America’s Favorite Honey Recipes Cookbook

Make it delicious and make a difference.

When you cook with Sue Bee® honey, you’re not only getting a consistently delicious taste and pure honey, you’re helping to support the U.S.A. honeybee and the important role it plays in American agriculture. Sue Bee® honey is a product of the U.S.A. – made by American honeybees. These same bees are responsible for pollinating more than 30% of the fruits and vegetables you see in your local grocery store. There has never been a more critical time to support the U.S.A. honeybee. Currently, colony collapse disorder (CCS) is a serious problem threatening the health of honeybees and the economic stability of commercial beekeeping. If losses continue, increased costs would eventually be passed on to consumers through higher food costs. So, ultimately, when you buy honey produced in America, you are supporting U.S. agriculture.

When you see the Support The U.S.A. Honey Bee seal, please be reminded of the benefits of buying American honey. More information about this initiative can be found on our We Support the U.S.A. Honey Bee page.

Please enjoy the delicious recipes found in the cookbook below by downloading and printing a copy for yourself. You can be confident in the great taste of Sue Bee® honey and be proud of the difference you are making by supporting the U.S.A honeybee.

Click to download!

Pumpkin Carving Stencils

Carve Up a Sue Bee®-Inspired Masterpiece!

It wouldn’t be Halloween without pumpkin carving! Get creative and show off your skills using one of our honey-inspired stencils! Choose between a honeybee, honeycomb or a beehive. And don’t forget to share your finished work with us on Facebook or Twitter!

Sue Bee® Honey Pumpkin Seed Recipes

Pumpkins and fall go together like peanut butter and jelly. Besides decorating and adding spice to your favorite $4 latte, pumpkins are traditionally carved in creative ways to help celebrate Halloween. When you cut your pumpkins open, though, there’s always the question of what to do with all the guts inside. Our suggestion? Save the seeds and use them to make one of these delicious recipes for honey roasted pumpkin seeds that use Sue Bee® honey as the main ingredient!

Sue Bee® Honey Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Classic honey roasted flavors in a crunchy bite! A bowl of these crunchy treats won’t last long at any gathering so double up if you can.

Sue Bee® Honey Roasted Cinnamon Pumpkin Seeds
Cinnamon is a classic fall flavor and when combined with honey and pumpkin seeds it creates a tasty flavor profile that will keep you reaching for seconds!

Sue Bee® Honey Roasted Sriracha Pumpkin Seeds
Add a little kick to your pumpkin seeds with the big, bold flavor of Sriracha chili sauce! The honey helps to balance out the spice to create a delicious treat.

What are your favorite flavors to use when roasting pumpkin seeds? Share your ideas with us on Facebook or Twitter!

Aunt Sue’s® Honey Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup Aunt Sue’s® Honey
• 3 cups fresh pumpkin seeds, cleaned
• 1 1/2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 teaspoons brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked salt
• Kosher salt for sprinkling

Directions

• Preheat oven to 300 F.
• Spread out seeds on parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 20-30 minutes or until slightly crunchy.
• In a large mixing bowl, mix Aunt Sue’s® honey, butter, brown sugar and smoked salt until well-combined.
• Add hot pumpkin seeds to mixing bowl and mix well until all of the seeds are thoroughly coated.
• Return the seeds to the baking sheet and spread in a single layer.
• Bake for 5-10 minutes until sauce begins to caramelize on the seeds.
• Remove seeds from oven and lightly sprinkle with kosher salt to taste; stir and let cool on the pan.
• Store in an airtight container for up to a week.

Sue Bee® Honey Roasted Sriracha Pumpkin Seeds

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup Sue Bee® Honey
• 3 cups fresh pumpkin seeds, cleaned
• 2 tablespoons sriracha
• 1/2 teaspoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon ginger powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

• Preheat oven to 300 F.
• Spread out seeds on parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 20-30 minutes or until slightly crunchy.
• In a large mixing bowl, mix Sue Bee® honey, sriracha, olive oil, smoked paprika, ginger powder and salt until well-combined.
• Add hot pumpkin seeds to mixing bowl and mix well until all of the seeds are thoroughly coated.
• Return the seeds to the baking sheet and spread in a single layer.
• Bake for 5-10 minutes until sauce begins to caramelize on the seeds.
• Remove seeds from oven; stir and let cool on the pan.
• Store in an airtight container for up to a week.

