Rav Benzion Mutzafi was asked about the custom of eating apple dipped in honey on Rosh Hashana. Specifically for Sefardim. He was asked if Sefardim have the custom of eating the apple dipped in honey on Rosh Hashana, as the questioners grandfather had told him that they do not?

RavMutzafi responded not to eat apple dipped in honey on Rosh Hashana. Honey, he said, is symbolic of the midat hadin, the attribute of judgment, which we do not wish to trigger on Rosh Hashana. Rav Mutzafi said - your grandfather is right, Sefardim do not eat apple in honey on Rosh Hashana but we cook different fruits and vegetables with sugar and eat them like that.

As an aside, I have had several Rosh Hashana meals in Sefardi homes and they did not have apple and honey that I can remember, but did dip the challa in sugar.

Rav Mutzafi added another reason that I did not understand as it involved gematria and combining letters, and comparing honey to the shofar that sweetens the judgement...

source: Kikar