Top 52+ beautiful gluten free cakes

A gluten-free diet doesn’t mean that you have to miss out on your favourite cakes. We’ve pulled together a selection of our most beautiful gluten free cakes, from creamy cheesecakes to decadent chocolate cakes and a flourless orange and white chocolate cake. There’s even classics like lamingtons – all free from gluten.

Plus, we share our Test Kitchen tips for gluten free baking success.

Test Kitchen tips for baking gluten free cakes

Which flour is best for gluten free cakes?

Gluten free flour is available from most major supermarkets in Australia, including both plain and self-raising varieties.

Gluten-free plain (all-purpose): A blend of gluten-free flours and starches (may include corn, potato, tapioca, chickpea and rice).

Gluten-free self-raising: Made similarly to gluten-free plain flour, but with the addition of gluten-free bicarbonate of soda (baking soda).

When a recipe is specifically designed to be gluten-free, follow the recipe and ingredient lists to get the best results. You can adapt a recipe that uses wheat flour by substituting it with gluten-free flour. The results may vary depending on how much flour is needed. In most cases, you’ll get the best results if the recipe only requires a small amount of flour.

What is xanthan gum?

Another useful ingredient for the gluten-free baker is xanthan gum. Xanthan gum is a thickening agent produced by fermentation of, usually, corn sugar. It’s used as a thickener, emulsifier and stabiliser to compensate for what gluten would ordinarily do – provide structure and hold ingredients together.

It can be quite a science making a gluten-free flour blend that mimics ordinary flour. For this reason a lot of recipes call for commercial gluten-free plain or self-raising flour, which are designed to be used 1:1 for regular flour.

More gluten free flour options

Some gluten free cake recipes also use almond meal, hazelnut meal or other alternatives to flour that are naturally gluten-free. Ground nuts in all forms add a rich buttery taste to cakes and pastries.

Millet, buckwheat (not related to wheat), quinoa, lupin, besan (chickpea flour), sorghum, teff and amaranth are all nutritious options with defined earthy tastes.

Less nutritious, but neutral-tasting flours are corn (maize), arrowroot, tapioca, potato and rice flour.

All these flours can be used in various ways but they do not behave in the exact same way as ordinary flour. This is why flours are often mixed with one another to create the perfect balance in recipes.

How long will gluten free cakes last?

Gluten-free items will go stale faster, so freezing, if specified in the recipe, is a good option. Cool cakes completely before storing in an airtight container or they will soften in the container. Fill biscuits and cakes on the day of serving. Refrigerate cakes and tarts that have dairy-based fillings.

Can coeliacs eat cakes?

There are plenty of gluten free cake recipes that are coeliac-friendly. This includes the recipes we’ve put together here.

When making a cake for someone who has coeliac disease, make sure there is as little risk of cross-contamination with gluten as possible. For example, if you’re using butter in a recipe, it’s ideal to get a new container. That ensures there is no trace amounts of gluten that may be present on butter in your fridge that’s been spread on wheat toast (or anything else).

Are oats gluten free?

While it is possible to purchase gluten-free oats, the current advice from Coeliac Australia is to avoid all oats and oat products unless under the supervision and testing of a medical practitioner. Oats are problematic because of potential cross-contamination and they contain a protein similar to wheat which can cause reactions.

What is gluten?

Gluten is a protein found in certain grains, principally wheat. However, it is also present in ancient wheat varieties too, including spelt and other grains such as rye and barley.

Gluten avoidance goes beyond simply avoiding grains. Care must also be taken to ensure gluten derivatives aren’t present in seemingly innocuous foods, therefore it’s essential to read all labels very carefully.

You’ll need these…

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Springform Cake Tin (David Jones)

Mondo 20cm Cake Pan (Kitchen Warehouse)

Ecology gateaux cake stand 15cm in yellow/orange (David Jones)

KitchenAid Artisan stand mixer (KitchenAid)

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Gluten free cake recipes

Mixed berry coconut layer cake

Mandarin, polenta and macadamia cake

Gluten-free mandarin, polenta and macadamia cake

Light, fluffy and moist, this divine mandarin, polenta and macadamia cake is packed full of flavour and is beautiful served sliced as morning or afternoon tea.

