Gluten free cake mixes are pre-made dry mixes that contain the ingredients needed to make a cake, excluding any ingredients that contain gluten. Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley and rye, so gluten free cake mixes avoid using flours made from these grains. Instead, they use flours made from gluten free grains, starches and nut flours. Using a gluten free cake mix allows people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities to enjoy cake without getting sick from eating gluten.
Why use gluten free cake mixes?
There are several reasons why someone may choose to use a gluten free cake mix rather than a regular cake mix or baking a cake from scratch:
- It’s convenient – Just add wet ingredients like eggs, oil and water.
- Consistency – They provide reliable results, which can be harder with gluten free baking.
- Avoid cross-contamination – No need to worry about gluten from wheat flour.
- Variety of flavors – Fun flavors like chocolate, vanilla, carrot, red velvet etc.
- Specialty diet – It’s gluten free for those who need that.
- Time saving – Saves time compared to baking totally from scratch.
Gluten free baking can be trickier than regular baking, so using a mix makes it easier and more foolproof. The mixes let you skip potential issues like gritty, dry or crumbly textures. They also ensure the flavors, textures and results are consistently good. For those managing celiac disease or gluten intolerance, cake mixes provide a safer option too.
What ingredients are commonly found in gluten free cake mixes?
While ingredients vary by brand and flavor, most gluten free cake mixes contain a combination of the following gluten free flours, starches and leaveners:
- Gluten free flours – Rice flour, almond flour, coconut flour, sorghum flour
- Starches – Potato starch, tapioca starch, corn starch
- Leaveners – Baking powder, baking soda
- Sugar
- Dairy powders – Nonfat dry milk, whey powder
- Emulsifiers – Mono & diglycerides, xanthan or guar gum
- Salt
- Natural and artificial flavors & colors
These ingredients come pre-mixed in the dry cake mix. To make the cake, wet ingredients like eggs, oil and water are added per the instructions on the box.
Rice flour and tapioca starch are commonly used as the main flour sources. Starches help lighten the texture. Protein sources like milk powder, almond flour or egg whites contribute to structure. Emulsifiers and gums help mimic the binding and moisture retention properties lost with gluten. Leavening agents give lift for a fluffy crumb. Sugar and other ingredients provide sweetness and moisture.
Are there health benefits to gluten free cake mixes?
For those with celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity or a wheat allergy, gluten free cake mixes provide the ability to safely enjoy cake without illness or allergic reactions caused by gluten exposure. This is the main health benefit.
However, for people without these conditions, there are fewer health advantages to using gluten free cake mixes. While many people perceive gluten free products as generally healthier, that’s not necessarily the case. Here are some considerations:
- Gluten free is not inherently lower in calories, sugar, fat or carbs.
- They often contain rice flour, which is higher on the glycemic index.
- Gluten free substitutes like starches may be less nutritious than whole grains.
- Gluten itself does not cause negative health effects in people without gluten-related disorders.
That said, some gluten free mixes include ingredients like almond flour, coconut flour or flaxseed meal, which provide additional nutrition compared to plain wheat flour. But in general, gluten free cake mixes are not necessarily healthier than regular cake mixes.
What are the most popular brands of gluten free cake mixes?
Some of the most popular national brands of gluten free cake mixes include:
- Betty Crocker Gluten Free
- Pillsbury Gluten Free
- King Arthur Baking Gluten Free
- Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free
- Duncan Hines Gluten Free
- Pamela’s Products Gluten Free
- Namaste Foods Gluten Free
- Glutino Gluten Free
Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, King Arthur and Bob’s Red Mill all offer a variety of gluten free cake flavors and fudge frostings. Popular flavors include vanilla, chocolate, yellow cake and spice cake varieties.
Smaller brands like Pamela’s Products, Namaste Foods and Glutino offer gluten free baking mixes too. Local natural food chains such as Whole Foods or Sprouts may also sell their own store brands.
