Hello, honey friends! Today, I want to share how I use honey when I bake Filipino favorites. Whether I’m making ensaymada, mamon, or even simple bread rolls, a spoonful of honey can make everything taste extra special!
1. Honey Instead of Sugar
Whenever I follow a baking recipe that calls for sugar, I try swapping in honey. Because honey is naturally sweet, I often use a bit less honey than the recipe’s amount of sugar. This is great for ensaymada dough. The honey helps the bread stay soft and moist even after baking.
2. A Honey Glaze for My Breads
Once my bread is done and still warm, I brush a little honey on top. This makes the bread shiny and adds a gentle sweetness. Sometimes, I sprinkle a bit of cheese on top of my honey-glazed ensaymada for a sweet-and-salty surprise.
3. Honey as a Flavor Boost
For mamon or other fluffy cakes, I like adding a tablespoon of honey in the batter. Not only does it sweeten the cake, but it also gives a light, floral taste. Sometimes my family says, “Wow, this cake has a special flavor!” That’s my secret—honey!
4. Tips and Tricks
- Lower the Heat: Honey can burn faster than regular sugar. If your recipe bakes at a high temperature, try lowering it by a few degrees to keep your treats golden, not burnt.
- Taste as You Go: Honey varies in sweetness. One jar might be stronger than another. So, taste your batter if you can (safely), and adjust the honey or other sweeteners if needed.
5. Why I Love It
Baking with honey feels healthier and more natural to me. It also helps me support local beekeepers here in the Philippines. I love knowing the sweet flavor in my bread comes straight from the hard work of our buzzing bee friends.
That’s it for Day 20! Thank you for joining me on this sweet baking adventure. Tomorrow, we’ll explore more ways honey brings joy to our lives. Until then, happy baking!
P.S. Have you tried baking with honey? I’d love to know your favorite recipe!
Leave a Reply