The holidays are in full swing, and it’s time to prepare for holiday baking. Whether gifting or receiving, cookies are a holiday favorite treat that has stood the test of time. From their customizability to their portable size and shape, there is a reason why cookies have remained popular for centuries! This week we are here to share some of our favorite festive cookie recipes that are taken to the next level with the simple addition of honey.
So why should you consider adding honey to your favorite cookie recipe (which may have been handed down in your family for generations)? Because honey does so much more than just add the perfect touch of sweetness (fun fact: honey is slightly sweeter than sugar, so you can actually use less to achieve the same sweetness intensity); as a humectant, honey naturally draws in and retains moisture to ensure that your cookies come out of the oven with the perfect mouthfeel and crumble. This humectant quality has also been proven to help extend the shelf life of your baked goods, including your cookies (that is if you can keep your hands out of the cookie jar).
Nervous about making the switch to baking with honey? Don’t fret – these honey hacks will help you become a baking-with-honey master!
- When you substitute honey for granulated sweetener in recipes, begin by substituting honey for up to 1/2 of the sugar called for in the recipe.
- When substituting honey for sugar in baked goods:
- Reduce the liquid in the recipe by 1/4 cup for each cup of honey used.
- Add about 1/2 teaspoon baking soda for each cup of honey used.
- Reduce oven temperature by 25 degrees to prevent over-browning.
- For easy measuring and clean-up, coat measuring cup or spoon with cooking spray before adding honey.
- A 12-ounce jar of honey equals a standard measuring cup.
Not ready to convert your own recipes just yet? That’s fine; we’ve also got six cookie recipes below that are already designed around honey. Any one of these recipes will make you a believer, and be sure to make some space in your recipe box because these cookies are sure to become your family’s favorite!
We want to hear from you. Do you have a favorite honey-inspired cookie recipe? Tell us all about it in the comments!
