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Home » Dessert » Light and Fluffy Cassava Flour Cupcakes

Light and Fluffy Cassava Flour Cupcakes

Last Updated March 20, 2023. Published July 2, 2020 Good For You Gluten Free

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Light and Fluffy Cassava Flour Cupcakes
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This post features my delicious, soft and sweet cassava flour cupcakes, topped with a light buttercream frosting and sprinkles for a festive flair. This post is sponsored by Bob’s Red Mill and contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosures.

Cassava flour is a gluten-free flour worth paying attention to if you haven’t already.

It has already taken the Internet by storm, and has proven to be worthy gluten-free flour for baking anything from cassava flour tortillas to the cassava flour cupcakes you’ll see below.

Let’s discuss the benefits of cassava flour and how you can get your hands on it. I’ll also share a wonderful recipe for cassava flour cupcakes with you. Keep scrolling!

Pin image that shows the frosted yellow cupcakes with red and blue sprinkles.

Four Facts About Cassava Flour

Baking with cassava flour has its benefits. Here are four facts you need to know about it before you start baking:

(1) Cassava Flour Mimics Wheat Flour Best

Cassava flour best mimics the taste and texture of wheat flour in gluten-free baked goods, and it doesn’t require a mixture of grains, starches and gums to do it.

In fact, cassava flour is the only ingredient you need to bake a light and airy gluten-free baked good.

Keep in mind, however, that cassava flour works as a 1:1 swap with wheat flour when measured by weight (not volume).

For example, if a recipe calls for 200 grams of wheat flour, you can substitute 200 grams of cassava flour. However, if you need to swap it for 1 cup of wheat flour, you’ll only need about 3/4 cups of cassava flour.

Too much cassava flour will dry out your baked goods and they won’t be moist and fluffy. This is because cassava flour absorbs more liquid than other flours.

(2) Cassava Flour is Gluten-, Grain-, and Nut-Free

Cassava flour is made from the yuca root, a starchy, high-carbohydrate tuber vegetable.

If you can’t eat nuts, or are looking for a paleo, vegan and nut-free flour options, cassava flour is the perfect option for you!

(3) Cassava Flour and Tapioca Flour Are Not the Same

Some people confuse cassava flour with tapioca flour, but these two “flours” work very differently in baked goods.

The two are often confused because they both come from the yuca root.

However, cassava flour is made using the whole yuca root, which is peeled, dried and ground into a flour. Tapioca flour is only the starch extracted from the cassava root and can be used as a thickening agent in baking, similar to cornstarch.

(4) Cassava Flour is Not a “Health” Food

Despite being a gluten- and grain-free flour, and lauded by paleo dieters everywhere, cassava flour is high in carbohydrates, which can spike your blood sugar levels, and is low in nutrients.

Enjoy cassava flour in moderation, just as you would enjoy any baked good in moderation.

Tip! Consider adding in fruits, vegetables, nuts or seeds to improve the nutrient content of your baked goods.

Cassava Flour Brands

There are a few cassava flour brands available today, and likely will be more as this wheat-flour-replacement gains in popularity.

The one brand I’ve been using lately and really like is Bob’s Red Mill Cassava Flour.

Picture of Bob's Red Mill Cassava Flour bag surrounded by an egg, milk, butter and other ingredients.

The ingredients are pure and Bob’s Red Mill employs strict gluten-free protocols in its dedicated gluten-free facility. This assures me that Bob’s Red Mill Cassava Flour is not only good, but also safe for the celiac disease and gluten sensitive communities.

Plus, Bob’s Red Mill is known for its high-quality, minimally-processed products, and has always been committed to feeding anyone on a restricted or special diet. I’m always happy to support – and collaborate – with this brand.

Recipe: Cassava Flour Cupcakes

The best way to get used to baking with cassava flour is to give it a go.

Today I want to share an easy-breezy recipe with you that I made using Bob’s Red Mill Cassava Flour.

You are going to love how simple these cupcakes are to make, and you’ll love how light and fluffy they turn out too.

Upclose picture of Cassava Flour cupcakes already frosted and with colorful sprinkles on top.

First, you’ll want to whisk together the cassava flour, baking powder, and salt in one bowl. Then you’ll want cream your butter and sugar in another bowl, along with your eggs.

Next, you’ll want to add about half of the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and stir until combined. Go slow. Cassava flour becomes dusty when mixed too vigorously.

Picture of cassava flour being added to wet ingredients inside a bowl.

You’ll then add your milk and vanilla extract, mixing until combined, and then add your remaining dry ingredients. Mix until no streaks of cassava flour remain.

This is what your batter will look like once all the ingredients are combined.

Picture of a light batter mixed together thoroughly.

Finally, you’ll fill each cupcake liner about ¾ full with the batter, then bake at 350º F for 16-19 minutes or until the tops of the muffins spring back when you lightly press them and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cupcake comes out clean. Let cool completely before frosting.

Upclose picture of cupcakes baked inside a muffin pan.

Making Buttercream Frosting

No cupcake is complete without buttercream frosting, or at least I think so!

Every gluten-free baker (or wannabe baker) must master the art of buttercream frosting.

Upclose picture of cassava flour cupcakes inside a muffin pan with swirls of buttercream frosting on top.

To make your own buttercream, cream softened butter in a large bowl with your electric mixer until smooth, then add salt, vanilla and gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, until you reach the desired consistency.

You want the frosting smooth and light. If it’s too thick it won’t run properly through your pastry bag, and if it’s too wet, it won’t fluff up nicely on your cupcake.