Sue Bee® Honey Roasted Cinnamon Pumpkin Seeds

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup Sue Bee® Honey
• 3 cups fresh pumpkin seeds, cleaned
• 2 tablespoons cinnamon
• Kosher salt for sprinkling

Directions

• Preheat oven to 300 F.
• Spread out seeds on parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 20-30 minutes or until slightly crunchy.
• In a large mixing bowl, mix Sue Bee® honey and cinnamon until well-combined.
• Add hot pumpkin seeds to mixing bowl and mix well until all of the seeds are thoroughly coated.
• Return the seeds to the baking sheet and spread in a single layer.
• Bake for 5-10 minutes until sauce begins to caramelize on the seeds.
• Remove seeds from oven and lightly sprinkle with kosher salt to taste; stir and let cool on the pan.
• Store in an airtight container for up to a week.

Pasta Recipes With Honey

We all know honey as one of the kitchen’s most versatile products. It can be used to sweeten baked goods, as a marinade for proteins and as a sweetener in a cup of hot tea or coffee. When it comes to pasta, though, working honey into a recipe is usually not on anyone’s radar. That doesn’t have to be the case any longer!

In honor of National Pasta Day on October 17, we’ve compiled a number of pasta recipes that use honey in some way, shape or form. For starters, our Sue Bee® Honey Patriotic Pasta Salad is a hit at Memorial Day and Fourth of July celebrations, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be enjoyed anytime of year!

Check out this classic recipe for Spaghetti and Meatballs from No Recipes that features a pinch of honey in delicious sauce.

A tasty twist on classic mac and cheese is this Honey Mustard Avocado Mac and Cheese from Je suis alimentageuse. We recommend making our homemade Sue Bee® Honey Mustard for this one!

Pretty simple but packed with honey! This Honey-Garlic Angel Hair Pasta from Recipe Girl is one even kids will enjoy.

For the adventurous home cooks out there, there’s this Honey Balsamic Chicken and Peppers from First Home Love Life.

More pasta salad recipes … this time in the form of a Spicy Mexican Pasta Salad from Mother Rimmy’s Cooking Light Done Right!

Make this Homemade Spaghetti Sauce from Recipes We Love to bottle and store or even as gifts during the holidays!

This Ziti with Honey Mustard Salmon from Food & Wine is a delicious dish that fish-lovers will enjoy.

Mr. Food Test Kitchen’s recipe for My Family’s Favorite Casserole is sure to be a hit with your family, too!

Another salmon dish is this Penne Salmon Bake from The Cutting Edge of Ordinary.

Mel’s Kitchen Cafe has a tasty recipe for Epicurean Chicken Salad with Creamy Honey Lime Dressing that’s sure to be a hit.

Pasta for breakfast anyone? These Breakfast Sausage Meatballs and Rotini from Frugal Antics are fun and delicious.

Finally, this Honey Dijon Macaroni Salad from creme de la crumb is a classic macaroni salad that pairs well with almost anything!

What did we miss? Share your favorite recipes with us on Facebook, Twitter andPinterest!

Dessert Recipes With Honey

Got a sweet tooth? Craving some delicious treats? Try any of these amazing dessert recipes sweetened with honey, including brownies, cakes, pies and more!

Get started with our delicious Sue Bee® Carrot Cake (pictured above).

Nadine Mesch’s Grand Prize winning entry for Banana Honey Cake, Strawberry Filling with Honey Cream Cheese Frosting & Marzipan Bees in the Sue Bee® Honey Sweet Eats Recipe Contest is a super fun recipe to make and tastes just as good!

Kara Culpepper’s Chocolate-Raspberry Honey Pie runner-up entry in the Sue Bee® Honey Sweet Eats Recipe Contest is just as elegant as it is delicious!

Another elegant and delicious entry from Kara Culpepper is this Honey Yogurt Pie with Honey Drizzle and Toasted Walnuts!

Cheesecake fans will love this recipe from Brenda Watts for Honey Brulee Crème Cheesecake with Honey Graham Crust!

