Description
These Honey Peach Cream Cheese Cupcakes combine a moist, fluffy vanilla base with a sweet peach preserves center, topped with a smooth cream cheese frosting, fresh peach pieces, a drizzle of honey, and sparkling sugar crystals for an elegant finish. Perfect for summer gatherings or a delightful dessert any time of the year.
Ingredients
Scale
Cupcake Batter
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup peach preserves
Cream Cheese Frosting and Garnish
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1/2 cup diced fresh peaches
- 2 tablespoons honey (for drizzle)
- Sugar crystals (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners to prevent sticking and make removal easy.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined, to ensure proper leavening and balanced flavor.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which incorporates air for a tender crumb.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to ensure they are fully incorporated. Stir in the vanilla extract to add depth to the cupcake flavor.
- Combine Batter: Alternately add the dry flour mixture and buttermilk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Mix just until combined to avoid overworking the batter, which can cause toughness.
- Fill Cupcake Liners: Fill each cupcake liner halfway with batter. Add a spoonful of peach preserves into the center, then cover with more batter until the liners are about three-quarters full to allow room for rising.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the cupcakes are fully baked.
- Cool: Remove cupcakes from oven and let them cool completely in the pan or on a wire rack to prepare for frosting.
- Prepare Frosting: In a small bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with powdered sugar and milk until smooth and creamy for a rich, tangy frosting.
- Frost and Garnish: Frost the cooled cupcakes generously with the cream cheese mixture. Top each cupcake with diced fresh peaches, drizzle with honey, and sprinkle sugar crystals for added texture and visual appeal.
Notes
- Ensure butter and cream cheese are softened to room temperature for smooth mixing.
- Use fresh peaches when in season for the best flavor and texture.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the cupcakes light and tender.
- Allow cupcakes to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and sliding.
- Peach preserves can be swapped with apricot or other stone fruit preserves as a variation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
