Honey has been praised for a long time for being naturally sweet, useful, and good for you. Most people know that honey can be used to drizzle on toast or mixed into tea, but it’s also great to use in baking. Not only does baking with honey make your baked goods taste better, it can also make them a better texture and be a natural, healthier choice to refined sugar. Here are some ways to use honey in every step of your making process to make your treats taste better.
1. Honey as a Sweetener
The most obvious use of honey in baking is as a sweetener. When substituting honey for sugar, keep in mind that honey is sweeter than sugar, so you’ll need less of it. For every cup of sugar, you can typically use ¾ cup of honey. That being said, you should cut the recipe’s liquid content by about 1/4 cup to keep the right consistency.
Honey is a humectant, which means it helps baked goods keep their wetness. This is especially helpful when baking cakes, muffins, and bread, as it keeps them moist for longer periods. The natural sugars in honey also promote better browning, so expect your baked goods to have a beautiful golden hue when baked with honey.
2. Honey in Breads and Rolls
Baking with honey is particularly beneficial when making breads and rolls. Not only does it add natural sweetness, but it also enhances the dough’s rise by interacting with the yeast. Honey contains small amounts of fructose, which helps yeast grow more effectively, giving your bread a fluffier texture.
Try substituting honey for some or all of the sugar in your bread recipe. This works particularly well in whole grain or oat-based recipes, where the honey complements the earthy flavors of the grains. Whether you’re making sandwich bread or cinnamon rolls, honey will elevate the flavor and texture, leaving your bread softer and slightly sweeter.
3. Honey in Cakes and Cupcakes
If you’re looking for a rich, moist cake, baking with honey is the way to go. Honey contributes to a tender crumb and adds a natural complexity to flavors, making it perfect for cakes and cupcakes. It goes well with warm spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger, making the food taste cozy and comfortable.
For cakes, replace half of the sugar with honey. Keep in mind that honey’s strong flavor can be more pronounced in delicate cakes, so start by replacing just a portion and adjusting according to your taste. In addition, since honey can make your cake a little denser, consider reducing the amount of flour slightly to compensate for the additional moisture.
4. Honey in Cookies and Biscuits
Honey can easily replace sugar in most cookie and biscuit recipes. It adds a rich sweetness without being overly sugary, and because it retains moisture, it helps create chewy, soft cookies. If you’re baking with honey, be mindful of the consistency of your dough—it may be slightly wetter than when using sugar, so you may need to adjust the dry ingredients.
In addition to its sweetening power, honey can enhance the flavor of your cookies. Try pairing honey with ingredients like oats, chocolate chips, or nuts to create cookies with a deeper, more complex flavor profile. Honey is also great for adding a touch of flavor to plain shortbread cookies, enhancing their buttery taste.
5. Honey in Frosting and Glazes
Honey isn’t just for the dough—it can be used in your frostings and glazes as well. When making frosting for cakes or cupcakes, honey can replace part of the powdered sugar, adding smoothness and a lovely, natural sweetness. It works particularly well in cream cheese or buttercream frostings, where the honey complements the richness of the butter and the tang of the cream cheese.
For glazes, honey is perfect for adding a glossy, golden finish. Whether you’re glazing a loaf of pound cake or drizzling a glaze over fresh fruit tarts, honey provides a luxurious sheen while enhancing the flavor of your desserts.
6. Honey in Pastries
Incorporating honey into pastry doughs adds depth of flavor and contributes to a golden, flaky finish. When making croissants, danishes, or puff pastries, replace a portion of the sugar with honey. The natural sugars in honey help with caramelization, giving your pastries a perfectly crisp exterior and a soft, tender interior.
Additionally, honey can be used in fillings, such as in fruit tarts or hand pies. Its sweetness complements the tartness of fruits like apples, berries, and citrus, adding a touch of richness without overwhelming the flavors.
7. Honey as a Drizzle or Topping
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to incorporate honey into your baked goods, consider using it as a drizzle or topping. After baking, drizzle honey over cakes, muffins, or scones to add a touch of sweetness. Honey pairs beautifully with yogurt, so consider serving honey-drizzled pastries alongside a dollop of yogurt for a delicious breakfast or snack.
Honey Harvest Reflections
Adding honey to your baking is a great way to make your baked goods taste better, feel better, and stay fresh. Honey can be used in every step of the baking process, from making cakes sweeter to making bread dough better. You can make treats that are both tasty and better for you than traditional sugary desserts by trying out different kinds of honey and making changes to your recipes as needed. The next time you’re making, grab some honey and let it make it taste better!