Use Honey in Baking
Baking with honey offers a delightful way to transform ordinary baked goods into special treats. The flavors and aromas that honey adds to baked good is impressive-alone. However, you will also enjoy the added nutritional value of this natural sugar. Here, we will explore the art of using honey in baking just a bit. And, you will see just how versatile honey can be.
Most of us are familiar with eating honey in its natural form. But, using honey in recipes is nothing new – it was one of the first natural sweeteners.
Benefits of Using Honey in Baking
Of course honey is sweet but it has so much more to offer. There are several benefits of using honey in baking recipes.
- added nutrition
- enhanced flavors
- added moisture
Though the contribution of vitamins and minerals may be small – the nutritional benefits of using honey still outweigh those of refined sugars.
Honey’s natural composition of sugars, including glucose and fructose, provides a balanced sweetness that complements other ingredients in recipes.
One of honey’s most remarkable benefits is the ability to attract and maintain moisture. Baked goods with honey are more likely to be moist and delicious.
Choosing Honey
There are actually several different varieties of honey to try. Clover, Sourwood, Tupelo, Orange Blossom Honey and more – are all natural products available in some areas.
Raw honey is unfiltered and unpasteurized. It is one of nature’s finest foods that can be consumed straight from the hive by most people.
The nectar sources used by honey bees to make honey results in different flavors and even honey of various colors.
But for using honey in baking, any type works just fine. I might suggest a light colored variety as the taste is less bold and will not hide the flavor of your other ingredients.
Honey Baking Recipes
Here are some great recipes using honey in baking for you to try.
Air Fryer Honey Chicken
Enjoy the taste of fried chicken using the “baked” method with very little oil. Air Fryer chicken is crispy and delicious. Coated in a sweet and tangy honey sauce this dish lets the honey flavor shine through.
You can make it in one pan or air fry the chicken pieces and finish the entrée on the stove. Try various flavors of honey – such as orange blossom or clover to vary the taste. Even the kids will love them! Enjoy Honey Chicken in the Air Fryer.
Baked Honey Chicken Tenders
Golden baked chicken tenders made using honey and bread crumbs for a crispy coating. Using only 1-2 tablespoons of honey adds flavor and locks in moisture.
Toss chicken in the flavorful coating and add some Italian Seasoning to give them more flavor if you wish. Moist and delicious. Baked Honey Chicken Tenders work with many different side dishes.
Honey Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins
Need a healthy snack or a quick “on the go” breakfast? These blueberry& honey muffins are just the ticket.
Made using healthy ingredients like blueberries, raw honey, oatmeal and Greek yogurt, they will pick you up without weighing you down.
If you don’t have blueberries – chunks of apples work too. Stir up a batch and freeze the extras for future use. Honey Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins.
Blueberry & Honey Scones
Delight your taste buds with this easy honey scone recipe that features blueberries. The addition of honey adds moisture any baked goods.
You can use fresh blueberries or frozen – a great way to use your harvest. The combined flavors of raw honey and blueberries make this “not too sweet” treat something special.
If you want extra sweetness, drizzles with a powdered sugar glaze when cool. Honey Scones with Blueberries.
Homemade Honey Cheesecake with Berries
This Graham cracker crust cheesecake is made right in your instant pot. Full fat creamed cheese and sour cream give you a smooth texture with a bit of honey flavor.
Baking cheese cake in the instant pot is the easiest way to go. Try it – Honey Cheesecake Instant Pot Recipe.
Honey Cranberry Cookies
Enjoy the flavor of raw honey , dried cranberries and white chocolate in this easy to make healthy cookie recipe.
The addition of dried cranberries combine with the other ingredients to give your taste buds a work out. A special recipe that is simple enough for everyday – yet special enough to have for the holidays. Your family is sure to enjoy these Honey Cranberry Cookies.
Crispy Honey Bee Cookies
Imagine the excitement when you take these simple honey cookies out of the oven. Kids of all ages will be drawn to them because of the fun shapes.
They are similar in texture to sugar cookies but are made with honey instead of granulated sugar. Sprinkle with cinnamon if you want to jazz up the flavor. Easy to make and freeze for later. A light cookie taste that goes well with coffee or tea too. Make a batch of Honey Bee Cookies.
Honey Bee Cake
This honey cake recipe should definitely be near the top of your list of desserts. Sometimes cake can end up dry and tasteless.
This recipe uses Wildflower honey to add flavor and moistness to your cake batter. A wonderful choice for your after dinner desert-enjoy it plain or with the icing glaze. The fondant bees add a cute theme to your honey cake. Perfect for a bee loving party – Honey Bee Cake.
Honey Bee Cupcakes
Delight your guests with these adorable honey bee cupcakes. Moist and flavorful, they are made using real honey. A perfect surprise for any honey or bee lover. – Bee-themed Cupcakes with honey.
Peanut Butter Honey Cookies
Yummy peanut butter cookies made with honey and whole wheat flour. Cookies made with peanut butter are a sure crowd pleaser and nothing goes better with a cup of coffee. But, sometimes they can seem a bit greasy.
This recipe provides more nutritional value than a basic peanut butter cookie due to the special flower and added honey. Homemade Peanut Butter Honey Cookies are a healthier option.
Honey Sweetened Pumpkin Pie
I must confess that pumpkin has never been my favorite pie. However, this recipe went a long way towards changing my mind.
Made with canned pumpkin, this honey sweetened pumpkin pie recipe is a perfect desert for any occasion. It is so easy to make that even the most inexperienced baker can have success. Honey Sweetened Pumpkin Pie.
Baked Honey Mustard Pork Chops
Pork chops can be prepared in so many ways – they are a nice change from beef or chicken. However, sometimes they do end up being tough.
Now you can experience baked pork chops that are moist and delicious every time. Pork chops cooked in the oven with this honey mustard sauce will be juicy and delicious. Honey Mustard Pork Chops.
Tips for Baking Success with Honey
Remember that honey is still sugar. Sweet and delicious-but it does have calories so lets keep everything in moderation.
When substituting honey in your recipe remember also that it is a liquid. Therefore, when adding a cup of honey it is a good idea to reduce other liquid ingredients by about 1/4 cup. This helps keep the balance between wet ingredients and dry.
Keep a Jar in Your Kitchen Pantry
Good food is not cheap but honey is a wise investment and everyone should have a jar on hand. In addition, to eating a spoonful every now and then, honey is used for many things.
Best of all, when stored properly – honey never goes bad. This means you don’t have to worry about throwing it out. Your food investment is safe.
FAQs
Yes, honey is a great companion to baking. It attracts moisture and helps prevent cookies and cakes from becoming too dry.
Raw honey does lose some of its nutritional benefits when heated. The color, texture and flavor may change but honey used in recipes for cooking does not become toxic.
Most recipes suggest that you use 3/4 cup of honey for every 1 cup of sugar. This is based on the thought that honey is sweeter – therefore you need less. In my recipes, I often use the same amount.
Yes you can use honey as a substitution for brown sugar. Just remember to reduce the other liquid ingredients a bit. The honey is adding liquids to the mixture.
Final Thoughts
Don’t be afraid to give baking with honey a try. Start with a simple recipe and experiment with different honey flavors. In most cases, you should not experience a sharp honey flavor (unless you choose one of the dark bold varieties). Rather, the honey should blend and complement the other ingredients in the recipe.