I made cupcakes from scratch last night using a lemon cake recipe. They tasted great but there were air pockets in them. What happened? Did I mix them too long, not long enough . . .

I have heard that air pockets are caused by mixing too long.

Yes, I've heard that overmixing can cause that too. Also, oven temperature too high can cause it. My oven cooks a little hot and I have to turn it down 25 degrees lower than the recipe calls for.

Air pockets can also form when filling the cups. I usually thump my pans flat on the counter 20 or 30 times before putting into the oven, that almost always takes care of any rogue bubbles! (I do this for regular cakes also!)

Tapping the pan on any cake is almost an automatic step for me.

Yep, mixing too long AND/OR too fast can cause air bubbles. If you mix at a high speed, try taking it down a level or two. If you mix a long time, try mixing just long enough to be sure everything is incorporated.

And the tip by DelightsByE is excellent! I do that too, and it always helps get rid of air bubbles...if it's a smaller or lighter pan, you'll have to thump then down onto the counter, but if it's a larger or heavier pan, you can hold the pan several inches above the counter and just drop it several times.

Thanks for all the tips! I appreciate the help!