Honey powder is simply liquid honey that has been dehydrated into a powdered form. The moisture content is reduced to less than 2%, allowing it to become a fine, free-flowing powder. It typically has a white appearance similar to a confectioner's sugar.
Uses for Honey Powder in Baking
One of the most popular uses for honey powder is in baked goods. Since it dissolves evenly, honey powder integrates seamlessly to lightly sweeten and add moisture. Here are some of the best ways to use it for baking:
1. Cakes, Cupcakes and Muffins
Honey powder is an ideal replacement for granulated white sugar in cake, cupcakes, and muffin batters. It adds moisture to prevent dryness and a delicate honey flavor. Replace up to 1/2 of the sugar called for in the recipe with an equal amount of honey powder.
Be sure to reduce the oven temperature by 25°F to prevent over-browning since honey powder caramelizes faster than white sugar. The muffins and cakes made with honey powder will stay fresher longer thanks to their natural humectant properties.
2. Cookies
Both chewy and crisp cookies benefit from the subtle floral sweetness of honey powder. It can replace up to 1/3 of the granulated sugar in cookie recipes. The honey powder works especially well in recipes with warm spices like gingerbread cookies, lemon-honey thumbprints, or cardamom shortbread.
As with cakes and muffins, lower the oven temperature slightly when baking cookies made with honey powder. Expect the cookies to retain moisture and softness longer when stored in an airtight container.
3. Quick Bread and Muffins
Banana bread, zucchini bread, pumpkin bread, and all kinds of muffins are a perfect place to use honey powder. The honey provides enough sweetness to limit the amount of added sugar. Since these baked goods already contain moisture from fruits and vegetables, the humectant effects of honey powder help them stay ultra moist and soft.
4. Yeast Bread and Rolls
The small amounts of nutrients in honey powder can provide food for the yeast in bread doughs. You can replace up to 1/4 of the sugar called for in bread recipes with honey powder. It adds sweetness along with a lovely honey aroma.
Brioche, sandwich bread, cinnamon rolls, and other yeasted treats turn out beautifully with honey powder substituted for a portion of the usual granulated sugar. The dough will rise well, and the final products will have a perfect crumb with extended freshness.
5. Pie Crusts and Fillings
Both sweet and savory pie crusts can be enhanced with a bit of honey powder. It adds flavor and helps control browning on the bottom crust. For the flakiest texture, limit honey powder to 1-2 tablespoons per pie crust recipe.
Honey powder also shines in sweet pie fillings. It provides the sweetness needed in fruit pie fillings so less sugar is required. Add 2-3 tablespoons per filling recipe and reduce another sweetener by an equal amount.
Uses for Honey Powder Outside of Baking
Aside from baking, honey powder has many savory applications and can be used as an all-purpose sweetener. Get creative with these possibilities:
1. Smoothies and Drinks
The mild honey taste and fine texture make honey powder a perfect addition to smoothies. Add 1 teaspoon per serving when blending up your favorite fruits and veggies for a touch of sweetness.
For hot drinks like coffee and tea, honey powder dissolves easily to lightly sweeten without sliminess. Keep a shaker of honey powder on hand for stirring into iced tea, lemonade, or cocktail mixes too.
2. Yogurt, Oatmeal and Cereal
Plain yogurt becomes a treat when you stir in a bit of honey powder. The coarse texture and honey burst make a perfect pairing. Mix it into your overnight oats or bowl of cold cereal too.
For hot cereals like oatmeal or cream of wheat, honey powder conveniently dissolves into the cooked cereal without needing to microwave sticky honey. Add it to taste for sweetness and a subtle honey note.
3. Salad Dressings and Marinades
Think beyond sugary salad dressings! The honey powder can be whisked into vinaigrettes and creamy dressings for balanced sweetness. Or use it in marinades to lightly glaze meats or vegetables before grilling.