Decorate your cupcakes however you like. Since this weekend is the 4th of July, I added some red, white and blue sprinkles on top.

Cupcake with frosting and red, white and blue sprinkles.

You’ll notice your cupcakes will be light, airy, and fluffy, which always amazes me that such a thing is possible with a single ingredient flour anymore.

And with the buttercream frosting on top, you, my friend, have a delicious gluten-, grain- and nut-free treat to savor. Enjoy!

Picture of frosted cupcake with a bite taken out of it.

Where to Buy Cassava Flour

You can purchase Bob’s Red Mill Cassava Flour at most health-centric grocery stores nationwide, or online on the Bob’s Red Mill website or on Amazon.com.

Overhead picture of multiple frosted cassava flour cupcakes with sprinkles, a piping bag, and Bob's Red Mill Cassava Flour bag showing.

More Recipes with Bob’s Red Mill

I love baking with various Bob’s Red Mill flours. Please read my article, 15+ classic recipes made with Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 gluten-free flour for more inspiration.

Love baking with almond flour? Try my almond flour pumpkin cupcakes made with Bob’s Red Mill almond flour.

Light and Fluffy Cassava Flour Cupcakes

These cassava flour cupcakes turn out light and fluffy every time! You can't tell they're gluten free or grain free either. Top each cupcake with a layer of sweet buttercream and you've got one tasty cupcake awaiting you!
4.06 from 88 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cassava flour, cupcakes
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 19 minutes minutes
Servings: 12 cupcakes
Calories: 409kcal
Author: Jenny Levine Finke

Ingredients

For the Cupcakes:

  • 1 1/3 cups Bob’s Red Mill Cassava Flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract

For the Frosting:

  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature
  • pinch salt
  • 1/2 tbsp pure vanilla extract
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 1-2 tsp milk
  • 1 tbsp multi-color sprinkles

Instructions

For the Cupcakes:

  • Preheat the oven to 350º F. Line 12 muffin cavities with paper cupcake liners. Set aside.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the Bob’s Red Mill Cassava Flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Add the eggs and mix well.
  • Combine the milk and vanilla extract in a measuring cup or bowl. Set aside.
  • Add half of the dry ingredients to the butter mixture. Stir until combined. Next, add the milk mixture and stir. Add the remaining dry ingredients and stir until no streaks of cassava flour remain. Add batter to each cupcake liner until about ¾ full.
  • Bake for 16-19 minutes or until the tops of the muffins spring back when you lightly press them and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cupcake comes out clean. Let cool completely before frosting.

For the Frosting:

  • Add softened butter to a large bowl. With an electric mixer, cream butter until smooth. Add in the salt and vanilla and mix thoroughly, then gradually add in the powdered sugar, about 1 cup at a time, and mix until combined and frosting is creamy and smooth.
  • Add 1-2 tablespoons of milk until frosting reaches the desired consistency. You don’t want the frosting to be too thick, otherwise it will be difficult to frost the cupcakes if you’re using a pastry bag.
  • Frost the cupcakes however you like. I like to use a pastry bag fit with a star tip. Don't forget to add the sprinkles (optional)!

Notes

Cassava flour soaks up a lot more liquid that typical 1:1 gluten-free flour blends. I’ve found that it is not a 1:1 swap with flour, but instead, use ¾ cup of cassava flour for every 1 cup of regular or gluten-free flour in your recipe.
Store cupcakes in a sealed container or bag for 2-3 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 409kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 80mg | Sodium: 119mg | Potassium: 118mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 44g | Vitamin A: 655IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 83mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @GoodForYouGlutenFree or tag #goodforyouglutenfree!

Filed Under: Cupcakes, Dessert 9 Comments

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Good For You Gluten Free says

    August 30, 2022 at 4:12 pm

    I’m not sure.

  2. Rebecca Orth says

    August 22, 2022 at 10:12 pm

    Would this work in a 9 x 13 cake pan?

  3. raisingdaisy says

    May 21, 2022 at 7:05 am

    Absolutely outstanding recipe! I used coconut sugar for the sweetener and made the recipe as a cake instead of cupcakes. We don’t care for frosting in general so we left it unfrosted and added chocolate chips – it was amazing! Delicious even without frosting, great vanilla taste. Definitely our new go-to cake.

  4. Stacy H says

    October 28, 2021 at 8:24 pm

    Amazing, easy and so delicious. Going to play around with lemon zest and such.

  5. Good For You Gluten Free says

    May 30, 2021 at 9:56 am

    Yes 👍

  6. Stacy says

    May 30, 2021 at 6:41 am

    Would almond milk or an alternative work in lieu of cows milk?

  7. Good For You Gluten Free says

    May 17, 2021 at 5:26 pm

    I haven’t tried but if you do let me know

  8. Leshah says

    May 17, 2021 at 5:19 pm

    Can you use egg replacer?

  9. jsallette says

    April 29, 2021 at 12:47 pm

    sounds yummy… i will put this on my list… just w/o buttercream, frosting. thanks for sharing…

Leave a CommentCancel reply

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Hi, I'm Jenny Levine Finke and am passionate about the gluten-free lifestyle. I'm a certified integrative nutrition coach and self-taught expert on [most] gluten-free things. I have celiac disease and know the struggles you're going through first-hand. This is why I've dedicated this blog to serving the celiac and gluten sensitive communities with important information, product and restaurant reviews, and simple recipes I hope you'll love. Read More…

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