Snip 13
Master Chef
It looks like you used small paper water cups on the first one. That paper is not meant to be baked and is thicker than cupcake paper. Therefore more heat is going into the paper cup than into the cake batter.
For a flat top, use only the paper cups meant for the cupcakes. Then fill the paper cups 2/3 full and flatten the batter in the center with a spoon. You will get a flat top cupcake. The batter should then bake to the top of the paper and the frosting should bring it above the paper. Easier to frost.
We have some pro bakers here. Am I right? This is what I do when I have to make cupcakes for an event.
Oops, sorry! I only read the other posts now. I also said flatten tops with a spoon before baking
It does work though, I do it all the time!