How to Cook Cupcakes in a Fan-Forced Oven

Cupcakes baked in a convection oven cook faster and more thoroughly.

Cupcakes are a staple dessert for birthdays, parties and weddings. Versatile and easy to make, the toppings and cake itself can be made in a variety of flavors with a multitude of extra ingredients, from chocolate to nuts to fruit. A fan-forced oven -- also called a convection oven due to the continuous movement of heat -- is recognized as the best oven for baking cupcakes. With a few easy guidelines, creating the perfect cupcake in a fan-forced oven is easy, and produces the best results.

Things You'll Need

• Muffin tin with paper baking cups inserted, and cupcake batter inserted
• Fan-forced, or convection, oven
• Small flat baking tray
• Oven mitts

Instructions

1. Examine the cupcake recipe you are using. Reduce the cooking time by 25 percent. For example, if the recipe originally called for the cupcakes to be cooked for one hour, bake them for 45 minutes.

2. Always preheat convection ovens before baking in them to allow the heat to distribute evenly. Place the baking rack in the middle of the oven.

3. Place the cupcake tray in the oven, directly in the middle to allow movement of air throughout the oven and around the cupcakes.

4. Place the small baking tray behind the cupcake tray to keep the fan from blowing wave-like shapes into the tops of the cupcakes.

5. Check on the cupcakes halfway through the baking process and if they appear to be cooking too fast, then lower the oven's temperature by 5 degrees.

Tips & Warnings

• Always watch the cupcakes for they tend to cook faster in a convection rather than a traditional oven.

References

• Sourdough: Browning and fan forced ovens
• Fine Cooking: Better Cooking Through Convection
• Food Resources: Quickbread Frequently Asked Questions