Bee-Themed Cupcakes

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Bee-themed cupcakes can be miraculous works of art. But, if you dream of beautiful culinary delights – yet are lacking a bit on creativity (or a steady hand) never fear. These moist and flavorful honey bee cupcakes are made with real honey and so easy to make. Create a buzz by add some cute decorations or enjoy them plain for fewer calories. This guide makes it simple to bake and decorate bee cupcakes with confidence.

Honey bee cupcakes decorated with bee designs on a red plate.

I love cute baked goods but I am not an artist in the kitchen. As a beekeeper, I enjoy using honey in baking and other recipes. Using honey in recipes for baked goods help them stay moist and delicious.

How to Make Honey Bee Cupcakes

Homemade baked goods give you the chance to use natural ingredients like honey and avoid many preservatives found in packaged mixes.

This honey bee cupcake recipe is easy to follow, even for beginner bakers. With simple ingredients and clear instructions, you’ll have a batch of deliciously moist cupcakes in no time.

Labeled ingredients needed to bake and decorate bee cupcakes with honey .

Needed Ingredients

In most cases, you will need the basics cupcake recipe and then some type of icing or decoration. You likely already have most of the things you need in your kitchen (all-purpose flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, baking soda, milk, vanilla flavoring, butter and eggs).

In addition you need:

  • honey
  • canola oil
  • muffin liners (optional)
  • decorations

Cupcake Base

Honey

A quick bit of advice about honey for this recipe. The type or variety of honey is chosen is not critical – basic wildflower works just fine. I do always recommend raw honey over pasteurized or blends – but that is your choice.

Every kitchen should have a jar of honey. If you store honey correctly it lasts virtually forever. Don’t throw it out if it becomes solid – you can fix crystallized honey!

Canola Oil

This recipe calls for canola oil. However, you can substitute vegetable oil or even coconut oil instead if you wish.

Icing Options

Icing is optional, but your bee-themed cupcakes will look more bee-ish if you have some type of yellow icing. You can make some homemade buttercream icing-it is delicious and you can make it stiff to pile up very high in a pretty shape.

I chose to go with the pre-made icing option instead. Again, I am not a master chef and I wanted something quick and easy. My goal was to use less icing – less sugar.

Labeled steps of the process to mix batter and bake bee themed cupcakes.

Make the Honey Cupcakes

Making cupcakes – even those with a honey theme is as easy as 1 -2 -3 -4.

1. As the oven preheats to 350°F – line your muffin pan with the liners of your choice. I chose some gold ones because I am going for a bee-themed cupcake. But, you can use whatever you wish including some of the really pretty bee prints.

2. Follow recipe directions (below) for mixing dry and wet ingredients and then combining them. You can use a hand mixer, stand mixer or a spoon. Mix well but do not over beat the batter.

3. Fill muffin tins about 3/4 full, bake in the oven for 19-20 minutes. Test for doneness – I had to a dd an additional 5 minutes to this batch. Oven time varies.

4. After baking, let your bee cupcakes cool completely before adding any icing. Mine have a noticeable muffin top (let’s not talk too much about it) but I do like the crusty brown tops. If you want less overflow – do not fill your muffin cups with as much batter (perhaps only 1/2 full).

Six homemade cupcakes with bee decorations in a glass storage bowl,

Bee-Themed Decoration Ideas (No Piping Skills Needed!)

Now, you have some delicious honey cupcakes. How you choose to give them a bee-theme is up to you. Perhaps, you will pile the icing up high to resemble a domed beehive and stick candy bees along the edge.

I chose to use a light coat of icing on some and even less icing on others (for folks who prefer less sugar). You do not need an over abundance of icing – it adds calories – no matter how cute.

Last of all, the cute bee decorations on top add a touch of whimsy making them perfect for a bee-themed party. You could make bees from fondant-as I did for my honey bee cake.

