Cupcake Baking Temperature – Is Higher Or Lower Better?


Cupcake Baking Temperature - Is Higher Or Lower Better

Cupcakes are available in over 100 flavors, including lemon, coffee, vanilla, pumpkin, and banana. However, regardless of the flavor, baking the cupcakes at the right temperature is critical in ensuring the best results.

So then, what is the right cupcake baking temperature? The baking cupcakes’ temperature ranges from 325 to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. 325 °F is on the lower side and usually produces less golden, fluffier, and flat-topped cupcakes. And 375 °F is on the higher side, resulting in more domed-shaped cupcakes with a crisper and more golden crust.

how to make domed-shaped cupcakes with a crisper and more golden crust.

But is it better to bake cupcakes at 325 or 350 degrees Fahrenheit? Below, you will find all there is to know about the baking temperature for cupcakes.

What Is The Ideal Cupcake Baking Temperature In a Conventional Oven?

Typically, in a conventional, also called traditional oven, you can bake most cupcakes at temperatures between 325 and 375 degrees Fahrenheit. A traditional oven boasts upper and bottom heating elements inside, with a middle rack best for baking cupcakes.

However, this baking temperature for cupcakes differs based on various factors, including:

Baking Time

For instance, if you want the cakes to be ready in less than 20 minutes, you should bake them at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. But if you are not in a hurry to have the cupcakes ready, you can bake them at a lower temperature of 325°F.

Design of the Cupcake’s Tops

If you want your cupcakes to have flat tops, you should bake them at low temperatures of 325 degrees F. On the other hand, if you wish to make cupcakes with higher-rising domes, the best baking temperature would be 350 or 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cupcakes Texture

Design of the Cupcake's Tops
Design of the Cupcake’s Tops

Sometimes, you may want cupcakes with slightly crisp edges or a softer and more homogenous crumb. To achieve the former, you should bake the cake at a lower temperature of 325 °F. But to get the latter, you should increase the temperature by 325 or 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Individual Oven

Different conventional ovens set at the same temperature may vary so much. You may find your oven is 15 degrees Fahrenheit hotter than what is stated, which will make baking the cupcakes a nightmare. So, it is advisable to get an oven thermometer to determine the correct temperature.

What Temperature to Cook Cupcakes in a Convection Oven?

When set to the same temperature, conventional ovens run about 25 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than their convection counterparts. The reason is that convection ovens have a fan and exhaust system for circulating hot air inside. This ensures fast baking time as the oven heats up very quickly.

A Convection Oven
A Convection Oven

So, when baking cupcakes in a convection oven, you must reduce the temperature by 25 °F unless stated otherwise. This is because most recipes provide temperature settings for a conventional oven.

Is It Better To Bake Cupcakes at 325 °F or 350 °F Temperature Range?

Although you can bake most cupcake recipes between 325 and 375 degrees Fahrenheit, 350 is the ideal temperature. This is unless you want flat-topped cupcakes.

Accordingly, 350 °F is better for baking cupcakes than 325 °F because it is a moderate temperature. This means it is neither too high nor too low, allowing enough time for browning or Maillard reaction. As such, your cupcakes can bake evenly without burning, giving them some glorious flavors.

How Long to Bake Cupcakes at 350 Degrees F?

The baking time may vary based on the size and type of the cupcakes. For instance, baking mini cupcakes at 350 degrees F should take 15 to 20 minutes. However, if the cupcakes are giant in size, you should allow them to bake for 5 to 10 extra minutes.

On the other hand, baking chocolate cupcakes at 350 °F may take 18 to 21 minutes. But you may have to wait 22 to 35 minutes for banana cupcakes to bake at 350 °F.

Can I Bake Cupcakes at 150 Degrees Celsius?

Yes, it is possible. This temperature setting is equivalent to 300 degrees F. Therefore, it is slightly lower compared to the recommended 325. Even so, you can bake chocolate or fluffy vanilla cupcakes at 150 °C for about 15 minutes only.

fluffy vanilla cupcakes
fluffy vanilla cupcakes

However, this low temperature works best when using a fan-assisted or convection oven. This is because the oven heats up faster. But for the best results, you must preheat your oven for 30 minutes beforehand.

Can I Bake Cupcakes at 200 Degrees Celsius?

Certainly, you can despite this temperature being on the higher side than the recommended one of 375 degrees Fahrenheit. You see, 200 degrees Celsius is equivalent to 392 F.

That said, you should only bake your cupcakes at 200 °C for about 5 minutes. After that, you should reduce the temperature to 177 degrees Celsius or 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 to 15 minutes.

Bottom Line

The cupcake baking temperature varies primarily based on factors like the baking time, individual oven, and cake texture. It may vary between 325 and 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Even so, baking at 350 °F is better than at 325 °F temperature as long as you don’t want flat-topped cupcakes. But you know what? You can still bake at 150 °C or 300 °F and 200 °C or 392 °F.

FAQs

In the section below, we will look at frequently asked questions about the suitable cupcake baking temperature.

Q: What happens when you bake cupcakes at too high temperatures?

Too high baking temperatures cause the outside of the cupcake to cook faster than the inside. Consequently, you will end up with cracked and uncooked cupcakes.

Q: What is the highest temperature to bake cupcakes?

It is 400 degrees Fahrenheit. However, you should only bake your cupcakes at this temperature for 5 minutes only. After that, you must lower the temperature to 325 or 350 degrees Fahrenheit for up to 15 minutes.

Q: How long does it take to bake cupcakes at 325 degrees Fahrenheit?

If using a conventional oven, you should take 22 to 27 minutes to bake the cupcakes at 325°F. Baking cupcakes at this temperature takes longer than baking at 350 °F.

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