Gluten free Persian love cake

Julie Goodwin's gluten free banana cake

Julie Goodwin’s gluten free banana cake

A sweet slab cake baked with dates and caramelised bananas.

gluten-free chocolate hazelnut cake

Gluten-free chocolate hazelnut cake

There’s nothing abstemious about this gluten-free chocolate cake recipe, especially not with the luscious chocolate frosting all over it.

gluten-free chocolate cake

Gluten-free chocolate cake

Gluten-free cakes are too often dry and disappointing, the mashed banana and jam helps make this gluten-free chocolate cake a rich, dense triumph.

gluten-free Christmas fruit cake

Gluten-free cheesecake with raspberries on a cake plate

watermelon cake

Watermelon cake

This impressive watermelon cake is a fun addition to kids’ parties and a healthy alternative to a classic cake.

Gluten-free Christmas cakes

gluten free Christmas cake with a star decoration on top

Gluten-free strawberries and cream layer cake

Little chocolate hazelnut cakes with ganache on a rectangular white plate

Little gluten free chocolate cakes

These delish, not-too dense, gluten-free chocolate cakes are based on hazelnut meal and lightened with egg white.

Gluten-free raspberry and lemon syrup cake

baked apple slices arranged into a cake shape

Pure apple cake with golden syrup custard

Made from little more than apples and a touch of spice, the long slow-cooking concentrates the apple taste.

Flourless orange & white chocolate cake

Flourless orange & white chocolate cake

Moist, dense and sweet – what more could you want in a cake?

Blueberry cupcakes

Cauliflower and passionfruit ice-cream cake

Chocolate cake with sour cherry ganache

Chocolate cake with sour cherry ganache

Dense and rich chocolate cake with a gorgeously contrasting sour cherry glaze.

Gluten-free carrot cake with orange frosting

Gluten-free banana bread recipe by the Women's Weekly

Cardamom and lemon cake with vanilla labne and lemon syrup

Cardamom and lemon cake with vanilla labne and lemon syrup

Lemon cake with a fragrant twist

Gluten-free whole orange cake

Gluten-free orange cake with labne

Gluten-free red velvet mud cake

Gluten-free mixed berry and vanilla sponge layer cake

Lemon and zucchini polenta cake

Lemon and zucchini polenta cake

A nonna’s favourite made healthier with the addition of zucchini – and it’s gluten-free to boot!

gluten free chocolate cake recipe

Flourless chocolate cakes with avocado icing

Dark and dreamy chocolate cake

Dark and dreamy chocolate cake

This cake is unapologetically all about chocolate. So much so, that it’s even flourless, creating a fudgy, dense indulgent cake – you’ll find a little goes a long way.

Flourless cakes - a gluten-free baked cheesecake with raspberries

Gluten-free New York cheesecake

New York cheesecake is known for its creamy, satiny texture. It’s rich, dense and tall with a flat top – and this one is gluten-free for everyone to enjoy.

ricotta, blueberry and polenta cake

Ricotta, polenta and blueberry cake

A gorgeous golden cake made with polenta, ricotta and dark blueberries running though it.

Gluten-free lamingtons

Gluten-free lamingtons

Not your average lamingtons, these gluten-free favourites use berry jam on the outside instead of chocolate icing.

chocolate roulade

Flourless chocolate roulade

It’s so light, so lovely – with a coffee-cream filling – this delicious dessert cake will just melt in the mouth. Best of all, it’s gluten free so everyone can enjoy it.

FLOURLESSCHOCOLATE, PRUNE & HAZELNUTCAKE

Flourless chocolate, prune & hazelnut cake

Served with hazelnut whipped cream, this chocolate, prune and hazelnut cake is dense, decadent and gluten-free.

Polenta and ricotta cake with rosemary lemon syrup

Polenta and ricotta cake with rosemary lemon syrup

Looking for a cake with wow factor? Soaked in deliciously sweet lemon and rosemary syrup and served with whipped ricotta, this polenta cake is sure to impress.

