Cupcake sprinkles, also known as jimmies, are a popular topping for cupcakes and other baked goods. With the rise in gluten free diets, many people wonder if sprinkles contain gluten. The short answer is that traditional cupcake sprinkles are gluten free, but there are some exceptions. Keep reading to learn more about cupcake sprinkle ingredients and gluten free options.
What Are Cupcake Sprinkles Made Of?
Cupcake sprinkles are made from a simple list of ingredients including sugar, cornstarch, food coloring, and confectioners glaze. These basic ingredients make jimmies naturally gluten free. Here’s a breakdown of each component:
- Sugar – Sprinkles get their sweetness from regular granulated sugar which does not contain gluten.
- Cornstarch – This pantry staple thickens the jimmies mixture and lets them hold their shape. Cornstarch is naturally gluten free.
- Food Coloring – Vibrant dyes like Red 40 or Blue 1 provide sprinkles with bright, fun colors. Food colorings do not contain gluten.
- Confectioners Glaze – This food-grade glaze give sprinkles their glossy sheen. It is made from food-grade shellac which does not contain gluten.
In addition to these basic ingredients, some sprinkle recipes include extras like citric acid or confectioners sugar to add flavor and texture. These additional ingredients are also gluten-free.
Are All Cupcake Sprinkles Gluten Free?
While traditional cupcake jimmies are gluten free, there are some sprinkle varieties that do contain gluten:
- Sanding Sugars – The large crystal sanding sugars used to decorate cookies and cupcakes are not always gluten free. Some brands contain barley malt powder which includes gluten.
- Cookie and Cake Decorations – Pre-made decorations like flowers, letters, and shapes may be made with wheat flour. Check the label to be sure.
- Holiday Sprinkles – Seasonal jimmies shaped like Christmas trees or candy canes may contain gluten. Barley malt is sometimes added for flavor.
Always check the label on decorative sugars and cake decorations to see if they are labeled “gluten free.” Do not assume products are gluten free based on the name alone.
Cross-Contamination Risks
Even if the sprinkles themselves are gluten-free, there is still a chance of cross-contamination during manufacturing. Sprinkles made on shared equipment may pick up traces of gluten from other products.
Companies make every effort to thoroughly clean equipment between production runs, but microscopic amounts of gluten can still get transferred. Brands producing gluten free sprinkles on dedicated equipment have the lowest risk.
If you have celiac disease or a wheat allergy, consider choosing sprinkles made by a gluten free company to limit cross-contamination concerns. You can also contact manufacturers directly to ask about their protocols for avoiding cross-contact.
Popular Gluten Free Sprinkle Brands
Here are some of the top brands for gluten free sprinkles and decorations:
- Sweetapolita – This gluten free bakery makes sprinkles in fun shapes like hearts, flowers, and butterflies. Their products are produced in a dedicated facility.
- Cake Mate – This leading sprinkle brand labels which products are gluten free right on the packaging. Look for the blue “gluten free” callout.
- Wilton – Many of Wilton’s baking sprinkles are labeled gluten free. Check their website for the most up-to-date product info.
- Sweets Indeed – This company focuses on allergy-friendly decorations including gluten free sprinkles in creative options like galaxy, mermaid, and unicorn.
- Color Garden – This brand offers sanding sugars labeled gluten free for decorating baked goods.
Check with your local bakery supply store to see if they carry reputable brands of gluten free sprinkles. You can also order many options online.
Making Your Own Gluten Free Sprinkles
If you want 100% control over ingredients, it’s easy to whip up homemade gluten free sprinkles. Here is a simple recipe to try:
Gluten Free Homemade Sprinkles
Ingredients:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2-3 drops food coloring
- 1 to 2 teaspoons water
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, cornstarch, and salt.
- Stir in food coloring until well combined.
- Add water 1 teaspoon at a time until a thick glaze forms.
- Pour glaze onto a parchment lined baking sheet in a thin layer.
- Let harden completely, about 1 hour.
- Break into pieces and store in an airtight container.
