These Gluten Free Vanilla Cupcakes are the cutest thing to ever hit your dessert table! Fluffy, from-scratch vanilla cupcakes topped with a dreamy dairy-free buttercream and finished with Goodie Girl Magical Animal Crackers — because every cupcake deserves a little magic on top. These are perfect for birthday parties, after-school treats, or any day that could use a little more fun!

Ingredients:

Cupcakes:

• 1½ cups gluten-free all-purpose flour blend
• 1½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup dairy-free butter, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• ½ cup unsweetened almond milk (or oat milk)

Dairy-Free Vanilla Buttercream:

• 1 cup dairy-free butter, softened
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 2–3 tbsp almond milk or oat milk
• Gel food coloring (optional)

Toppers:

• 1 box Goodie Girl Magical Animal Crackers
• Rainbow sprinkles

Instructions:

For the Cupcakes:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together gluten-free flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, beat dairy-free butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
5. Alternate adding the flour mixture and almond milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
6. Divide batter evenly among cupcake liners, filling each about ⅔ full.
7. Bake for 18–20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
8. Let cool completely before frosting.

For the Dairy-Free Buttercream:

1. Beat dairy-free butter until smooth and creamy.
2. Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing on low.
3. Add vanilla extract and almond milk, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
4. Divide frosting into separate bowls and add gel food coloring to make rainbow colors if desired!
5. Pipe frosting onto cooled cupcakes.
6. Top each cupcake with a Goodie Girl Magical Animal Cracker and a sprinkle of rainbow sprinkles. Enjoy!