Description
These Honey Peach Cream Cheese Cupcakes combine moist, fluffy vanilla cupcakes with a sweet peach preserves filling and a smooth cream cheese frosting. Topped with fresh diced peaches, a drizzle of honey, and sparkling sugar crystals, these cupcakes are perfect for a delightful dessert or special occasion treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Cupcakes:
- 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
Frosting and Toppings:
- 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 your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners to ensure easy removal and clean-up.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create tender cupcakes.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate the eggs one at a time into the butter mixture, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract to enhance flavor.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Alternately add the flour mixture and buttermilk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can make the cupcakes dense.
- Assemble Cupcakes: Fill each cupcake liner halfway with the batter, then spoon in a layer of peach preserves. Cover the preserves with more batter until the liners are about three-quarters full.
- Bake: Place the muffin tin in the oven and bake the cupcakes for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Once done, allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.
- Prepare Frosting: In a small bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and milk until smooth and creamy. This frosting is light and complements the sweet peach filling perfectly.
- Frost and Decorate: Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly on the cooled cupcakes. Top each with diced fresh peaches, drizzle with honey for added sweetness, and sprinkle sugar crystals on top for a festive sparkle.
Notes
- Ensure butter and cream cheese are softened to room temperature for easier mixing and a smoother texture.
- You can substitute fresh peaches with canned if desired, but fresh will provide the best flavor and texture.
- To make cupcakes extra moist, be careful not to overbake.
- Storage: Keep cupcakes refrigerated due to the cream cheese frosting and consume within 3 days for best taste.