You can substitute corn syrup for the water if you want an extra glossy finish. Make multiples batches in different colors and mix together for rainbow sprinkles. Have fun customizing with your favorite gluten free dyes!
Are Sprinkles Safe to Eat Raw?
Since sprinkles are meant to decorate baked goods rather than be eaten plain, you may wonder if they are actually edible. Here is what you need to know about the safety of eating sprinkles raw by the handful:
- Sprinkles made of simple ingredients like sugar, cornstarch, and natural colors are generally safe to eat raw.
- Avoid eating raw sprinkles with artificial dyes like Red 40 or Yellow 5 since large amounts may cause adverse effects.
- The shellac glaze used is food-grade and okay to consume, but some may find it waxy or unpleasant in texture.
- Choking hazard – Eating a bunch of small, hard sprinkles poses a choking risk, especially for small children.
While most sprinkles are not toxic, they are best enjoyed as a topping and not eaten excessively on their own. Use common sense – a few raw sprinkles to taste is fine but avoid eating them by the handful, especially for kids under 3.
Nutritional Value of Sprinkles
Sprinkles are essentially pure sugar with little nutritional value. Here are some facts about what’s inside those tiny decorations:
- Almost 100% carbohydrates from sugar
- Virtually no protein, amino acids, vitamins or minerals
- Lack beneficial fiber and phytonutrients found naturally in whole foods
- High calorie density – around 400 calories per 100 grams
While sprinkles won’t provide much in the way of nutrition, the joy they bring to baked goods and the smiles on kids’ faces make them a fun part of celebrations and special treats. Enjoy them in moderation along with a balanced diet rich in whole foods.
Fun Facts About Sprinkles
Sprinkles have a long history and some surprising facts behind them. Here are a few fun tidbits about these popular decorations:
- The first decorative sugary sprinkles were created in the late 18th century in Germany for decorating Christmas cookies.
- One of the earliest recipes for sprinkles using a cornstarch base instead of flour appeared in Mrs. Lincoln’s Boston Cook Book in 1884.
- The familiar long sprinkle shape was invented by Boston baker Joseph Donovan in the 1920s. The jimmies name came from a Jimmy in his kitchen.
- National Sprinkles Day falls on April 23rd each year in the United States.
- Sprinkles ranked as the number one ice cream topping in a 2019 US survey, beating out popular options like fudge, caramel, and chocolate chips.
- The world’s largest cupcake featuring a massive dollop of sprinkles weighed over 1,200 pounds and was baked in Las Vegas in 2010.
While we may take sprinkles for granted today, these colorful toppings have a long, storied past and remain a beloved way to decorate desserts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about the gluten content of cupcake sprinkles:
Are jimmies gluten free?
Yes, traditional jimmies made with sugar, cornstarch, and food coloring are naturally gluten free. Always double check labels though, as some seasonal jimmies may contain gluten.
Can celiacs eat sprinkles?
Most standard sprinkles are safe for celiacs as long as they are labeled gluten free. Sprinkles made in dedicated facilities have the lowest risk. Speak to your doctor if concerned.
Do gluten free bakeries use gluten free sprinkles?
Reputable gluten free bakeries will always use gluten free sprinkles and decorations to avoid contaminating their products. You can ask to be sure.
Are sanding sugars gluten free?
Some brands of sanding sugar do contain gluten while others are gluten free. Check labels for containing ingredients like wheat flour or barley malt.
Can you eat rainbow sprinkles on a gluten free diet?
As long as the sprinkles are labeled gluten free, rainbow sprinkles are safe to eat on a gluten free diet. Always opt for reputable brands to reduce cross-contamination risk.
The Bottom Line
Standard cupcake sprinkles made from sugar, cornstarch, confectioners glaze and food coloring are naturally gluten free. Specialty products like decorative shapes, sanding sugar and holiday sprinkles may contain gluten however. When in doubt, look for reputable brands marked “gluten free” on the label or contact the manufacturer directly. While sprinkles themselves don’t offer much nutritional value, they do offer lots of color and fun for decorating gluten free treats.
