As a rule, a CTE will NEVER improve performance. A CTE is essentially a disposable view. There are no additional statistics stored, no indexes, etc. It functions as a shorthand for a subquery. In my opinion they can be EASILY overused (I see a lot of overuse in code in my job).
Check the cupcakes at the minimum baking time. If the recommended baking time is 18-22 minutes, check them at 17 or 18 minutes (just a quick peek, make sure not to let too much heat out of the oven). If the tops are rounded and no long appear wet, they may be done.
1 Cream cream cheese add sugar and beat well. 2  Add eggs one at a time beating each one in completly. 3  Stir in vanilla. 4  Put cupcake papers in muffin pan. 5  Fill cups 2/3 full. 6  Bake for 40 minutes. 7  Take out of oven and cool for 5 minutes. 8  While Cheesecakes are cooking mix Sour cream, sugar, and vanilla together.