the cupcakes comes out clean.
- Cool cupcakes in pan for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
- Chill a medium mixing bowl in the freezer for 10 minutes.
- Open the can of coconut cream (or coconut milk) and scrape the solids off the top with a spoon. Discard the water at the bottom.
- Place the cream in the chilled bowl and beat with an electric mixer set to medium until very fluffy. Add the vanilla, honey (if using), and salt and beat to combine. Taste and add additional honey if desired.
- Spread the frosting over the cupcakes and top with additional unsweetened coconut if desired. (I toasted my coconut first to add a little color.)
*If you can’t find cans of coconut cream at the store, refrigerate a can or two of full-fat coconut milk overnight. The cream will solidify at the top and you’ll need a little more than a cup.
Uneaten cupcakes can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days or in the freezer (wrapped well) for up to 2 months.
Adapted from Paleo Desserts for Dummies
Ashika | Gardening Foodie says
Happy birthday to your super talented sister Kelsie…Wow writing three Disney books and working on Game of thrones and stranger things…that is super impressive.
Amazing talent definitely runs in your family with your stunning and delicious baking. You both must be so proud of each other😊
It is so great that you baked these gorgeous coconut cupcakes to celebrate your sisters birthday…it looks just so good😋
Kelsie says
Thank you so much, Ashika! I hope you’re having a wonderful week, my friend!
kitchenriffs says
Of course now we want to know what your sister would trade YOU for? 😀 Happy Birthday to your sister. And we should all make these terrific looking cupcakes to help celebrate. Or so we don’t risk getting traded.
Kelsie says
Hahaha! Probably coconut cupcakes 🙂 Thank you!
dawnyucuiscooking says
I love coconut too. Happy birthday to your sister! That amazing that she has written three Disney Books. I see that writing runs in your family, you always write such wonderful posts. The cupcakes look amazing!
Kelsie says
Thank you, Dawn!
puja says
Happy birthday to your sister Kelsie. I love coconut so this recipe is definitely for me. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Kelsie says
Thank you so much, Puja!
Leanne | Crumb Top Baking says
You are so sweet Kelsie! It sounds like you have a great relationship with your sister! I hope she has a wonderful birthday. In the meantime, I need to make myself a batch of these cupcakes ASAP. I love all things coconut especially coconut cream frosting! And I love that these are gluten free! YUM!
Kelsie says
Thank you, Leanne!
Kelly @ Kelly Lynns Sweets and Treats says
Awww I love that you made these for your sister and family, even though you had to eat them all yourself hehehehe. These cupcakes look so light in texture! And because they are healthy, I get to eat two right?!
Kelsie says
Thank you, Kelly! You could even have three!
Carlee says
I’d like to adopt your sister as one of my own… she sounds pretty cool. Plus if we are both her sisters, we can gang up on her and break her unwillingness to like cheesecake. I mean, what the….?! Either way, these cupcakes look amazing and I read this as they are basically a health food, so I have to make them and eat them all!
Kelsie says
Haha! I can just see us forcing cheesecake down her throat until she likes it :). Thank you, Carlee!
Katherine | Love In My Oven says
Your sister sounds like a pretty rad gal!! Almost as rad as you for making her these cupcakes – so sweet! I love the zero refined-sugar idea, and coconut whipped cream is pretty amazing. PS – you HAVE to watch Stranger Things. And GOT but mostly Stranger Things.
Kelsie says
Thank you, Katherine! They’re both on my list 🙂
thatskinnychickcanbake says
I hope I get brownie points b/c I love chocolate, coconut AND cheesecake! Happy birthday to your dear sister!!! I wish someone would bake these yummy cupcakes for MY birthday!
Kelsie says
You definitely get brownie points! Thank you, Liz!
Ben|Havocinthekitchen says
Despite the fact you were trying to sell her…mmm some years ago (wanted to wright down “many years ago, but then I realized it might be rude), your sister is a very decent person! Trust me – not many siblings and other relatives do subscribe to blogs 🙂 I should notice you’re a nice and caring person too as not many siblings/relatives will bake some delicious cupcakes to celebrate one’s birthday…and then eat them all by yourself haha 🙂
Kelsie says
Haha! It was many years ago. . .I’m too old :). Thank you, Ben!
Thao @ In Good Flavor says
Wow! That is so cool about your sister! Talent runs in the family! I have never binge watched a show but Stranger Things would be one of the ones I’d watch. These cupcakes are my cup of tea—you got me at coconut. And the fact that they healthy, I love them even more. I need to make a batch for some guilt-free snacking!
