If you’re looking for a dessert that effortlessly combines the juicy freshness of peaches with the rich indulgence of cream cheese frosting, you’ve just found your new favorite. This Honey Peach Cream Cheese Cupcakes Recipe brings together moist, tender cupcakes bursting with peach preserves and fresh diced peaches, topped with a luscious, tangy cream cheese frosting that’s drizzled with golden honey and sparkling sugar crystals. Every bite captures the essence of summer sweetness and a touch of homemade comfort that is guaranteed to brighten any occasion.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are wonderfully simple yet each plays a crucial role in creating the perfect balance of texture and flavor. From the fluffy all-purpose flour base to the velvety cream cheese frosting, every component contributes to an unforgettable cupcake.
- All-purpose flour: 1 1/2 cups provides the soft, cakey structure for these cupcakes.
- Baking powder: 1 teaspoon helps the cupcakes rise to the perfect lightness.
- Baking soda: 1/2 teaspoon balances acidity and assists with leavening.
- Salt: 1/4 teaspoon enhances all the sweet flavors.
- Unsalted butter: 1/2 cup, softened, adds richness and moisture.
- Granulated sugar: 1 cup sweetens while creating a tender crumb.
- Large eggs: 2 bind ingredients and add structure.
- Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon infuses warmth and depth.
- Buttermilk: 1/2 cup adds tanginess and moisture to keep the crumb tender.
- Peach preserves: 1 cup packs concentrated peach flavor right into the batter.
- Cream cheese: 1/2 cup, softened, for the silky frosting.
- Powdered sugar: 1/4 cup sweetens frosting without graininess.
- Milk: 1 tablespoon, to achieve the perfect frosting consistency.
- Diced fresh peaches: 1/2 cup fold in juicy pops of natural sweetness.
- Honey: 2 tablespoons to drizzle on top, adding a delicate floral note.
- Sugar crystals: For garnish, bringing sparkle and crunch to finish.
How to Make Honey Peach Cream Cheese Cupcakes Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Dry Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a cupcake tin with paper liners so your cupcakes bake evenly without sticking. Next, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. This dry mixture is the foundation that gives your cupcakes rise and tenderness.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a separate large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is key for a tender crumb and gives the batter a slight airiness, which translates into perfectly soft cupcakes.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract, which will bring a warm, sweet aroma to the batter and brighten all the flavors.
Step 4: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients
Alternately add the dry ingredient mixture and the buttermilk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix gently until just combined to avoid overworking the batter — this keeps your cupcakes tender.
Step 5: Fold in Peaches and Preserves
Gently fold in the peach preserves and diced fresh peaches. These add moisture, natural sweetness, and delightful bursts of peach flavor in every bite.
Step 6: Bake the Cupcakes
Spoon the batter into your lined cupcake tins, filling each about two-thirds full. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Once baked, transfer the cupcakes to a wire rack and let them cool completely to prepare for frosting.
Step 7: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
Beat the softened cream cheese with powdered sugar until smooth. Add the milk and continue beating until the frosting is light and fluffy. This frosting perfectly balances tang and sweetness, complementing the peach goodness of the cupcakes.
Step 8: Frost and Finish
Once the cupcakes are fully cooled, frost each generously with the cream cheese frosting. Drizzle with honey for a glossy, sweet finish, and sprinkle sugar crystals on top for a sparkling touch that looks as good as it tastes.
How to Serve Honey Peach Cream Cheese Cupcakes Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra-special presentation, fresh peach slices or a small sprig of mint pair beautifully with these cupcakes. The fresh peach highlights the fruitiness inside, while a mint sprig adds a burst of green contrast and a subtle herbal note.
Side Dishes
These cupcakes are perfect on their own but also shine when served with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a cup of hot tea. The cool creaminess of ice cream contrasts wonderfully with the warm spice of the cupcakes, while tea offers a light, refreshing balance.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving the Honey Peach Cream Cheese Cupcakes Recipe on a rustic wooden board alongside jars of peach preserves and honey for a charming display. You can also pipe the frosting into delicate rosettes for a more elegant look, perfect for a bridal shower or special brunch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftover cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator where they will stay fresh for up to three days. This keeps the cream cheese frosting stable and the cupcakes moist without drying out.
Freezing
You can freeze unfrosted cupcakes by wrapping them individually in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer-safe container for up to two months. Defrost overnight in the fridge and frost just before serving to maintain their fresh, tender texture.
Reheating
If you prefer your cupcakes slightly warm, let refrigerated cupcakes come to room temperature before warming them gently in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds. Avoid reheating frosting directly as it may separate or become runny.
FAQs
Can I use canned peaches instead of fresh?
Absolutely! Just be sure to drain them well and pat dry before dicing to prevent adding too much liquid to the batter, which could affect the cupcake’s texture.
Is there a substitute for buttermilk?
Yes! You can make a simple buttermilk substitute by adding 1/2 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to 1/2 cup of milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes, and it’s ready to use.
How can I make these cupcakes dairy-free?
Try swapping the butter with vegan margarine or coconut oil and use dairy-free cream cheese along with a suitable non-dairy milk for the frosting. The texture and flavor should remain wonderfully close to the original.
Can I make the frosting less sweet?
Definitely. Reduce the powdered sugar slightly or add a touch more cream cheese to balance the sweetness while preserving the creamy texture.
How long does it take to bake the cupcakes?
Baking takes about 18 to 22 minutes, depending on your oven. Always check with a toothpick for doneness to avoid overbaking and drying out the cupcakes.
Final Thoughts
This Honey Peach Cream Cheese Cupcakes Recipe is such a joy to make and share, filled with bright, juicy fruit flavors and a dreamy cream cheese topping that feels like a celebration in every bite. I can’t wait for you to try it and experience the simple happiness these cupcakes bring — whether it’s a casual afternoon treat or the star of your next gathering.
Print
Honey Peach Cream Cheese Cupcakes Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 cupcakes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these Honey Peach Cream Cheese Cupcakes, a perfect blend of fluffy vanilla cupcakes infused with peach preserves and fresh peach pieces, topped with a smooth cream cheese frosting, honey drizzle, and sparkling sugar crystals for a sweet, elegant treat ideal for any occasion.
Ingredients
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
- 1/2 cup diced fresh peaches
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons honey (for drizzle)
- Sugar crystals (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake tin with paper liners to prepare for baking.
- Prepare 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.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate large bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cupcake texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate the eggs one at a time into the butter-sugar mixture, beating well after each addition to ensure proper emulsification, then stir in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the buttermilk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the batter.
- Fold in Peaches: Gently fold in the peach preserves and diced fresh peaches to evenly distribute fruity bursts throughout the batter.
- Fill Cupcake Liners: Spoon the batter into the prepared cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full to allow room for rising during baking.
- Bake Cupcakes: Bake in the preheated oven for 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating doneness.
- Cool Cupcakes: Remove the cupcakes from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack before frosting to prevent melting the frosting.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting: In a bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with powdered sugar until smooth, then add the milk and continue beating until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Frost Cupcakes: Once cupcakes are fully cooled, frost each cupcake generously with the cream cheese frosting.
- Garnish: Drizzle each frosted cupcake with honey and sprinkle with sugar crystals for an elegant finishing touch and added sweetness.
Notes
- Ensure cupcakes are completely cool before frosting to prevent frosting from melting.
- Use fresh, ripe peaches for the best flavor and texture in the cupcakes.
- If peach preserves are too thick, stir gently to soften before folding into the batter.
- For a more intense peach flavor, add a teaspoon of peach extract to the batter or frosting.
- Store frosted cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
