Honey Peach Cream Cheese Cupcakes Recipe
Sunshine in a cupcake, anyone? Honey Peach Cream Cheese Cupcakes combine lush summer peaches, velvety cream cheese frosting, and a drizzle of golden honey to create a treat that feels like baking happiness into every bite. Whether you make these for a backyard barbecue, summer birthday, or simply to brighten a weekday, their tender crumb, sweet-tangy flavor, and gorgeous pastel hue will delight everyone. This recipe brings together the best of summer fruit and comforting home baking in a cupcake that’s easy, fun, and totally irresistible.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients list for Honey Peach Cream Cheese Cupcakes is full of simple staples you probably already have, but each one plays a key part in building scrumptious flavor and perfect texture. Fresh or canned peaches lend juicy pockets of fruit, while honey and cream cheese provide signature depth and richness to the cupcakes and frosting.
- All-purpose flour: Creates the classic light crumb of a cupcake and supports the fruit pieces.
- Baking powder: Gives lift and softness, making every bite fluffy and tender.
- Salt: Enhances sweetness and balances the flavors throughout.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Adds richness and moisture to both cake and frosting.
- Granulated sugar: Provides structure and base sweetness without overpowering the honey or peaches.
- Honey: Brings warm, floral sweetness and helps set these cupcakes apart from everyday vanilla bakes.
- Large eggs: Give structure and help bind the batter for a smooth, even texture.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors with cozy aromatic notes.
- Whole milk: Delivers a moist, light crumb and prevents dryness.
- Finely diced fresh or canned peaches: Infuses each cupcake with juicy bites and summery color.
- Cream cheese (softened): Gives the frosting its signature tang and creamy texture.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting without any grittiness.
- Optional: Thin peach slices or a drizzle of honey: For a pretty finishing touch and a little extra sweetness right before serving.
How to Make Honey Peach Cream Cheese Cupcakes
Step 1: Prep Your Cupcake Pan and Preheat
Set the stage for cupcake magic! Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a standard 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners. This way, your Honey Peach Cream Cheese Cupcakes come out easily, look bakery-beautiful, and bake up evenly. Cupcake liners also make cleanup so much easier later on.
Step 2: Whisk the Dry Ingredients
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until everything’s evenly blended. This simple step avoids clumps and ensures the rising agents are perfectly distributed, so your cupcakes bake light and fluffy.
Step 3: Cream Butter, Sugar, and Honey
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and honey together until the mixture is pale and fluffy. Creaming is key—it fills the batter with air, giving your cupcakes a lovely rise and that signature tender texture. Scrape down the bowl to get every bit mixed in!
Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to keep the batter smooth. The eggs help the cupcakes hold together and bake up moist and luscious. Stir in the vanilla extract for a cozy, aromatic base.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
With your mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in three parts, alternating with the milk. Start and finish with the flour mixture. Mixing this way keeps the batter smooth and prevents over-mixing, which could make the cupcakes tough instead of tender.
Step 6: Fold in the Peaches
Gently fold in the finely diced peaches with a spatula. Taking care here makes sure you won’t crush the fruit, so every cupcake boasts beautiful pockets of peach in every bite of Honey Peach Cream Cheese Cupcakes.
Step 7: Fill and Bake
Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full to give them space to rise. Pop the pan in the oven and bake for 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a rack to cool completely.
Step 8: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
While the cupcakes cool, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until ultra-smooth and creamy. Add the powdered sugar, honey, and vanilla extract, then beat until the frosting is fluffy and holds soft peaks. This frosting is seriously spoon-licking good and brings the whole Honey Peach Cream Cheese Cupcakes experience together.
Step 9: Frost and Garnish
Once the cupcakes are cool, pipe or spread the cream cheese frosting generously on top. Garnish with a thin slice of peach or a glossy drizzle of honey for extra flair (and a hint to their flavor). Now all that’s left is to admire—and devour—your homemade beauties!
