Description
These Honey Peach Cream Cheese Cupcakes combine moist, tender cupcakes infused with peach preserves and topped with a smooth cream cheese frosting. Finished with fresh peach pieces, a drizzle of honey, and a sprinkle of sugar crystals, they offer a delightful balance of sweetness and fresh fruit flavor perfect for any occasion.
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
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
Topping
- 1/2 cup diced fresh peaches
- 2 tablespoons honey (for drizzle)
- Sugar crystals (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners to ensure easy removal after baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and salt in the flour.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cupcake texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate the eggs one at a time into the butter mixture, beating well after each to maintain a smooth batter. Stir in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Alternate Flour and Buttermilk: Gradually add the flour mixture and buttermilk to the batter alternately, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix just until combined to avoid overmixing, which can make cupcakes tough.
- Fill Cupcake Liners: Spoon batter halfway into each cupcake liner, add a spoonful of peach preserves on top, then cover with more batter until the liners are about three-quarters full.
- Bake: Bake the cupcakes for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting: In a small bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and milk together until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Frost and Decorate: Frost the cooled cupcakes generously with the cream cheese frosting. Top each with diced fresh peaches, drizzle with honey, and sprinkle with sugar crystals for an appealing finish.
Notes
- Make sure the butter and cream cheese are softened to room temperature for easy mixing and smooth batter/frosting.
- Do not overmix the batter once the flour is added to avoid dense cupcakes.
- Use fresh peaches when in season to enhance the natural sweetness and texture.
- For a more pronounced peach flavor, swirl some peach preserves into the cream cheese frosting.
- If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the granulated and powdered sugar slightly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
