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
John / Kitchen Riffs says
Terrific recipe! Was happy to see it the first time, and the second time is even sweeter. Thanks!
Leanne | Crumb Top Baking says
Great new pics Kelsie! These are still on my list to try! The coconut is just calling my name!
Marie says
These look great. I have a few gluten free friends who will be extremely happy when I rock up with a batch of these.
Shashi at SavorySpin says
I’m so glad you reposted these – these are my kinda cupcakes – and like you, I’d eat **only two** meaning at least three!! 🙂 Also, that frosting sounds wonderful – have you tried making a similar frosting with Greek Yogurt? Just gotta strain the GY a long while and then mix it with a sweetner – so good!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
I remember these!!! I mean, I’m cuckoo for coconut, so of course I remember these! I love the new photos – just gorgeous my friend (but honestly the first ones had me drooling too!)! I’m so glad you re-posted these! Reminds me I need to make them ASAP! DELISH!
annie@ciaochowbambina says
Coconut Cupcakes are probably the flavor most requested around my house! Thanks for reposting! Pretty photos, my friend!
Laura says
Kelsie,
referring to my comment last year: I’m STILL waiting for S3 of “the Crown”. And still hoping Cookie makes her way into a Disney book. Not sure which I’m hoping more! But these coconut cupcakes look so dang amazing! Love that they are gluten-free, for my gluten-shunning friends!
David @ Spiced says
Great (new) photos, Kelsie! But where did the story about your sister and the Disney books go?? I hope it’s not lost to the internet garbage truck! I do love coconut flavored desserts (especially in the Spring), so I need to put these on the to-bake list for sure. Yum!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
One of my favorites to make for my GF friends Kelsie! Love coconut! These are totally irresistible!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
Why stop at 3? Great new pics and love that they’re coconut! Coconut is one of my faves. They look so fluffy and delicious. Pinned! Happy Monday to ya, Kelsie 🙂
Teesh Osita says
Kelsie!!! If you ever need a black sheep in the family, you can totally adopt me as a sister – I’ll buy Cookie more clothes and eat all your cupcakes (aka help you balance your diet lol) while reading whatever Tessa decides to write, and I’ll even watch Game of Thrones & Stranger Things! Belated happy birthday to your sister!
Kelsie says
Haha! Thank you, Teesh! You’re the sweetest adopted sister ever!
grace says
coconut desserts are THE BEST. very thoughtful of you!
Kelsie says
Thank you, Grace!
Emily K says
Love coconut anything! These look amazing and I love that it uses clean ingredients! 🙂
Kelsie says
Thank you, Emily!
lindenandlavender says
These cupcakes sound divine! I have not yet tried a coconut cream topping as I always forget to refrigerate it overnight. I like your line “such is the the life of a food blogger”- I hear ya on that one! 😉
Kelsie says
Thank you so much!
Christina says
I’m on vacation in Florida with my family and I literally just ran around with Kieran’s laptop showing everybody how amazing your cupcakes look! Seriously lady, these cupcakes look LEGIT! Also, happy birthday to your sister 🙂
Kelsie says
Awww thanks, Christina!
Maria Doss says
Happy birthday to your amazing sister!!! Coconut all the way…this cupcake is totally my jam. Baking with only almond flour is very tricky and you’ve nailed it Kelsie:)
Kelsie says
Thank you, Maria!
Miriam @londonkitchendiaries says
Happy Birthday Tessa! Your sister sounds very impressive – even though that she does not like cheesecake, well we all have our flaws 😉 Your gluten free cupcakes look amazing, always on the lookout for GF recipes since my husband had to change his diet and I love that they freeze easily! Have a nice weekend, Kelsie!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Happy birthday to your younger sister, who if I do say so myself, sounds freakin’ AMAZING! I see talent runs in the family, ehhh? 😉 These cupcakes are the perfect way to celebrate, girlfriend! I’m a HUUUUGE fan of all things coconut, so these would be dangerous around me! I mean, I’ll take THEM ALL! Cheers, doll!
Kelsie says
Thank you, Chey! She’s pretty dang cool! Happy almost-Friday, girlie!
Marissa (@pinchandswirl) says
Wow! Your sister has quite the resume! I bet she’s blushing over this post!! 😉
And these cupcakes, yes please! That frosting is genius! I could just eat it with a spoon!
Kelsie says
Haha–I don’t think she read it :). Thank you, Marissa!
stacey @ The Sugar Coated Cottage says
These cupcakes look soooo good, I would have never guessed they were gluten free. Your sister is a lucky bday girl! I haven’t finished watching either of those shows either lol, shhh don’t tell anyone 😉 . Take care.
Kelsie says
Thank you, Stacey!