Peach Honey Cream Cheese Cupcakes With Molten Peach Jam Center

Get ready to experience a burst of summer flavor with these delightful Peach-Honey Cream Cheese Cupcakes! These aren’t your average cupcakes – we’re talking incredibly moist, subtly sweet cupcakes with a hidden molten peach jam center, topped with a luscious honey cream cheese frosting. The combination of juicy peaches, fragrant honey, and a hint of cardamom (optional) will transport your taste buds to a sunny orchard. Perfect for picnics, parties, or simply a sweet treat on a warm afternoon, these cupcakes are guaranteed to impress. This recipe uses halal-certified cream cheese to ensure inclusivity and caters to a variety of dietary preferences. Let’s dive into the ingredients you’ll need to create this masterpiece!

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 150g (1 ¼ cup) All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of our cupcakes! All-purpose flour provides the perfect structure. Be sure to measure accurately – spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife, rather than scooping directly from the bag, to avoid packing it too tightly.
• 150g (¾ cup) Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender crumb. Using granulated sugar ensures the sugar crystals dissolve properly during mixing.
• 1 tsp Baking Powder: A leavening agent that helps the cupcakes rise, creating a light and fluffy texture. Ensure your baking powder is fresh for optimal results.
• ¼ tsp Baking Soda: Another leavening agent that reacts with the acidity in the yogurt to provide extra lift.
• ¼ tsp Salt: Enhances the flavors of all the other ingredients and balances the sweetness. A pinch of salt is crucial for a well-rounded flavor profile.
• 120g (½ cup) Unsalted Butter, Softened: Provides richness, flavor, and tenderness. Make sure the butter is truly softened – it should yield easily to gentle pressure but still hold its shape.
• 60g (¼ cup) Honey: Adds a delicate floral sweetness and moisture. We’re using honey to complement the peach flavor and create a unique taste.
• 2 Large Eggs, Room Temperature: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the structure of the cupcakes. Room temperature eggs emulsify more easily, resulting in a smoother batter.
• 120g (½ cup) Plain Yogurt: Adds moisture and tanginess, creating a tender crumb. Full-fat yogurt is recommended for the best texture.
• 1 tsp Alcohol-Free Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile. Using alcohol-free vanilla ensures the recipe is suitable for all.
• 150g (5 oz) Halal-Certified Cream Cheese, Softened: The star of the frosting! Halal-certified cream cheese ensures the recipe is inclusive. Softened cream cheese is essential for a smooth and creamy frosting.
• 30g (2 tbsp) Honey for Frosting: Adds sweetness and complements the peach flavor in the frosting.
• 1 tbsp Powdered Sugar (Optional, for Smoother Frosting): Helps create a smoother, more stable frosting. If you prefer a tangier frosting, you can omit the powdered sugar.
• 100g (½ cup) Peach Jam (No Alcohol): The molten center! Choose a high-quality peach jam with a good peach flavor. Ensure it’s alcohol-free.
• 2 tbsp Unsalted Butter, Melted: Used in the glaze to create a glossy finish.
• 1 tbsp Honey for Glaze: Adds sweetness and shine to the glaze.
• 2 tbsp Sliced Toasted Almonds: Provides a delightful crunch and nutty flavor. Toasting the almonds enhances their flavor.
• ¼ tsp Ground Cardamom (Optional, for Frosting): Adds a warm, aromatic spice note to the frosting. This is a subtle addition that complements the peach and honey beautifully.