Kelly Williams’s Streusel Top “Pumpkin Pie” Stuffed Acorn Squash Drizzled with Honey is a perfect fall recipe! Make a batch for Halloween parties, Thanksgiving gatherings or just to celebrate the season.

If you’ve never made homemade cannoli’s now is the time to start with this recipe for Honey Mango Cannoli from Jodi Taffel.

Brownies are always a hit with chocolate lovers and Jannine Fisk’s Salted Caramel Honey Brickle Brownies are sure to be a hit!

For something a little bit lighter, try Laura Craig’s Sunny Honey Squares! The flavor will be a big hit with your whole family.

Hidemi Walsh’s Honey Carrot Granola Cake is a tasty alternative to carrot cake and tastes great!

Our Sue Bee® Honey & Cream Cheese Chocolate Truffles are perfect any time of year! Decorate them with different food coloring to highlight holidays.

There are tons more dessert recipes for you to try and be sure to follow our Sweets board on Pinterest for more!

What did we miss? Share your favorite recipes with us on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest!

How Is Honey Made?

You likely know where it comes from, but do you know how honey is made? It starts with beekeeping – an important part of maintaining a healthy ecosystem – and we can’t thank the beekeepers in the Sioux Honey Association enough for all that they do.

The process of collecting honey starts with honeybees – nature’s little miracle workers – who collect nectar from flowering plants and bring it back to the beehive. The type of flower helps determine the flavor profile, such as clover, orange blossom, sage and more. Beekeepers are then able to collect the honeycomb from the beehive before extracting the honey.

Once it has been gathered from the beehive, our beekeepers and other producers filter the honey. It’s important to remember that this method of filtering is not the same as ultrafiltration. The actual composition of the honey is altered when it goes through an ultrafiltration process, resulting in a product that can no longer be marketed as honey. Filtering, on the other hand, is done to help to ensure purity and quality of the product and according to studies has no impact on the nutrients of the final product. What happens is the honey is warmed up to help liquefy it for better flow through filters so they can remove any excess residue from the hive. Honey that properly goes through this process is still considered pure by the USDA.

After it’s filtered, the finished product is bottled and shipped to grocery stores and supermarkets all across the country. When purchasing honey, be sure to check the label to ensure honey is the only ingredient in the bottle. All of our products are considered U.S. Grade A honey with no added ingredients or preservatives, while also being a proud product of the U.S.A.

For more information, watch the video below.

Win a Trip to the Grand Ole Opry

In early 2014 we gave Facebook fans of Sue Bee® honey and The Henningsens the chance to “Win a Trip to the Grand Ole Opry!”

The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tenn. is one of the most famous venues in America and we wanted to give our supporters the chance to experience it themselves. We asked fans to submit their entries on Facebook and Stephanie Militello from Centerville, Ohio was chosen as the winner of a trip for two to hang out backstage during a live performance by The Henningsens on Oct. 4, 2014.

Cookie Recipes

Did you know that October 1st is recognized as National Homemade Cookie Day? It’s the perfect excuse to whip up a batch of delicious homemade cookies!

There are tons of great cookie recipes that use honey as a key ingredient. It’s important to remember that baking with honey can be tricky. Make sure to read our Four Tips for Baking with Honey before getting started to ensure your cookies turn out perfectly. After you’ve gotten up to speed on the baking side of things, take a look at our favorite cookie recipes below, made using Sue Bee® honey!

Our Sue Bee® Honey Trail Mix Cookies are a sweet twist on the classic Monster Cookie! They are the perfect snack to pack in your child’s lunchbox!

These delicious Honey Glazed Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies were entered in our Sweet Eats Recipe Contest by Kara Culpepper. What chocolate lover could possibly resist this cookie?!

Another tasty entry from the Sweet Eats Recipe Contest was this recipe for Honey-Dipped Donut Cookies from Marie Valdes! Cute and sweet, just as they’re supposed to be!

The final featured entry from the Sweet Eats Recipe Contest were these Tea N’ Honey Thumbprint Cookies from Juliana Evans. The taste is a bit more sophisticated, but they’re perfect for entertaining!

Talk about a blast from the past! We dug into the archives to find this awesome recipe for Sue Bee® Honey Chipper Cookies that are packed with chocolate chips and walnuts!

