Gluten Free Chocolate Cupcakes Recipe

An easy gluten free cupcake recipe that even the kids will enjoy.

Ingredients

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups all-purpose gluten free flour mix
1/2 tsp xanthan gum
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
3/4 cup warm water
3/4 cup buttermilk
3 tablespoons canola oil
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Chocolate Hazelnut Frosting
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups powdered icing sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 tbsp almond hazelnut butter (if you do have this, just skip entirely - it will not affect the texture, just the flavor a wee bit)
4 ounces dark chocolate, melted and cooled slightly
1 tablespoon milk
Topping:

12 whole hazelnuts to top
1 cup crushed hazelnuts

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Line a muffin tin with paper liners.

In a large bowl, combine cocoa powder, flour, xanthan gum, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add eggs, warm water, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla to dry ingredients. Mix until batter is smooth and fill prepared baking cups 2/3 full. Bake around 20 minutes, until tops spring back when touched.

Frosting: In a large bowl, beat butter, almond butter and powdered sugar for a minute until well combined. Add vanilla and mix until combined. Add the melted (and cooled) chocolate and beat on medium speed until frosting smooth. Finally, and beat until well combined.

Pipe onto cooled cupcakes.

Crush hazelnuts onto a flat plate, and roll the rims of the cupcakes in the crushed nuts.

Finish by placing a hazelnut in the middle of each cupcake.