Okay can somebody solve one of the mysteries of life for me. Why is it, no matter what recipe I use, my cupcakes always rise up in the middle. So does my madeira and carrot cakes, basically anything that includes margarine or butter. I always end up having to lop of a piece to flatten them.

When watching pastry shows on TV, they have mentioned that the reason cupcakes get a dome-like affect is due to overmixing of a the batter. I just made cupcakes on the weekend and really paid attention to the time that the batter mixed and I didn't get any domes where in the past I would have.

I usually mix all my ingredients really well & always add the eggs last. Then I just mix the eggs enough to make sure they are blended. I've never really had to level my cakes..they all come out pretty flat. I also like to use a clean towel to press down on them to get the air out...that might help with the dome.

Okay so overmixing can do it and putting eggs into the batter too early, must try that tonight.

Maybe you're overfilling?

I thought the domed part was everyone's favorite part to eat. Live and learn.

Well normally in our house its the bit thats bitten off first!!!

But if I do this wedding cupcake cake, the bride wants them royal iced and so they will have to be flat!

If you fill your cupcake liners 1/2 full they should rise to the top of the paper and be more flat. If you fill them 2/3rds they will dome.

Right when you take them out of the oven, place a paper towel on top of them and place a cookie sheet on top...then place a can or two to distribute pressure. Leave it on for several minutes, then peel away the paper and voila! flat cupcakes!
I do the same thing with my ckaes...only downside is that there's no more cake leftovers

Great idea!!! I have been looking at all your pics and everyone seems to get their cakes perfectly flat, Ill have to try that! No I might actually get the correct height and not have to lop it all off to even it out!