My Humps

Lately I've noticed a lot of posts and tips on how to get the perfect cupcake dome.

On Pinterest I've seen a couple posts and always re-pin to save and test out later. Who doesn't want perfect humps? I know I do! But with so many tricks floating around how do you choose which one will actually work. I got curious last night and decided to find out in my own kitchen. I used the two ways I already had saved and found another two from a google search. Let me share my results from four different methods on how to achieve the Snooki poof in cupcake land.

Test #1: Fill cupcake liners 3/4 full, preheat & bake @ 400°F for 22 minutes

As you may have already noticed this test batch came out a little on the burnt side. The high temperature didn't do as promised. The post said the high temperature would set the outer edges causing the inside to rise and form the rounded top. In my test it just caused the cupcake to brown faster than the inside could bake. No good.

Test #2: Fill cupcake liners 3/4 full, preheat to 350°F, reduce and bake @ 325°F for 24 minutes

I had such high hopes for this batch. I took them out of the oven with a perfect color on top and just the cutest hump. I put the next batch into the oven and when I turned around to place this batch on the cooling rack the hump had been leveled. Bye Bye Bye. I am still not convinced of this reducing the temperature method. How quickly can an oven really lower its temp? Sad times.

Test #3: Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full, preheat & bake @ 350°F for 24 minutes

The suggestion for this test was to fill a little less so the batter had somewhere to go and rise to a mound. Well I got a mound, a pointy one that is. Not what I was hoping for. Next please.

Test #4: Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full, preheat & bake @ 375°F for 8 minutes, reduce & bake @ 350°F  for 14 minutes. 

No words. I just. Uhhhh. Whatevs.

The search continues. On the plus side, cupcakes are still oh so yummy even without lovely lady lumps.

Comment below if you have a method to achieving the perfect round top. Or if you have tried any of the ones listed above with different results.

Now go.... Go decorate and eat cupcakes. Thank you, come again!