So I tried a new recipie today for chocolate cupcakes. They taste great, the texture is good inside, but they cracked and went flaky on the top. Any thoughts as to why something like this might happen?

were your ingredients at room temperature? That is the only thought that I have...maybe somebody else has a better answer???

I would like to know as well, although I suspect it's the chocolate. This happens to me with every chocolate cake I bake, so it's either the chocolate or the oven.

I have to admit my eggs and buttermilk were still cold and my chocolate still a little warm. Guess I rushed it a bit. I'll try again tomorrow.