What types of cakes can you make with gluten free cake mixes?
The possibilities are endless! Here are some of the many cake types and flavors that can be made with gluten free cake mixes:
- Sheet cakes
- Layer cakes
- Bundt cakes
- Cupcakes
- Pound cakes
- Upside down cakes
- Poke cakes
- Cheesecakes
- Mug cakes
- Chocolate cake
- Vanilla cake
- Yellow cake
- Funfetti cake
- Spice cake
- Carrot cake
- Red velvet cake
- Confetti cake
- Marble cake
- Angel food cake
Nearly any cake recipe that is normally made with wheat flour can be adapted to use a gluten free cake mix instead. The mixes provide a shortcut to making moist and delicious gluten free cakes in all sorts of shapes like sheets, layers, loafs or bundts.
The cake mix makes the base, then you can decorate your cake with frosting, ganache, fresh fruit, nuts, chocolate, peanut butter and anything else you can imagine. The cake mix handles the tricky flour substitutions so you can focus on being creative with flavors, fillings and toppings.
What ingredients do you need in addition to a gluten free cake mix?
Gluten free cake mixes are designed to be simple to prepare. Here is an overview of the additional ingredients you’ll need besides the cake mix itself:
- Liquid – Typically oil, butter and/or water.
- Eggs – Most recipes use eggs to provide structure and richness.
- Egg replacer – For vegan recipes without eggs.
- Milk – Some recipes call for milk instead of water.
- Flavorings – Vanilla, cinnamon, etc to match cake flavor.
- Fruit – Fresh berries, apples, etc if making a fruit-flavored cake.
- Nuts – Pecans, walnuts, etc for texture.
- Chocolate chips – For chocolate cake or cupcakes.
- Food coloring – To tint batter if needed.
Always read the instructions on your specific cake mix, as ingredients can vary. But in general, you’ll need to have eggs, oil or butter, liquid and possibly mix-ins like fruit or nuts on hand. The cake mix provides the dry ingredients pre-measured and mixed.
What tools do you need to make gluten free cake mixes?
You likely already have most of the tools needed to make cakes from gluten free mixes on hand in your kitchen, such as:
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer or wire whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spatula
- Cake pans
- Parchment paper or pan spray
- Toothpicks to test doneness
- Cooling racks
- Frosting tools and decorating supplies
- Electric griddle or skillet (for pancake mixes)
You’ll need bowl and utensils for mixing, as well as cake pans for baking. Square, round or rectangular work well. Grease pans with butter or line with parchment paper so cakes release easily after baking. A cooling rack helps cakes cool evenly after baking.
Have frosting, sprinkles or other decorations ready when the cake has cooled. Get creative with decorating! An electric mixer makes mixing easier, but you can use a whisk and some elbow grease too.
How do you prepare and bake cakes from gluten free mixes?
Making cakes with gluten free mixes is a simple process:
- Preheat oven to temperature listed on the box.
- Grease cake pans and dust with cocoa powder or flour if needed.
- Add wet ingredients like oil, eggs, milk to mixing bowl.
- Add gluten free cake mix and any other dry mix-ins.
- Mix with electric mixer or whisk just until batter is smooth.
- Pour or spoon batter into prepared pans.
- If making a layer cake, divide batter evenly between 2 or 3 pans.
- Bake for time listed on box, testing doneness with a toothpick.
- Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then remove onto cooling racks.
- Frost and decorate once cake layers have cooled completely.
Always read the instructions, as baking times and temperatures may vary. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow layers or cakes to cool completely before stacking or frosting.
Gluten free cakes are best enjoyed fresh and stored well wrapped at room temperature for 3-4 days. They can also be frozen.
What tips help ensure success with gluten free cake mixes?
Here are some handy tips for getting the best results when baking with gluten free cake mixes:
- Don’t overmix – Gentle mixing preserves texture.
