These Vegan Gluten-Free Pumpkin Spice Latte Muffins or cupcakes with the Coconut Whipped Frosting, are also oil-free and grain-free! They are just 8 easy ingredients.
I’ve been cooking since I was a child. I have always loved to cook, but baking is my love. To this day, I stare at the oven while things are baking and just get giddy as a kid seeing the results and rise before my eyes. The smells that fill up my kitchen are such a wonderful, natural high to me. I have always been a natural traditional baker, but it was becoming a vegan, gluten-free, oil-free cook/baker that presented a whole new world.
I also love simplicity and am determined to prove that you don’t need a long list of ingredients to make a delicious meal, or a baked good. I recently tried a chocolate cake slice at Whole Foods, simply out of curiosity, because it had been so long since I had a “regular” (white flour/white sugar/oil) baked good. Well, not only was the list of ingredients 15+ easily, but it was bland as could be and dry. Even my daughter immediately exclaimed “Mommy, you make much better cakes at home!” If a 3 year old can pick up on that, I must be onto something, haha!
This is the season where lots of pumpkin spice latte recipes pop up all over the web. With people wanting healthier versions with less sugar than the Starbucks version, they can easily find one on the internet, and it be much cheaper.
I got an overwhelming positive response of these cupcakes when I showed a teaser photo on Instagram and Facebook…keep the comments coming, that’s the only way I know what you guys like!
I figured I didn’t need to add another PSL to my blog knowing there are plenty great ones already out there to choose from. So, instead I decided to create my own pumpkin spice latte….but in the form of a muffin!
Would you just look at that gorgeous, cloud-like fluffy icing?! I’m telling you, it is like heaven in your mouth…yet surprisingly so simple and healthier than almost any icing recipe out there. I wanted to follow the same style as the Pumpkin Spice Latte Drink with their whipped cream on top, so I created a very light whipped icing. It is a very subtle sweetness..only 1 tbsp of syrup!
They rise up beautifully, not deflated!
OTHER VEGAN MUFFIN RECIPES TO TRY:
- Best Vegan Blueberry Muffins
- Chocolate Chip Muffins
- Gluten-free Double Chocolate Muffins
- Whole Wheat Chocolate Muffins
- Bakery-Style Cinnamon Streusel Muffins
- Cranberry Orange Muffins
- Vegan Pumpkin Muffins
- Caramel Crusted Pumpkin Muffins
- Sweet Potato Cinnamon Muffins
- Cinnamon Coffee Chocolate Chip Muffins
- Chocolate Chip Cherry Muffins
- Vegan Chocolate Zucchini Muffins
Gluten-free Pumpkin Spice Latte Muffins
Ingredients
- 2 cups (224g) superfine blanched almond flour
- 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons (100g) potato starch
- 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 tablespoon ground espresso powder
- 1 tablespoon double acting baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
- 1/2 cup (120g) pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1/4 cup (60g) canned "lite" coconut milk (not the carton kind, shake can well)
- 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons (200g) pure maple syrup
Optional Whipped Icing
- 1 can full fat coconut milk chilled overnight at least (highly recommend Thai Kitchen brand)
- 1 tablespoon (20g) pure maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 tablespoon (8g) melted liquid coconut butter
Instructions
Preheat an oven to 350°F (177°C) and line a muffin pan with 10 liners. I use Reynold's Staybrite because they turn out perfect everytime and never stick!
- Add the almond flour, potato starch, pumpkin pie spice, espresso, baking powder and salt into a large bowl. Note: To accurately measure flours in gluten-free baking, a kitchen scale is highly recommended to ensure the best results. Otherwise, you will scoop out the flours using your cup, lightly pat the flours down (to make sure there are no holes/gaps in the cup) and then level off with your finger. This is also the way the flours are measured by grams on the packaging. Whisk all the dry ingredients really well until there are no lumps.
- Add the pumpkin, coconut milk and syrup and stir until very smooth. Now, smell the batter and tell me it doesn't smell just like a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte.
