Most people are accustomed to seeing cupcakes with domed tops, but you still don’t want them to turn out too curved.
If you’re looking for tips to help keep your cupcakes flat, read on.
Avoid Leaving Cupcake Mixture Out Too Long
One thing that you should know is that leaving the cupcake mixture out too long can be detrimental. Some people make the mistake of mixing the batter up and then stepping away for a bit.
You might mix the batter up and then get a phone call or something such as that. When you decide to step away for an hour, leaving the batter out on the counter will wind up causing things to bake unevenly.
It’s much better to go ahead and put the cupcakes in the oven as soon as you’re done mixing things up. Waiting isn’t going to do you any favors.
If you wait to put the cupcakes in the oven, it’ll be less likely that things will turn out flat. You might even wind up with the dreaded “exploded volcano” tops that nobody wants.
To ensure that things go fine, it’ll be wise to preheat the oven as you’re mixing the batter. This will make it so that the oven will be at the right temperature when you’re done with the batter.
Simply put the cupcakes in the cupcake pan and then put them in the oven. Set your timer and wait the recommended amount of time based on the recipe that you’re following.
If all goes well, you’re going to get cupcakes with flat tops. Of course, there are other tips that you need to consider to make it more likely that you’ll get the right results.
Bake at a Lower Temperature
Baking at a lower temperature might be the key to getting better results. If you’re using an oven that has a fan, baking at a temperature of 340 degrees Fahrenheit should work out nicely.
Those who use an oven without a fan will want to consider baking the cupcakes at 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Yes, this can take a bit longer, but you’ll be able to get more reliable results.
It should ensure that everything bakes all the way through without burning or causing other problems. If you’re using a recipe that asks you to bake at a higher temperature, you might need to make some alterations.
For example, the recommended baking time will change due to you changing the baking temperature. This might require you to keep a closer eye on the cupcakes to see how things go.
It’s also worth mentioning that using an oven thermometer can be very good. This can help you to know the exact temperature in the oven.
Some ovens have hot spots that will make the temperature setting on the digital display somewhat inaccurate. Using an oven thermometer ensures that you’re getting an accurate idea of the temperature inside the oven.
Avoid Overfilling Cups
Overfilling the cups could wind up causing the cupcakes to bake improperly. You’ll be more likely to get domed tops or to have the cupcakes overflow if you fill them too much.
Hold back a bit when filling the cupcake pan with the batter. You don’t want to fill it all the way to the top.
Ideally, you should be filling the cupcake pan slots about two-thirds full. This should be the perfect ratio that will help you to get the flat cupcakes that you desire.
Try to be consistent with each slot of the pan. You’ll be able to fill things properly and should be able to enjoy good results.
You might even wind up having more batter than you need. Instead of filling the cupcake pans all the way, it’d be better to use another pan to bake another set of cupcakes if you have leftover batter.
Don’t Overmix
Overmixing can be a big problem that will keep the cupcakes from turning out perfectly. You want to mix all of your ingredients together without going overboard.
Sometimes people make mistakes when using power mixers. If you use a large stand mixer to mix the cupcake batter, you’ll want to be sure not to mix more than is necessary.
Even using a simple hand mixer could make it so that you will mix the batter too much. You must be aware of how much you’re mixing things and stop when you’re supposed to.
You’re supposed to mix until all of the ingredients are properly combined. Continuing to mix after this point is only going to make you get worse results.
As soon as the ingredients have come together to form a batter, you’re going to want to stop mixing. Don’t continue a moment longer than you need to.
If you’re having trouble with overmixing, it might be helpful to switch to mixing things by hand. You can get the job done with a handy spatula.
Some don’t like doing this since it takes a lot of effort. Regardless, it’s up to you to decide which path to take.
It’s perfectly fine to use a hand mixer or a stand mixer to get the batter mixed up. You just need to avoid overmixing or you’ll encounter problems with getting the cupcakes to come out with flat tops.
Batter Should Have the Right Consistency
The batter should have the right consistency when you’re done. Cupcakes will turn out the best when the batter is just right.
You want the batter to not be too stiff, but it also can’t be too runny. It’s important to be able to easily pick it up with a spoon without having the batter run over the edges.
It should also be able to easily drop off the spoon without sticking. If you’re able to make your batter turn out this way, then it’ll bake better for you.
Be sure that you’re using fresh ingredients so that you can get the right consistency. Of course, you need to avoid overmixing as well.
Use the Right Cupcake Tins
Using the right cupcake tins can have an impact as well. If you’re not using a good cupcake pan to bake your cupcakes, it’ll be far less likely that your cupcakes will turn out with flat tops.
To get the best results, it’s recommended to use a good aluminum muffin tin. You can easily buy what you need from a department store or an online retailer.
Once you have the right cupcake pan to work with, it’ll be easier to get consistent results. Aluminum cupcake pans are excellent at evenly distributing the heat while baking.
You should be able to get the cupcakes to turn out with flat tops if you followed the rest of the advice listed above. All of the factors come together to help you create the perfect cupcakes of your dreams.
What About Slicing the Tops Off?
Technically, you could just slice the tops off of the cupcakes to make things flat. If all else fails, then you can go that route if you want to.
It isn’t that tough to get the cupcakes to turn out flat, though. The advice above should make it simple enough to get the results that you’re hoping for.
Of course, you might not want to waste cupcakes if they turn out without flat tops. You can just take a knife and cut the tops to make things flat if you want to.
There’s also nothing wrong with domed top cupcakes. In fact, many people prefer cupcakes that have domed tops.
If you have trouble getting the flat tops that you desire, cutting the tops off is always an option. Just know that you should be able to make flat-top cupcakes if you keep at it and use the advice that you’ve been given to the fullest.
Final Thoughts
You’ve been able to learn a lot about how to make flat cupcakes. After reading all of the handy tips above, you should feel ready to get in the kitchen and make the best cupcakes that you can.
Getting everything to turn out flat is really about approaching the situation from the right angle. You need to prepare the batter properly, avoid overmixing, and fill the cupcake tins until they’re two-thirds full.
It’s also imperative to use a good aluminum cupcake pan that will distribute the heat evenly. Baking at lower temperatures can help out a lot as well.
Don’t leave the batter sitting on the counter. When you’re done mixing the batter up, it’s going to be time to fill the cupcake tins and start baking.
Hopefully, you’ll be able to get the results that you’re hoping for. It should be easy enough to accomplish.
You’ll be able to enjoy your flat cupcakes with your family soon enough. Make some for a special occasion sometime soon if you’re ready to give it a go.
Sarah is the founder of Baking Kneads, LLC, a blog sharing guides, tips, and recipes for those learning how to bake. Growing up as the daughter of a baker, she spent much of her childhood learning the basics in a local bakery.