Detailed Step-by-Step Instructions for Peach-Honey Cream Cheese Cupcakes

1. Preheat & Prepare: Begin by preheating your oven to 180°C (350°F). This ensures even baking. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners. Using liners prevents sticking and makes for easy removal of the delicate cupcakes.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisking aerates the ingredients and ensures they are evenly distributed, which is crucial for a light and fluffy texture. Set this mixture aside; we’ll add it to the wet ingredients later.
3. Cream Butter & Sugar: In a separate, larger bowl, use a hand mixer (or stand mixer) to beat the softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed for approximately 2 minutes. The goal here is to create a light and fluffy mixture. This process incorporates air, which contributes to the cupcake’s tenderness.
4. Incorporate Honey & Eggs: Add the honey to the creamed butter and sugar, mixing until fully incorporated. Then, beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully blended before adding the next. Follow this by adding the vanilla extract. Adding eggs one at a time helps emulsify the mixture, preventing it from separating.
5. Add Yogurt: Gently mix in the plain yogurt until the batter is smooth. Yogurt adds moisture and a subtle tanginess to the cupcakes, complementing the peach and honey flavors.
6. Combine Wet & Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until combined. Be careful not to overmix! Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough cupcakes.
7. Fill Cupcake Liners: Spoon the batter into the prepared cupcake liners, filling each about one-third full. This leaves room for the jam filling and allows the cupcakes to rise without overflowing.
8. Add Peach Jam Filling: Drop a heaping teaspoon (approximately 10g) of peach jam into the center of each cupcake. This is where the ‘molten center’ magic happens!
9. Cover with Batter: Gently cover the jam with another teaspoon of batter, smoothing the top. Avoid disturbing the jam layer too much.
10. Bake: Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the top (away from the jam) comes out clean. The edges should be lightly golden brown.
11. Cool: Allow the cupcakes to cool in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling in the tin prevents them from breaking apart while still warm.
12. Prepare Frosting: While the cupcakes cool, prepare the cream cheese frosting. Beat the softened cream cheese, honey, powdered sugar (if using), and ground cardamom (if using) until smooth and creamy.
13. Frost Cupcakes: Pipe or spread the cream cheese frosting onto each cooled cupcake, creating a modest swirl.
14. Make Honey-Butter Glaze: In a small saucepan, combine the melted butter and honey. Warm over low heat until glossy, about 1 minute.
15. Glaze & Garnish: Drizzle the honey-butter glaze over the frosted cupcakes. Sprinkle with toasted almond slices and a pinch of cardamom (optional).

The Science Behind the Molten Peach Center

The key to these cupcakes lies in the contrasting textures and temperatures. The jam, being a liquid at room temperature, remains relatively warm during the baking process. Because of its higher sugar content, it doesn’t solidify like the surrounding cake batter. This creates a delightful burst of warm, fruity flavor when you bite into the cupcake. The small amount of batter covering the jam acts as a seal, preventing it from completely flowing out during baking, but allowing it to melt and become wonderfully gooey.

Choosing the Right Peach Jam

Not all peach jams are created equal! For the best flavor, opt for a high-quality peach jam with a vibrant, natural peach taste. Avoid jams with artificial flavors or excessive added sugars. A slightly chunky jam will provide a more interesting texture within the molten center. If you’re feeling ambitious, homemade peach jam is always a fantastic option. Ensure the jam is alcohol-free to maintain the recipe’s integrity.

Honey’s Role: Beyond Sweetness

Honey isn’t just a sweetener in this recipe; it’s a flavor enhancer and a moisture retainer. Honey’s unique composition—primarily fructose and glucose—contributes to a softer crumb and a longer shelf life for the cupcakes. The floral notes of honey beautifully complement the peach flavor, creating a harmonious taste experience. Using a good quality, local honey will further enhance the flavor profile.

Cardamom’s Subtle Spice

The addition of ground cardamom to the frosting is optional, but highly recommended. Cardamom’s warm, aromatic flavor pairs exceptionally well with both peach and honey. It adds a subtle complexity that elevates the cupcakes from delicious to truly special. Start with ¼ teaspoon and adjust to your preference.

Storing Your Peach-Honey Cupcakes

These cupcakes are best enjoyed fresh, but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 5 days. Be aware that refrigeration may slightly alter the texture of the frosting. Let the cupcakes come to room temperature before serving for optimal flavor and texture.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I use frozen peaches instead of jam?

While you can’t directly substitute frozen peaches for jam, you could make your own peach puree by cooking down frozen peaches with a little sugar and lemon juice until thickened. However, the texture won’t be the same as a good quality jam.

Can I make these cupcakes gluten-free?

Yes, you can! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Be sure to use a blend that contains xanthan gum for best results.

Can I make the frosting ahead of time?

Yes, the frosting can be made a day ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator. Just be sure to bring it to room temperature and re-beat it before using.

A Sweet Ending

These Peach-Honey Cream Cheese Cupcakes with Molten Peach Jam Center are a delightful treat that’s sure to impress. The combination of sweet peach, fragrant honey, and creamy cream cheese frosting is simply irresistible. Don’t forget to save this recipe to your Pinterest board for later! Pin it here!

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