- Pour the batter into the prepared liners. Bake for about 25-30 minutes, until they are risen and golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean. Mine were perfect at 25 mins. Let them cool 30 minutes before eating, no exception, so they firm up and finish cooking. Let them cool an hour before frosting, if using.
- For the icing, you will have to chill the canned coconut milk in the fridge overnight or even a few days (if possible) before you plan on making it. The longer it's chilled and the thicker the cream is, the better. Alternatively, you can place the can in the freezer for a couple hours. Carefully open up the can and scoop out just the thickened white cream, just a 1/2 cup. Don't add any of the water. I got out a solid 1/2 cup. Add it to a bowl and whip it for about 5 minutes until lift and fluffy and soft peaks form on your beaters. Add the syrup and vanilla and beat again for a minute. Lastly, add the liquid coconut butter and whip just a few seconds until it is mixed and fluffy. Add the icing to a ziplock bag, cut off the corner and pipe it on the cupcakes. This makes just enough to lightly ice all 8 cupcakes. If you like a lot of icing, then double the recipe. Store in the fridge.
Recipe Notes
For a lower fat muffin (not grain-free): All ingredients above remain and are the same except what is noted below: (Please note this is not as light as my preferred recipe above and is more dense like a muffin)
1. Use 1 1/4 cups almond flour instead of 2 cups 2. Add 1/2 cup sorghum flour to the dry ingredients (I don't recommend other flour subs)
3. Use 3/4 cup lite coconut milk
4. Use 3/4 cup pumpkin
Also, this version you will divide the batter among 9 liners instead of 8, as the batter is slightly larger.
The nutrition per muffin for this version is: 190.6 calories, 9 g fat, 25.5 carbs, 4.3 g protein, 15.9 g sugar
Nutrition per tablespoon of icing: 30 calories, 2.45 g fat, 1.9 carbs, .275 g protein, 1.4 g sugar
Eating one right now (minus the frosting) and it is the best thing ever!!!!
Always lean towards your blog for GF, vegan recipes that are spot on flavor and texture-wise.
Thanks Brandi – and keep rolling with your recipes. I love, love, love them : )
Oh wow, that’s the fastest anybody has ever made a recipe after posting it before, haha! You are awesome! Thank you so much and I’m so glad you love them as much as we all did! You are so sweet, thanks so much for the follow and support Amie! xo
These look like THE perfect treat for alongside my afternoon tea! Just sayin’ – I’d be totally happy with the icing alone!
Thank you Annie! I know, right?! The icing is sooooooo good. It is fluffy and incredibly light and creamy!
These remind me of a favorite spice cake from my childhood that Mom would make for us. Optional Whipped icing?
I don’t think so!!
I LOVE whipped cream as an icing. Not a huge super sweet fan and I love that light touch of a whipped icing on
cakes and such.
Wonderful. Pinned ♥
thanks Brandi.
Angela
Haha! I know, I had to add that though since it’s not a required ingredient to make them, but definitely suggested, lol!
Thank you Angela so much! This icing is my favorite ever…it is so light and creamy, I was just dying….the first time I made it, I added too much coconut butter and it was ugly and too crumbly and not light. By adding just a touch, it gave it structure and hold, but letting the beautiful creaminess shine through….just barely sweetened so the cupcakes are the star….the light touch, just like you said 🙂
These are absolutely beautiful. What dreams are made of. Please come open a bakery in Washington so I can visit you daily. And proceed to gain 50lbs.
LOL! You are so sweet Brittany! Thank you. Girl, I’d blow up too if I had a bakery, I would eat everything, that would be very bad! I’ll stick to blogging 😉
These look delicious, Brandi! Thank you for explaining why you don’t recommend Bob’s Red Mill almond flour, I’ve heard others make a similar comment but never knew why! xoxo
Thank you Erin! They are truly delicious. Yes, I’m a huge fan of Bob’s Red Mill and have been using MANY of his products for a long time, but for some reason they aren’t on the ball when it comes to almond flour. I use every single other product though. I wish they’d get better grinding machines or something for those almonds….I notice a major difference in my rise of the baked goods when using it 🙁
I was searching just this morning for an icing that would be thicker than simple coconut whipped cream–you’re a life saver! It’s my birthday on Monday and I’m going to make these to share with my classmates 🙂 Hooray for another amazing creation!