However, cupcakes are smaller and it is more difficult to shape tiny bees You are likely better off buying ready to use decorations.

Recipe Variations

If you are looking for ways to customize this honey bee cupcake recipe, here are few ideas for variations and substitutions.

  • Add spices to the batter: A bit of (Cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger – all work well with the honey flavor).
  • Different frosting: Instead of prepared frosting or buttercream – consider using cream cheese frosting or vanilla.
  • Add mix-ins: Adding some of these items gives the honey cupcakes more texture (chopped nuts, dried fruit, or chocolate chips).

Just use your imagination and knowledge of what you or your family likes.  These recipe variations will make this delicious treat into your own creation.

Expert Tips

  • using honey in recipes for baked goods promotes browning – do not over bake your cupcakes
  • test for doneness – insert a toothpick into middle of a cupcake- it should come out clean
  • you can use this recipe to make mini-cupcakes but will likely have to reduce the cooking time

Don’t worry if your cupcakes do not look perfect – homemade baked goods have their own special beauty. Even if you’re not throwing a party, these cupcakes are still a fun and delicious treat to enjoy any time.

Storage

Your cupcakes can last for up to three days at room temperature in an airtight container. If you need them to last longer, you can store them in the fridge for up to a week or freeze them for up to three months. For long term storage, you may want to wait to add icing when you are ready to use them.

More Ideas

If you want to add more selections to your bee themed goodies, honey bee cake pops are always a hit with the kids.

If you need some high energy snacks made with honey, these honey, peanut butter and oatmeal balls are a favorite. They are easy to travel with and freeze well too.

Now you have all you need for the perfect bee-themed party or just as a sweet indulgence for any occasion.

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Honey cupcakes decorated with bee themed designs on a red plate.

Honey Bee Cupcakes Recipe

Charlotte Anderson @ Carolina Honeybees, LLC
Get ready to enjoy these irresistible Honey Cupcakes! Made with rich, golden honey right in the recipe, these cupcakes are bursting with flavor and moistness. And for an extra special touch, top them off with adorable sugar bees for a buzz-worthy presentation!
5 from 4 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Cool and icing 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 191 kcal

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Read my disclosure.

Equipment

  • Muffin Pan
  • Stand Mixer (or hand mixer)

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 3/4 stick butter (6 tablespoons)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs (room temperature)
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup canola oil

Frosting & Decoration (Optional)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350° F with a rack in the middle position. Line a 12-count muffin pan with paper liners with a honey or bee theme.
  • In medium bowl, mix together the dry ingredients for the basic recipe. Flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt .
  • In another bowl, mix together the softened butter and sugar. Cream well with a mixer. Beat in the eggs one at a time – be sure to scrape down any batter that accumulates on the sides of the bowl.
  • Add the honey, oil and vanilla to the batter. Mix thoroughly.
  • Slowly add the flour mixture to the batter bowl. Approximately one cup at a time until blended well but do not over-beat the batter. Add the milk and stir to combine.
  • Fill muffin liners about 3/4 full and place in preheated oven.
  • Bake at 350°F for 19-20 minutes. The edges should be brown. Insert a toothpick in the center. If it comes out clean, they are done.
  • Remove pan from oven and let cool 10 minutes. Then remove muffins from pan to finish cooling.

Frosting – Prepared

  • You have a few options for frosting decoration. Either cover the entire top of your honey cupcakes with the prepared frosting or make small designs with it. You can add the candy bee decorations if you want.

Notes

** Honey cupcakes are not light and fluffy – they have more of a muffin-like texture.
**I choose to not use homemade icing and only use the smallest amount of any icing.  Do what you like.
**Check with toothpick or knife to test doneness when baking time is up.  Inserted into the middle of the cupcake, it will come out clean when they are ready.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 191kcalCarbohydrates: 56gProtein: 3gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 29mgSodium: 132mgPotassium: 60mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 21gVitamin A: 56IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 1mg
Keyword baking with honey
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