The nuanced honey flavor comes through beautifully in marinades and dressings. Simply replace 1-2 tablespoons of traditional sweetener with honey powder.
4. Spice Rubs and BBQ Sauces
Sweet and savory spice blends can benefit from a bit of honey powder too. It brings out smoky flavors when rubbed on meats before smoking or grilling. Or add honey powder to your favorite BBQ sauce recipe for balanced sweetness.
5. Snack Mixes and Popcorn
Homemade snack mixes with nuts, pretzels, and crackers get a flavor upgrade thanks to honey powder. Lightly coat the snack mix with vegetable oil, then sprinkle on 1-2 teaspoons of honey powder per cup of mix and bake until crisp.
Honey powder also makes popcorn extra special. Drizzle popped corn with melted butter, then toss with a dash of honey powder. The honey dissolves onto the popcorn for sweetness in every bite.
6. Energy and Granola Bars
Store-bought energy bars often contain artificial or highly processed sweeteners. For a natural, wholesome homemade version, use honey powder in your granola bar recipes. It provides just enough sweetness and holds the bars together.
Tips for Using Honey Powder
Keep these tips in mind to use honey powder successfully:
- Start with a small amount, 1-2 teaspoons, then increase to taste. A little honey powder goes a long way.
- Reduce liquids slightly in recipes to account for the moisture in reconstituted honey powder.
- Lower oven temperature by 25°F when baking to prevent over-browning.
- Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Shelf life is 2-3 years.
- Mixing with a dry ingredient like sugar or flour can prevent clumping.
- Add to batters at the end of mixing to evenly distribute.
- Rehydrate by mixing 1 part honey powder with 1/4 part water.
- Avoid getting honey powder wet when measuring to prevent stickiness.
How to Make Your Own Honey Powder
You can easily make your own honey powder at home with just your oven or a food dehydrator. Here is a simple process:
In the oven:
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread liquid honey in a very thin layer, about 1/8 inch thick.
- Bake at the lowest oven temperature, ideally around 140°F. Higher temperatures cause puffing.
- Dehydrate for 6-12 hours, checking occasionally, until completely dry and brittle.
- Remove from oven and let cool completely. Process in a food processor or blender into a fine powder.
In a food dehydrator:
- Prepare honey in a thin layer on dehydrator trays lined with parchment paper.
- Dehydrate at 130-140°F for 6-12 hours until honey is completely dried out.
- Let cool then process into a powder using a blender or food processor.
- Store the homemade honey powder in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.
No matter which method you use, be sure to keep the temperature low to avoid burning the honey. Patience is key for making evenly dried, high-quality honey powder.
FAQ
Is honey powder as healthy as regular honey?
Unfortunately, many of the antioxidants, enzymes, and nutrients in raw honey are lost through the dehydration process. However, honey powder retains some benefits compared to refined white sugar. It is less processed, has a lower glycemic index, and provides small amounts of minerals.
Does honey powder taste the same as liquid honey?
The flavor of honey powder is milder and more subtle than liquid honey. You may barely notice the honey taste depending on the recipe. It provides natural sweetness with just a hint of floral honey in the background.
How long does honey powder last?
Properly stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place, honey powder lasts 2-3 years. Exposure to humidity causes honey powder to become sticky as it absorbs moisture from the air.
Is honey powder cheaper than liquid honey?
Since it is highly concentrated, you use much less honey powder compared to liquid honey. A little powder goes a long way. Honey powder is around the same price per ounce as liquid, but you end up using less, making it more economical.
Can you replace liquid honey with honey powder?
In most recipes, you can substitute 1 teaspoon of honey powder for 1 tablespoon of liquid honey. For rehydrating, mix 1 part powdered honey with 1/4 part water. The flavor will be milder than regular honey.
Conclusion
Honey powder offers convenience along with a delicate honey taste. With its extended shelf life, ease of use, and versatility, honey powder is handy to keep stocked in your pantry.