What is the professional way to decorate cupcakes? When I look at cupcakes from the Cupcake Cafe NYC website, it looks like the top is flat. Is this what you are supposed to do?

some people bake them up that way......others like a mound on top.......I think it's all a personal preference

I think I answered my own question. I made fall floral cupcakes today and the ones I cut the top off of looked a lot better. You can probably see in the photo.

IF I want a cupcake to be flat, I bake it at 325 for about 5 minutes longer than indicated in the recipe.

If I want a dome, I bake them at 400 for 10 or 15 minutes. I just keep an eye on them.

The instructions for cupcake cakes state to put a board on top, just after they come out of the oven to make them flat and even.

I normally bake mine for the dome effect. I even leave it on when I am adding flowers.

This thread reminds me of the Seinfeld episode about the muffin tops.

"It's the best part. It's where the muffin breaks free of the pan and sort of does its own thing!"

Dont you just love Seinfeld! LOL I love that show. I only watch the reruns on TBS these days.

I know! I miss it so much!

If I want them flat I use WASC and only fill the cups 2/3 full, they always come out nice and flat