Flourless almond, peach and orange blossom loaves

Flourless almond, peach and orange blossom loaves

These tasty little loaves are the perfect accompaniment with a cup of tea on a lazy afternoon.

Gluten free rosewater chocolate cake recipe

Gluten free rosewater chocolate cake

This gluten free chocolate cake recipe uses hazelnut meal in place of flour, with a touch of deliciously fragrant rosewater.

raw choc-peanut cake

Raw choc-peanut cake

You’ll need to start this gorgeous dessert from The Australian Women’s Weekly’s ‘Vegan Kitchen‘ cookbook the day before you intend to serve it but the extra time it takes is well worth the wait!

Lemontons

Lemontons

We have created a lemon twist on a classic favourite – the Lamington. We’ve even made this recipe gluten-free, and nut-free, so everyone can enjoy!

Spiced apple cupcakes

Spiced apple cupcakes

Yummy, delicious gluten-free and dairy-free spiced apple cupcakes perfect for the kids lunchbox and for you with a cup of tea, morning or afternoon.

Earl grey and chocolate cheesecake

Earl grey and chocolate cheesecake

This vegan cheesecake contains no actual cheese, instead it is based on nuts, which provides a wonderful, natural richness and flavour. The combination of fragrant earl grey tea and chocolate is utterly irresistible.

Orange buttermilk syrup cake

Orange buttermilk syrup cake

We’ve also tested this recipe with a reduced-fat dairy spread which works well. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can combine 2 teaspoons lemon juice with ½ cup (125ml) reduced-fat milk. Note

Sicilian almond, apple and ricotta cake with pecans

Sicilian almond, apple and ricotta cake with pecans

With classic Mediterranean flavours this ricotta cake is hearty and wholesome; just crunch through that delicious tap layer of pecans to enjoy.

Flourless Hazelnut Chocolate Cake

Flourless hazelnut chocolate cake

Serve this versatile fudge-like chocolate cake as a dessert with ice-cream, for morning or afternoon tea, or freeze in slices to pop into a work or school lunchbox.

Gluten-free blueberry cake

Gluten-free blueberry cake

Light and fluffy, this beautiful orange spiced cake is stuffed with juicy blueberries and topped with a sweet icing to create this wonderful gluten-free dessert.

Gluten-free glace fruit cakes

Gluten-free glace fruit cakes

Just because you don’t eat gluten doesn’t mean you have to miss out on Christmas treats – try this delicious glace fruit cake.

gluten-free orange syrup cake

Gluten-free orange syrup cake

Enjoy it on its own or with a little whipped cream.

flourless fig, pecan and maple cake

Flourless fig, pecan and maple cake

Rich, moist and just sweet enough, this cake is great for any occasion.

Upside-down mandarin polenta YOGHURT CAKE

Upside-down mandarin polenta yoghurt cake

This delicious and impressive looking mandarin upside-down cake is a little tricky to make but is oh so worth it. Better still it is gluten-free so everyone can enjoy it. Use a microplane to zest the fruit for best results.

CHOCOLATE ORANGE mousse cake

Chocolate orange mousse cake

With a texture this silky and a flavour this heavenly, you’ll not be able to resist a second helping of this decadent chocolate orange mousse cake. It really is that good.

Plum and lemon POLENTA CAKE

Plum and lemon polenta cake

Bring a bit of Italy into your home with this gorgeous take on a traditional cake.

How to make gluten free cupcakes

If you want to make cupcakes instead of a whole cake, follow this recipe for gluten-free cupcakes with berries. For gluten-free muffins, try our ginger, carrot and apple muffins or quinoa, fig and maple muffins.

Savoury gluten free recipes

If you’re looking to build a gluten-free menu, see our gluten-free recipes for dinner. Also, you may like to check out our gluten-free Christmas recipes.

More gluten-free recipes

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Gluten-free chocolate and almond biscuits

Gluten-free chocolate peanut caramel slice

Deep dish gluten-free apple pie with almond crust, served with vanilla ice-cream

Gluten-free hedgehog slice

Gluten-free peanut butter pudding

Gluten free shortcrust pastry

Gluten-free bread

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