Why do your fairy cakes rise and split?

There are several reasons why fairy cakes (also known as cupcakes) might rise and split:

1. Too much baking powder or baking soda: Ensure you measure the amount of baking powder or baking soda correctly. Adding too much can cause the batter to rise too quickly, leading to splitting.

2. Over-mixing the batter: Over-mixing the batter can develop too much gluten in the flour, causing the cakes to rise and then split. Mix until the ingredients are just combined, and avoid over-beating.

3. Oven temperature is too high: Baking fairy cakes at too high a temperature can cause them to rise rapidly and split. Make sure to preheat the oven to the correct temperature and follow the recipe's baking instructions carefully.

4. Not filling the cupcake liners properly: If the cupcake liners are overfilled with batter, the cakes may not have enough space to expand properly and may split as they rise. Fill the liners only about two-thirds to three-quarters full.

5. Incorrect baking time: If fairy cakes are baked for too long, they can rise too much and then collapse, causing them to split. Bake for the recommended time specified in the recipe.

6. Incorrect cooling: Letting the fairy cakes cool too quickly can cause them to shrink and split. Allow the cakes to cool inside the oven for a few minutes before removing them to cool completely on a wire rack.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can ensure that your fairy cakes rise evenly and without splitting.