- Check for doneness early – Gluten free cakes bake more quickly.
- Add gums – For added moisture, stir in xanthan gum or guar gum.
- Handle gently – Gluten free cakes are more delicate.
- Use parchment paper – Helps remove cakes neatly from pans.
- Cool completely – Allows layers to stack cleanly.
- Seal in freshness – Store cooled cakes sealed at room temp.
- Enjoy right away – Best flavor is within first 1-2 days.
- Mind the details – Measure accurately for best results.
Gluten free cakes have a more delicate crumb so gentle mixing helps. Allowing layers to cool completely before frosting prevents sliding. Follow label directions closely. Store finished cakes sealed at room temperature to retain moisture.
What are some common troubleshooting tips for gluten free cake mixes?
Here are some handy troubleshooting tips if your gluten free cakes don’t turn out how you expected:
- Dry, crumbly texture – Add eggs or oil to batter or use gums.
- Gummy or dense – Avoid overmixing, check for doneness early.
- Domed top – Use pan size recommended on box.
- Sunken center – Fill pans no more than 2/3 full.
- Uneven layers – Cool completely before frosting.
- Sticks in pan – Grease and flour pans well.
- Falls apart – Handle layers gently when removing from pan.
Gluten free cakes need a gentle touch. Follow package instructions closely and use proper pan sizes. Test doneness early as gluten free cakes bake faster. Allow layers to cool completely before handling. With some trial and error, you’ll get the perfect results!
What are some creative flavor ideas for gluten free cakes?
The flavor combinations you can create with gluten free cake mixes are endless! Here are just a few creative ideas to try:
- Lemon blueberry
- Caramel apple spice
- Coconut lime
- Chocolate hazelnut
- Banana split
- Black forest chocolate
- Funfetti
- Mint chocolate chip
- Piña colada
- Peaches n cream
- Chai spice
- Cookies n cream
- S’mores
- Mocha
- Tie dye swirl
Get creative with mix-in flavors and toppings! Fruits like lemons, apples, bananas, pineapple, peaches or berries add lots of flavor. Nuts like pecans, almonds or walnuts provide crunch. Creative combinations like piña colada, cookies n cream, s’mores or black forest are extra fun.
Frost cakes with complementary flavors like citrus, caramel, mocha or mint frostings. Drizzle with ganache or peanut butter. Roll edges in nuts or sprinkles. Decorate with fresh fruit slices. The options are limited only by your imagination – so get creative with your gluten free cakes!
Where can you find gluten free cake mixes?
Gluten free cake mixes are widely available at most major grocery chains and warehouse clubs, as well as natural food stores. Here are some places you can find them:
- Grocery stores – Bakery or specialty diet sections
- Natural food stores – Whole Foods, Sprouts, etc
- Big box stores – Walmart, Target, Costco
- Online – Amazon, grocery delivery
- Drug stores – CVS, Walgreens
- Craft stores – Michael’s, Joann’s
- Discount stores – Aldi, Lidl
Look in the baking aisle at your regular supermarket, usually in the gluten free section. Natural food chains like Whole Foods or Sprouts have large selections. Big box stores, discount stores and online retailers all commonly stock them as well.
You can find popular national brands as well as store brand options. Be sure to comparison shop, as prices can vary greatly between $3-$8 per box based on brand, flavor and retailer.
Conclusion
Gluten free cake mixes provide a shortcut to baking delicious gluten free cakes with a simple addition of wet ingredients like eggs, oil and milk. They allow you to skip the tricky gluten free flour blends, delivering reliable flavors and textures every time.
Look for gluten free mixes from brands like Betty Crocker, King Arthur, Bob’s Red Mill and more. Then get creative mixing in fruits, nuts, chocolates or other fun flavors. With some easy ingredients, basic kitchen tools and the gluten free cake mix shortcut, you’ll be whipping up fabulous homemade gluten free cakes in no time!
