Top 15 gluten-free cake recipes

The secret to the lightness of this gluten-free cake is whipping up five egg whites and gently folding them into your chocolate mixture. The result is a wonderfully crunchy topping and a gooey, fudgy middle. For the real chocoholics out there, you could serve this alongside one of our best hot chocolates.

2. Gluten-free cupcakes

Keep it simple with a vanilla cupcake complete with vanilla buttercream topping. If you're feeling more creative, top with gluten-free decorations or sprinkles. Or, try our gluten-free muffins.

3. 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. Discover the health benefits of cardamom.

4. 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. For another irresistible dessert, try our gluten-free sticky toffee pudding.

5. 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. For another refreshing dessert, try our gluten-free white chocolate & raspberry cheesecake.

6. 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. Discover how to master free-from baking.

7. 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. Next discover our gluten-free apple crumble recipe.

8. 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. Next, why not try our gluten-free banana pancakes?

9. 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. Learn our tips for cooking with polenta.

10. 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. For another delicately spiced bake, try our gluten-free gingerbread.

11. 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. Why not follow them up with our gluten-free lemon shortbread?

12. 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.

13. 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. Discover more pavlova inspiration.

14. 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. Try more flourless cake recipes.

15. 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.

Discover more of our best ever gluten-free Christmas cakes.

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