Top 10 honey dessert recipes
Celebrate bees on World Honey Bee Day by enjoying 10 of our best desserts made with honey, from cakes and flapjacks, to pastries
World Honey Bee Day is an awareness day on which honey bee enthusiasts, beekeeping associations and clubs and beekeepers celebrate the honey bee. It's a day to recognise the honey bee's contribution to our everyday lives, and explore the steps we can take to protect this vital species. On World Honey Bee Day, we also pay homage to beekeepers – after all, their efforts ensure that there are healthy, well-managed bees to pollinate crops.
Honey has many health benefits, particularly darker varieties. It's a rich source of flavonoids, which have been reported to have antibacterial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergenic properties. Find out more on the health benefits of honey by reading is honey good for you? and the top 10 health benefits of manuka honey.
Is there a better way to celebrate bees for the occasion than by making a delicious dessert using their prized honey? We've gathered our top 10 honey desserts in homage – from crumbly flapjacks, to sweet and sticky cakes and tarts, there's something everyone can appreciate.
1. Banana date cake with walnut & honey glaze
Sticky and sweet, this bundt-shaped banana bread with buttery glaze and cinnamon is a show-stopping bake. Save time by baking and freezing it ahead of your gathering, then defrosting and decorating it with the honey topping on the day.
2. Honey-orange poached plums
This simple pudding is light and seasonal – plums are flavoured with orange blossom water and sweet honey, then served with crunchy biscuits. It's an easy dessert that can be on your table in 25 minutes, and is suitable even for those who are gluten-intolerant.
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3. Raspberry honey flapjacks
Make these easy raspberry honey flapjacks using just five ingredients. Serve with a cuppa for a perfect mid-morning pick-me-up, or freeze for a later date.
4. Honeyed orange & grapefruit
Serve this healthier dessert on a hot summer's day when you can't face hours spent in the kitchen. It also goes perfectly with pastries or a classic crêpe.
5. Salted honey fudge & chocolate tart
This delightful dessert combines the rich flavours of cocoa, honey and a hint of sea salt for a moreish slice that balances salty and sweet notes. It serves up to 10, so it's ideal for a crowd.
6. Pine nut & honey tart
This special pine nut and honey tart is studded with raisins for an extra touch of sweetness. Soak them in orange juice, or use rum for a grown-up dessert.
7. Honey yogurt cheesecake
Bring a touch of Mediterranean magic to your table with this no-fuss bake that can be made ahead. It pairs the velvety richness of mascarpone with creamy Greek yogurt, which is infused with sweet golden honey and citrus notes.
8. Honey & vanilla madeleines
These honey & vanilla madeleines can be on your table in just 30 minutes. Serve them alongside a bowl of summer berries for the perfect summer pudding.
9. Devonshire honey cake
This five-ingredient Devonshire honey cake is great for entertaining a crowd, as it cuts into 12 slices and can be prepared in an hour and a half before serving.
10. Almond & honey pastries with orange cream
Serve these puds with coffee, dessert wine or fresh mint tea for a real after-dinner treat. They're a little fiddly to make, but your guests will love the extra effort you've shown. Plus, you can freeze the desserts before cooking, so some of the prep work will be done in advance.
Enjoy this? Check out more:
Sugar substitutes – honey explained
15 best ever flapjack recipes
How to make porridge
10 foods to support your seasonal allergies
How to marinate chicken
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