How to Serve Honey Peach Cream Cheese Cupcakes
Garnishes
Give your Honey Peach Cream Cheese Cupcakes the finish they deserve! Thin slices of fresh peach tucked into the frosting look oh-so-elegant, and a swirl of honey adds shine and an appealing golden touch. You can also try a sprinkle of edible flowers or a dusting of cinnamon for something extra special.
Side Dishes
These cupcakes are ideal with a chilled glass of peach iced tea, a frosty lemonade, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for even more creamy, cool contrast. If you’re hosting brunch or a garden party, try serving them alongside a fruit salad bursting with seasonal berries and melon.
Creative Ways to Present
Showcase your Honey Peach Cream Cheese Cupcakes on a pretty cake stand or rustic wooden board for a farmhouse feel. For a summer event, arrange them in a cupcake bouquet or place them in individual jars for easy grab-and-go treats. Get creative with decorative liners or little honeycomb picks for a playful, Instagram-worthy dessert table.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftovers, store your Honey Peach Cream Cheese Cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The cream cheese frosting and peaches keep best when chilled, staying moist and fresh for up to 3 days. Just let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes before enjoying for the best texture.
Freezing
To freeze, place unfrosted cupcakes in a single layer in a freezer-safe container (you can also freeze the frosting separately). Thaw before frosting and serving. This makes it easy to have homemade cupcakes ready for last-minute celebrations or sweet cravings!
Reheating
No need to reheat these little treats since they’re best served chilled or at room temperature. If you do want to warm them slightly, pop a cupcake in the microwave for 10 seconds (without the frosting) to soften the crumb, then let cool a bit before adding the cream cheese swirl.
FAQs
Can I use canned peaches instead of fresh?
Absolutely! Just be sure to drain the canned peaches very thoroughly and dice them finely. Canned peaches bring the same juicy sweetness and pair perfectly with the honey and cream cheese flavors.
How do I prevent the peaches from sinking?
Finely dice the peaches and toss them with a teaspoon of flour before folding them into the batter. This helps the fruit stay suspended for even distribution in your Honey Peach Cream Cheese Cupcakes.
Can I make these cupcakes gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute a good 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend for the all-purpose flour. Just check that your other ingredients (like baking powder) are gluten-free as well, and bake as directed.
Why is my frosting runny?
Make sure both the butter and cream cheese are just softened and not melted, and always beat them together before adding powdered sugar. If your kitchen is warm, chill the frosting for 15 minutes before piping or spreading it onto the cupcakes.
Can I add other fruits or flavors to this recipe?
Definitely! A pinch of ground cinnamon or nutmeg works well in the batter, and you can even add chopped strawberries or raspberries for a fun twist. The signature of Honey Peach Cream Cheese Cupcakes is their peach-honey combo, but feel free to experiment with other summery fruits.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a way to savor the taste of summer, there’s nothing quite like a batch of Honey Peach Cream Cheese Cupcakes. Each one is a tender, honeyed bite of joy wrapped up with creamy frosting and a burst of real peach flavor. Whip these up for your next get-together or a quiet moment at home—you’ll be amazed at how quickly they disappear!
Print
Honey Peach Cream Cheese Cupcakes Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 cupcakes 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the delightful combination of sweet peaches and creamy frosting with these Honey Peach Cream Cheese Cupcakes. Perfect for summer gatherings or a special treat, these moist cupcakes are sure to impress.
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 3/4 cup finely diced fresh or canned peaches (drained if canned)
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Garnish:
- Thin peach slices or a drizzle of honey
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners.
- Prepare the Cupcake Batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, cream the butter, sugar, and honey until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add vanilla. Mix in the dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with flour. Gently fold in the diced peaches.
- Bake the Cupcakes: Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full. Bake for 18–20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.
- Make the Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Add powdered sugar, honey, and vanilla, and beat until fluffy. Pipe or spread onto cooled cupcakes.
- Garnish: Garnish with peach slices or a drizzle of honey if desired.
Notes
- Make sure peaches are finely chopped to prevent sinking during baking.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of cinnamon to the batter.
- These cupcakes are best enjoyed chilled or slightly cooled.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 29g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