Courtney, you are the sweetest for always making so many of my recipes, I really appreciate it! Yay! I hope you love it and your classmates. Just make sure your coconut milk is thick and chilled, or it may not work as well. Also, keep the icing chilled or the prepped cupcakes chilled until right before you serve them, just to ensure the icing holds up as long as possible. I left mine out for quite awhile and they were fine, but you never know depending on the coconut milk or climate.
I honestly would suggest piping the icing right before serving, because placing the cupcakes in the fridge will make them more firm and less light and fluffy. Hope this helps!
Thank you for the suggestions! I will definitely take pictures and let you know how it all goes 🙂
I made the cupcakes last night and wow… just WOW. The addition of the espresso was unbelievably awesome, and I ate an obscene amount of batter! Delicious!
Aww yay!! Thank you so much for letting me know Courtney!! I’m so happy to hear that and yes, the batter is SO addictive, haha!
Oh, I LOVE pumpkin anything and this frosting looks like it’s to DIE for! I seriously want to lick it off the screen! Seriously, seriously.
Hahaha! My daughter was going crazy over it too! Thanks Melanie! The icing is definitely magical on these.
Although I have never had a pumpkin spiced latte, I know crazy but I do not like coffee and I’m caffeine intolerant so I don’t drink it, these still look amazing! And good to know about the Bob’s Red Mill, I haven’t tried their almond flour and now won’t. Thanks for the heads up! You probably saved a few baked goods of mine…Lol! Since I am not a coffee fan, I don’t create any coffee flavored desserts, but I’m so happy to have a recipe to go to when I need one! Definitely bookmarking this!
Thank you Sophia! Yeah, I think I should write them about their almond flour because seriously I use ALL of their products, which are a ton, except their almond flour. It just is very dissapointing because it’s so gritty. My hubby would always complain and spit out the little bits of almond everytime I baked with it. Things also didn’t get as fluffy. But if I use Simple Truth, he has no clue almond flour is even in there, and it’s half the price of Bob’s. Oh, and I stopped drinking coffee awhile back because it made me too dizzy, so I don’t drink it but very rarely, but I LOVE the flavor enhancement it gives to desserts, especially chocolate!! 🙂
We should write them! Bits of almond would be nasty! And if I ever need a natural pick me up, I’ll just down one of these! You don’t want to see me on caffeine of any kind, and combine that with the small amount in chocolate and it’s like me on speed! Which my husband says is my normal self so even more would be off the charts. Lol! But maybe I could use it to finally get through cooking/baking all the ideas in my head? Ha!!!
These are so beautiful Brandi! Thank you for your being such a superstar with all your baking experiments 😀 I’ve never had a pumpkin spice latte as I don’t drink coffee but I love the taste of coffee in desserts so I bet I’d love these.
Great little tip on the coconut butter in the whip too!
Aww thanks Emma! My pleasure 🙂
Your cupcakes look so addictive, I need to try them! Delicious combo of pumpkin spice and latte flavours!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Thank you so much Uru! You would love them!
I once thought complicated, long recipes created the most “gourmet” dishes and I’d prepare endless meals for my guests with these over the top dishes. They were impressed, but I was wiped out! Fast forward to NOW, my pantry is clean, with the most simple, healthy ingredients. I only want to cook and bake with what I have and not out searching for ingredients I may only use once. These are sooo awesome. Over the top in my book. I will definitely make these and stop back to leave you my review – which I so believe will be 5 star!!
Aww thanks so much Linda! I sure hope you get to try them! I know what you mean too….too exhausting.