Another recipe from the archives is this one Honey Peanut Butter Cup Cookies that are just what any peanut butter lover craves! The recipe is great for the holidays along with this next one …

Reindeer Honey Sugar Cookies! While the recipe has an obvious Christmas focus, the actual recipe can be used anytime of year. Halloween, Easter, birthdays . . . all fair game for these awesome sugar cookies!

Finally, our Sue Bee® Honey Fruit Pizza is made with a sugar-cookie crust and topped with honey cream cheese, but can also be covered with whatever you choose!

Check out all of the cookie recipes made with Sue Bee® honey in our recipe archive.

Pancake Recipes with Honey

Breakfast is often referred to as the most important meal of the day, and pancakes are a favorite of people of all ages! So with September 26th being celebrated as National Pancake Day, there’s no better time to compile a list of delicious pancake recipes made with honey – in the batter, syrup or spread on top!

We’ve got all kinds of pancake recipes here that features common ingredients, such as bananas, peanut butter, chocolate chips even poppy seeds! You’ve also got to try our Honey-Cinnamon Syrup as a topper!

These Honey Apple Pancakes from MrBreakfast.com are great for kids and adults! Top ’em with fresh fruit and additional honey for a wonderful breakfast!

A unique twist on pancakes comes in the form of these Cornbread Pancakes with Honey Butter Syrup from Cooking Classy!

It wouldn’t be fall without tons of pumpkin recipes and that includes pancakes! Real Food Enthusiast has a tasty recipe for Grain-Free Pumpkin Pancakes with Cinnamon Honey Syrup that you need to try!

Prep your breakfast the night before and wake up to a wonderful smelling kitchen – and ready-made food – with these Overnight Cinnamon Oatmeal Pancakes from Fabulously Frugal!

These Blueberry Ricotta Pancakes from Cooking in Stilettos definitely break from the traditional pancake mold but the taste is out of this world!

There might not be a ton of honey in this recipe for Peanut Buttery and Honey Pancake Tacos from Mountain Mama Cooks, but the idea and ingredients sure are tempting!

Yet another simple recipe for Honey Pancakes … this one is made without eggs or any dairy products.

Cranberry Honey Butter from Taste of Home. We’ve also got a variety of different Whipped Honey Butter recipes that incorporate vanilla, cinnamon and orange!

What did we miss? Share your favorite recipes with us on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest!

Honey Recipes for Fall

Temperatures are dropping and days are getting shorter. It can only mean one thing … the fall season has arrived! Apples, squash, pumpkins and more fill the produce sections with plenty of ways to celebrate the season. From sweet treats to savory dishes, honey can be used to make everything better!

Take a look at some of our favorite honey recipes for fall starting with a classic comfort dish – our Hearty-Honey Glazed Meatloaf (pictured above).

Here’s something sweet and amazing that perfectly represents fall … this Caramel Apple Cake from A Happy Food Dance made with 1/3 cup of honey!

We’re big fans of honey butter. In fact we have a whole list of different types you can try yourself. But if you’re looking for something delicious to spread your honey-butter on, you’ve got to try this Averie Cooks recipe for Cinnamon Spice Applesauce Bread with Honey Butter!

With kids back in school and days feeling longer, the crockpot can be a busy mom’s best friend. This Crockpot Honey Pork and Apples from Stockpiling Moms is full of flavor that the whole family will enjoy!

It wouldn’t be fall without chili! Our Sassy Sweet & Spicy Chili is just what you need to fight the cold weather!

There are so many great vegetables that are in season this time of year and honey is the perfect ingredient to add some awesome flavor! Try Martha Stewart’s recipe for Honey Roasted Vegetables to add some flavor to your plate.

Sticking with Martha Stewart for a second … it doesn’t get much more fall than her recipe for Acorn Squash and Honey Pies!

Honey cake is a popular dessert this time of year, and this Spiced Honey Cake with Autumn Compote from Hannaford grocery stores is sure to be a hit!

This Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Honey from Simply, Taralynn uses honey mostly as a dip, but who can say no to the combination of fresh apples and squash!

Finally, fall isn’t fall without pumpkin and this recipe for Honey and Thyme Roasted Pumpkin from 80 Breakfasts is sure to be a treat!

What did we miss? Share your favorite recipes with us on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest! 

