Gluten-Free Birthday Cakes: 20 Recipes & Cool Tips

Just because someone is gluten-free does not mean their birthday cakes can’t be exceptional! This delicious collection of Gluten-Free Birthday Cakes (20 Recipes and Cool Tips) will definitely are you with great recipes and ideas to make all gluten-free birthday celebrations extraordinary!

It’s birthday season in our household which means I need to gear up to bake gluten-free birthday cakes galore! Most gluten-eaters do not realize the luxury of ordering a birthday cake from a local bakeshop or grocery store. For some who are gluten-free, there are local bakeries offering gluten-free options (though often very expensive) but usually cakes need to be baked at home. This collection of gluten-free birthday cakes will ensure any homemade GF cakes are extraordinary!

My family has been gluten-free for almost 9 years. My son was 2 when we found out we needed to remove gluten from our diets and my daughter was just starting first grade. There was no way I was going to sacrifice the whimsy of whatever they fancied for their celebrations, and though not a cake decorator by experience I learned quickly and did not skip a beat.

We’ve traversed many types of cakes over the years. Mainstream layer cakes, made both from scratch and from gluten-free mixes. Eccentric, whimsical cakes such as an authentically smoking Volcano Cake using dry ice. Cakes made special by elaborate decorating touches such as my daughter’s Rose Cake from last year. Rose-flavored filled cupcakes. Owl cupcakes for school birthday treats. Requests for cakes that have struck fear in my heart such as last year’s request for a Lumpy Space Princess cake from the TV show Adventure Time. Mickey Mouse, Elmo, Disney Princesses have all been in the mix as well. Just because we cannot eat gluten does not mean we need to compromise on our birthday cakes!

PRO TIPs for Gluten-Free Birthday Cakes

Along the way I’ve picked up some great recipes as well as some tips that make it all a bit easier:

Fun Cake Pans Make the Most Simple of Cakes Special. For kids, Wilton makes fantastic character cake pans complete with instructions on how to decorate them. One year we had Bowling Alley parties and I found a cake pan with bowling pins that I was able to decorate using a simple star cake tip and purchased gluten-free frosting. It looked professional, the kids loved it (the gluten-eaters as well). Their pans may be purchased new online, as well at craft or baking supply stores. I’ve also found them on eBay when scouring for a particular character or theme, and thrift stores, where they are very affordable. Additionally Nordicware has wonderful themed pans which are sturdy and non-stick; beehives, hungry animals, castles, trains and many more.

It Doesn’t Have to Be From Scratch. Even Betty Crocker has gluten-free mixes now. There are times when pulling all the party details together that baking from scratch just isn’t possible. Use a trustworthy mix and don’t think twice about it.

The Internet is your Best Friend. I firmly believe any gluten-free recipe, decorating technique, decorating accents and supplies can be found on the internet. Fortunately with gluten-free awareness being so at the forefront of the food industry, it’s very easy to find out if the sprinkles you love or other edibles are ‘safe’. Quality mixes can be purchased from online from stores like Amazon.com where they are often less expensive and save you time running around looking for what you want and need.

Though my husband is not gluten-free he gets a gluten-free cake as well so we can all eat it. A favorite has been these versions of flourless Chocolate Decadence cakes from David Lebovitz. They are amazingly simple making me question why I spend $$$ buying them at the store. Well I don’t any longer, I make them myself.

Chocolate Idiot Cake {David Lebovitz} thusly named from his belief even an idiot couldn’t mess up this cake….

Chocolate Orbit Cake {David Lebovitz courtesy Scharffenberger}  

We love a layer cake, don’t we? There is something quintessentially ‘birthday’ in a layer cake and here are some wonderful options for kids and adults alike:

Happy Day Cake with Strawberry Whipped Cream Frosting

The Best Hummingbird Cake (the most popular recipe on BoulderLocavore.com!) 

Italian Cream Cake

Sour Cream Cherry Cake 

Gluten-Free Strawberry Vanilla Layer Cake {MarlaMeridith.com}      

Gluten-Free Birthday Cake {Lifetime Moms} 

Sometimes, especially for kids, a little bit of whimsy and the unexpected is called for. Here are some ideas on that front:

Gluten-Free Flower Cake (and an Adventure Time Cake)  

Smokin’ Volcano Cake 

Bug Cakelets 

Tres Leches Cake

Pinata Cake {this cake was originally made for Halloween but the same approach can be used for other three dimensional pans}

Lastly, cupcakes. Not everyone wants a full birthday cake, or maybe cupcakes would be easier for a party or school treats:

Gluten-Free Owl Cupcakes

Drunken Sailor Rum Cupcakes with Pineapple Frosting {best for adults due to the rum in the cupcakes}

Rose Filled Cupcakes 

Chocolate Sundae Cupcakes {Gluten Free Canteen}

Gluten free Shirley Temple Cupcakes {Simply Gluten-Free} 

Ice Cream Sandwich Chocolate Wafer Cookies  {Gluten-Free on a Shoestring}

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Udi’s Gluten Free. The opinions and text are all mine.