Kelsie says
Thank you, Thao! These really are the perfect guilt-free treat 🙂
evolvewithmary says
I don’t think I’ve ever had coconut cupcakes, I know for sure I’ve never had gluten free coconut cupcakes. Happy soon to be Birthday Tessa 🙂 I’ve never tired to sell my sister but I’m pretty sure no one would have purchased her lol. What she hates cheesecake? That’s crazy to hear, lol. Wow your sister is super talented, thank you for sharing her IMDb page. I love Game of Thrones but ti took me an entire season to really get into it. I love the roasted coconuts on top of the cupcakes, roasted coconut is one of my favorite things to snack on.
Kelsie says
Haha! Not sure if I would’ve had takers either but it was worth a shot to my 5-yr-old mind :). Thank you, Mary!
Laura says
You and your sister both have such awesome creative jobs – congratulations to both of you! I love this recipe, anything coconut is welcome any day of the week! I just finished Season 2 of Stranger Things. Hmm, not sure I can take Season 3, but we will see! GoT I know is good, but, so many seasons I don’t really want to get hooked on something else, especially since I’m waiting with baited breath for S3 of “The Crown”! So good. But in the meantime, I may be making these cupcakes, just to get me through. I second your motion to make “Cookie” a character in a princess book!
Kelsie says
I’m forwarding your comment on to my sister so she can see Cookie needs to be a character! Thank you so much, Laura!
lynne hoareau says
Well, I see talent runs in the family … Now, for those cupcakes OMW, they do sound divine and are so perfect for me…ummm gluten intolerance thingy and you know I love coconut, so I am good to go. I just need to get the almond flour and I am making those babies.
Kelsie says
Aww thank you, Lynne! Let me know what you think!
Milena says
Wow! I very much enjiyed reading your post. Very inspirational to learnof the breadth of expression of the creativity genes in your family! I cannot blame you for eating all the cupcakes. Their texture sounds amazing and they just look adorable. When you make the next batch maybe you can watch GOT:)
Kelsie says
Thank you so much, Milena! I’ll watch someday. Everyone I know loves it so I need to see what I’m missing!
annie@ciaochowbambina says
Your little sister sounds as cool as her big sister! So much creativity flying around your house! Holidays must be awesome! I love this cupcake! Love it! Pinned!
Kelsie says
Awwww thank you, Annie!
Mary Ann @ thebeachhousekitchen says
Happy Birthday to your sister Kelsie! Wow! So exciting to work on Stranger Things and GOT!! These cupcakes look delicious! I love anything coconut! Count me in for a few!
Kelsie says
Thank you, Mary Ann! I’ll save them for you!
Dawn @ Girl Heart Food says
Whoa – your sister sounds pretty AMAZING!! And happy birthday to her!! These cupcakes sound delicious, Kelsie! I’m such a coconut fan. Definitely my jam, along with lemon. I could definitely eat a whole bunch of these in one sitting if I let myself. P.S. whatever cheesecake your sister doesn’t want, you can send along to me, ok 😉 ??
Kelsie says
OOOOHHHHH now I think I’ll make them with lemon frosting next time! Yum! And I’ll totally always let you have her share of cheesecake!
Kim | The Baking ChocolaTess says
Happy Birthday Tessa! Wow, that’s so impressive about your sister’s accomplishments and going after her dreams! What a life! Those cupcakes look and sound amazing! I’m loving the healthy coconut vibe!! Sometimes we need balance and these are perfect for that! YUM & Pinning!
Kelsie says
Thank you, Kim! I didn’t feel too guilty for eating them all because of the whole paleo thing–balance is good!
David @ Spiced says
Ummmm…wait a hot second. Your sister writes Disney books…and has worked on Game of Thrones and Stranger Things!? Ok, I’m super impressed now. Both of those series are amazing, and you need to stop everything (job, blog, talking to Cookie) until you watch them. Hah! Seriously, though, that’s awesome that your sister works in the special effects arena. Good thing you didn’t trade her for a tootsie roll! 🙂 Also, these cupcakes sound delicious, and I’m sure Tessa really appreciates that you ate all of them on her behalf. They really do sound delicious, Kelsie!
Kelsie says
Thank you, David! She’s pretty amazing! GoT is on my list to watch soon. . .so I might get to it in a decade or so :). Have a great week!