Description
Delight your taste buds with these indulgent Honey Pistachio Cupcakes topped with a tangy cream cheese frosting. Made with real pistachios, honey, and almond extract, these light and fluffy cupcakes offer a perfect balance of sweetness and earthiness. Ideal for celebrations or as a sweet treat, they’ll be a hit with everyone.
Ingredients
- Cupcakes:
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 large eggs, separated
- 1 ½ cups cake flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup shelled unsalted pistachios, ground
- ½ cup half and half
- 2 tbsp sour cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp almond extract
- Green food coloring (optional)
- Honey Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp honey
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin pan with cupcake liners.
- Prepare Pistachios: Grind shelled pistachios into fine crumbs using a food processor.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Sift together the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add the ground pistachios and set aside.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk half and half, vanilla extract, and almond extract.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add honey and mix until combined.
- Add Egg Yolks: Add egg yolks one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Alternately mix in the dry and wet ingredients, starting and ending with the dry.
- Incorporate Sour Cream: Gently fold in the sour cream.
- Whip Egg Whites: Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold them into the batter gently.
- Add Food Coloring (Optional): Add a drop of green food coloring for a pistachio hue.
- Bake: Divide the batter evenly among liners. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool.
- Prepare Frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add honey and powdered sugar, mixing until creamy. Add salt to taste.
- Frost and Garnish: Frost cooled cupcakes and sprinkle with chopped pistachios if desired.
Notes
- For a vibrant color, add a touch more green food coloring.
- Substitute mascarpone for cream cheese if you prefer a lighter frosting.
- Garnish with whole pistachios for a decorative touch.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 18-20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