I am going to make these tonight, but I think I will omit the espresso powder. 🙂
Awesome Nicole! Please, please come back and leave me feedback after you make them! I’d love to hear what you think! Thank you. 🙂
I almost forgot to come back and give you my feedback. The cupcakes were delicious! I loved the texture and flavour. I omitted the espresso because I thought my kids would prefer that. They were excellent without the icing. In fact we ate them for breakfast as such. 🙂 Thanks for a great recipe!
Yay! Thanks so much for coming back and leaving feedback! So glad you and your kids loved them so much! 🙂
Your creations never cease to amaze me, Brandi. I finally bought some potato starch so I hope to try these out soon. 🙂
Awww Janet, thank you so much for your kind words! I really appreciate them! Please let me know if you make these! xo
I’m not a huge pumpkin lover but these look so good. Love the spices and the espresso! I think I would love these pumpkin or no pumpkin.
You know, I’m actually don’t like the taste of pumpkin on it’s own…it’s kind of gross, but when mixed with spices and sweetener, it’s heavenly!
Wow, these are amazing! This was the first gluten free recipe I had tried and was worried they would either be too dry or fall apart and they were perfect! So moist, great flavor, and the “icing” was so light and fluffy with just the right amount of sweetness. My entire family was impressed with them! Yummy! I’ll be making these all season for sure.
Aww awesome Heidi! I’m so happy that your first gluten-free recipe was a success and it was mine! Ha! That makes me super happy and I’m so appreciative for you leaving feedback on my blog and tagging me on Instagram with your photo 🙂
these have jumped right to the top of my must make list. I have rather too much affection for pumpkin spice lattes, so I’m very happy to see them magicked into another form. Can you do the icing whipping by hand or does it need an electric whisk?!
I’m so glad you are excited about these Joey! Please do come leave me feedback after you make them! I think you will surely love them 🙂
I can’t have nuts or coconut, so what can I use instead of the almond flour and lite coconut milk in the cupcakes and what can I use instead of full fat coconut milk in the icing? Thanks 🙂
Oh, as well as what could I use instead of the melted coconut butter in the icing as well? lol thanks again 🙂
Hi Lindsay! Oh, man, what a bummer! Since the almond flour and coconut milk are 2 main ingredients, I’m afraid changing them will sacrifice the final result. You definitely wouldn’t be able to make the icing, because the only 2 ingredients really is coconut milk and coconut butter, so without those, it’s not going to be much of a recipe. There isn’t a replacement for coconut butter and coconut cream in the icing. You would just have to try maybe a standard vegan buttercream or a cashew cream icing. As far as the cupcakes, my only suggestion would be to sub the almond flour with sunflower kernels (raw, unsalted) ground into a flour and then measure the amount called for in the recipe (1 3/4 cups) and increase that with 2 tablespoons since the ground sunflower will not be as fluffy. You can sub the coconut milk with soy milk. But, please keep in mind, I have not tried it or written it this way with these subs, so please know that it will alter the taste and texture. They will likely not be as fluffy. Please report back if you make them and let me know how it turns out. Trying to help best I can! 🙂
I made these and they were delicious! I actually prefer them the day after (if any are left:) as they firmed up some. I’ve never made a vegan and gluten-free baked good that was so moist and didn’t crumble. These are terrific!
Wonderful Kelly! So glad to hear your first vegan, gluten-free success recipe was one of mine! That makes me super happy! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave feedback, I love reading it!
This recipe is nothing short of magical… I mean, really, it’s just too good to be true! Everyone who has tasted the muffins/cupcakes/cakes (whatever form I bake them in!), is speechless. There’s a richness that is close to buttery! When I’m lazy and don’t make the frosting, I sprinkle maple sugar or coconut sugar on top– delicious! This is one of my favorite recipes! Thanks so much Brandi!
Omg omg omg I’m so excited to try this recipe! I used to adore the pumpkin spice latte until my palate matured a few years ago and I realized that it was a super sugary drink with no real pumpkin in it. Give me a dozen of these gorgeous, fluffy cupcakes anyday! And I really need to make coconut whipped cream. This looks absolutely dreamy!
