Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven is warming up, line a muffin tin with cupcake liners. This will make removing the cupcakes a breeze once they’re done baking.

Step 2: Prepare the Dry Ingredients

In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This step ensures that the leavening agents are evenly distributed throughout the batter, leading to an even rise in the cupcakes.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a separate large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This step is crucial for incorporating air into the batter, giving your cupcakes a light and airy texture. You’ll know the mixture is ready when it becomes pale in color and the sugar is fully incorporated.

Step 4: Add the Eggs and Vanilla

Next, add the eggs to the butter-sugar mixture one at a time, beating well after each addition. This ensures that the eggs are evenly distributed throughout the batter, contributing to its structure. Stir in the vanilla extract, which will give your cupcakes a delightful aroma and flavor.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Now it’s time to bring everything together. Alternately add the dry flour mixture and the buttermilk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the flour. This technique ensures that the batter stays light and doesn’t become overworked. Mix until just combined—overmixing at this stage could lead to dense cupcakes, which we definitely want to avoid.

Step 6: Fill the Cupcake Liners

Spoon the batter into your prepared cupcake liners, filling each one about halfway. Then, add a spoonful of peach preserves to the center of each liner. The peach preserves will melt slightly as the cupcakes bake, infusing the batter with a burst of fruity goodness. Finally, top with more batter, filling the liners until they are about three-quarters full.

Step 7: Bake the Cupcakes

Place the muffin tin in your preheated oven and bake the cupcakes for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Keep a close eye on them as baking times may vary depending on your oven. Once done, remove the cupcakes from the oven and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack.

Step 8: Prepare the Frosting

While the cupcakes cool, it’s time to make the cream cheese frosting. In a small bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with powdered sugar and milk until the mixture is smooth and creamy. The tangy cream cheese will perfectly balance the sweetness of the peach preserves and honey.

Step 9: Frost and Garnish

Once the cupcakes have cooled, generously frost them with the cream cheese mixture. Then, top each cupcake with diced fresh peaches for a burst of color and extra peach flavor. For a finishing touch, drizzle a little honey over the top of each cupcake and sprinkle with sugar crystals. The honey adds a natural sweetness that complements the peaches, while the sugar crystals provide a lovely sparkle and crunch.