When I make cupcakes the tops are always sticky why is this? and how can I prevent it from happening. TIA

Are they sticky when you take them out of the oven? I have sticky tops if I put my cupcakes in a container after baking and cooling. Which I always do as cupcakes seem to dry out so fast.
When I'm ready to decorate, I take them out of the container and leave them sit uncovered for about an hour and that usually does the trick.

Its something to do with the sugar creating moisture but I don't know all the technical baking stuff as to why. I get sticky tops on my cakes too if I seal them up with plastic wrap. I do the same as I do with my cupcakes, unwrap the cakes, let sit to get air, and the tops eventually dry up nice.
Try leaving your cupcakes sit out on your counter without any covering for a while and see if that makes a difference.

Good luck!

Joyfull4444- They come out of the oven sticky, and when I put them in the container I don't seal completely because of this. So if it's a sugar problem is there anyway to fix it?

Yep, sticky tops when I take them out of the container I've stored them in.
They are fine when they come out of the oven. Maybe yours are not baked all the way. Have no suggestions for you.

I get the sticky top on cakes and cupcakes after they cool and sit a while. It's not a problem. . . I just frost over top. I actually think it's the best part of the cake! If I have to level a cake, the sticky part is chef's choice!

I always get a slightly sticky top when I used the WASC recipe for cupcakes. My icing covers it, though, so it's not a problem once they're iced.

AI made macsmom's rootbeer float cupcakes last night and the tops are really sticky. Even after they have been sitting out. The insides are done so I'm not sure what the deal is. This is my first time using a box cake and adding more ingredients.

Sticky cupcake tops don't bother me.....Cover that top with delicious creamy icing and chow down. Yummmm

You get sticky tops when your sugar doesn't melt enough in your batter. It usually comes out of the oven dry to touch but gets sticky when cool whether you cover it or not.

Sticky tops coming out the oven usually means the cake is under-baked. 

AI don't understand it though because the rest of the cupcakes are definitely baked enough. :-(

Thanks!