Thank you so much Nancy! Those things are definitely yummy, but yeah, I would kind of rather just eat a cupcake, ya know?! 🙂
do you think you can reduce or even omit the maple syrup in this recipe and sub with stevia without affecting the texture too much?
thanks so much!!
Hi Kay! You can try. You definitely can’t omit it, as you need the liquid. It will change the flavor as well since maple syrup of course is the sweetener. I don’t use stevia, so I don’t know what kind of taste it will leave, but you can omit the syrup and increase the coconut milk to one cup and try that. Definitely use the “lite” coconut milk, because you will need that creaminess for the texture and taste, especially if omitting the syrup. Please let me know how it turns out!
Hey lady, do you think that tapioca starch would work in these instead of the potato? I ran out of the potato starch and have a ton of tapioca, so I figured I’d ask 🙂 I’m getting married in a few weeks and wanted to make these for my incredibly small reception afterwards!
Hi Courtney! Do you have cornstarch? That will give you the closest result that the potato starch will. Tapioca will make them maybe too moist and a bit gluey, as tapioca is a strong binding agent and enhances moisture and browning as well. I haven’t tried it with the tapioca, but I do know that cornstarch is very similar in baking as potato starch is. I would do a trial run prior to your reception and let me know how it goes!
I’ll give that a shot! Thanks, Brandi 🙂
I made these for our brunch. Easy to make, ton of fall flavors, sooo good! I wasn’t able to get the whipped icing out of coconut milk (was chilled for three days). Oh well, they were delicious without the frosting too. Thank you so much!
So glad you loved these Lana! Thank you for making them! Which brand did you use? Did you scoop out just the cream at the top of the can? Some brands vary greatly in the quality of the coconut milk and it has to be the full-fat kind, or it won’t work. If after chilling, the cream isn’t separated/hardened at the top, then it won’t work. I have found only Thai Kitchen brand to work best. Or also, you could buy cans that are strictly JUST coconut cream, but I’ve only seen those at Whole Foods.
Thanks, Brandi. I used some generic store bought brand. Didn’t seem to separate. Will try with the coconut cream. Thank you!
Yes, I’ve found some brands do not perform well at all! Definitely worth the investment to get a high quality cream for this 🙂
Best cupcakes ever! I sent the recipe to my family and friends and will bring two dozens to work for Halloween! I just discovered your site, i will try more of your recipies very soon!!! Love everything that has pumpkin in it!! Yummy!! 😋
Love this feedback Elise, thank you so much for letting me know! So happy you loved these so much!
Can I substitute the almond flour for coconut flower instead?
No, unfortunately coconut flour will not work here. Coconut flour is VERY absorbent and would make these extremely dry and crumbly, as it sucks out all the moisture. The almond flour is crucial.
Can coconut oil be substituted for the coconut butter? I always have oil but never have butter.
Thanks!
Hi Lori! The coconut butter is needed to help firm up the frosting. Coconut butter hardens much more than coconut oil does. If you were to use oil, then your icing would be more light and melt much faster, so I guess as long as you keep them in the fridge, it might work.
Brandi, Have you used Trader Joe’s brand of almond flour? Just wondering if it’s comparable to the brands you prefer…we don’t have H-E-B or Kroger where I live.
Thanks!
Even though I did not have espresso power, these muffins were very delicious. Very easy to make. I also added some vegan chocolate chips to some and topped with walnut. Highly recommend this recipe.
These are THE BEST cupcake/muffins ever! I’ve made them full size and mini- and both come out perfect. For a week-long camping trip with a friend, I baked these for road trip food… all my friend could talk about were the cupcakes. No matter what gorgeous landscape we saw that day, she ended the day and began the day with, “do you have any more of those muffins?” She’s not a vegan! We camped in Feb 2017 and she still talks about the pumpkin muffins! ha ha! They’re perfect!