Sue Bee® Honey Pretzel Bites

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup Sue Bee® Honey
• 1 1/3 cups warm water
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 package yeast
• 5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 ounces unsalted butter, melted
• Vegetable oil, for bowl
• 10 cups water
• 1/3 cup baking soda
• 1 large egg yolk beaten with 1 tablespoon water
• Pretzel salt

Directions

• Dissolve yeast in warm water. Let mixture stand until yeast begins to foam vigorously (5-10 minutes).
• Combine the Sue Bee® honey, yeast/water mixture, kosher salt, flour and butter in a bowl; mix well.
• Knead the dough until it's smooth – about 4 to 5 minutes.
• Remove the dough from the bowl and coat the bowl lightly with the vegetable oil; return the dough to the bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let sit in a warm place for 1 hour or until the dough has doubled in size.
• Preheat the oven to 450 F.
• Cover a baking pan with parchment paper and lightly brush with vegetable oil; set aside.
• In a large saucepan, bring the 10 cups of water and baking soda to a boil.
• Place the dough onto a slightly oiled surface; divide into 8 equal pieces.
• Roll each piece of dough into a rope and cut into 1" chunks.
• Place the pretzels into the boiling water – one at a time – for 30 seconds each; remove them from the water using a large flat spatula, placing pretzel pieces one inch apart onto the parchment-lined baking pan.
• Brush each pretzel with the beaten egg yolk and water mixture; sprinkle with the pretzel salt.
• Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until dark golden brown in color; transfer to a cooling rack for at least 5 minutes before serving.
• Serve with a side of our Sue Bee® honey Mustard or your favorite dipping sauce!

15 Recipes for Gameday

Having people over to watch your favorite team play this weekend? Fill up your gameday menu with these 15 delicious recipes for gameday that all use a little bit of honey in some way, shape or form! First thing’s first: If you love chicken wings, take a look at 16 Honey Wing Recipes we compiled earlier this week. There’s everything from teriyaki and soy sauce to Sriracha and garlic flavored wings!

Let’s start our gameday recipe list with some of our favorite Sue Bee® honey recipes, like our Sue Bee® Super Bowl of Chili (pictured above).

Or if you prefer your chili to have a little kick while still being sweet, give our Sassy Sweet & Spicy Chili a shot!

Just because you’re watching the game at home doesn’t mean you can’t experience a classic stadium concession – the brat! These Sue Bee® Honey Mustard Beer Brats are tasty and the brat can be substituted for a regular hot dog if you prefer!

If you prefer to keep it simple and graze throughout the day, fill up a bowl with our Sue Bee® Honey Snack Mix!

Another tasty snack you can enjoy throughout the day is this Sweet Eats Recipe Contest entry from Sheila Suhan for Hot Honey Stingy Snack Crackers!

Another entry in Sweet Eats Recipe Contest that is sure to be a hit on chilly gamedays is this Honey Cornbread Crusted Chili Pie submitted by Deborah Puette.

We shared her recipe for 3-Cheese Pull-Apart Buffalo Party Wings with Bacon & Green Onions in our 16 Honey Wing Recipes post, but our friend Kelly Williams – the brains behind Wildflour’s Cottage Kitchen – has three more great gameday recipes starting with these Beer-Batter Cucumber Rings with Honey-Key Lime Ranch Dipping Sauce.

Then there’s Kelly’s amazing recipe for Double-Shell Buffalo-Style Grilled Steak Tacos that are covered in Sue Bee® Louisiana Style BBQ Sauce!

And, finally, check out Kelly’s recipe for Cheese-Filled Bacon-Wrapped Game Day Barbecue Beefdogs that are also topped with Sue Bee® Louisiana Style BBQ Sauce!

You can’t go wrong with a plate of these Honey Mustard Ham Bites from Zestuous!

Pretzels are a staple in concession stands at stadiums all across the country! Try these Honey Wheat Pretzels from Anecdotes and Apple Cores for a tasty twist on a classic!

Who doesn’t love a good bowl of guacamole? Try something new with your and give this Honey Mustard Guacamole from Australian Avocados via MyFoodBook.com.au a try.

If you don’t have tons of time to spend in the kitchen, let the slow cooker do the work with these Honey Balasmic Chicken Sliders from Little Kitchen, Big Bites.

Nothing beats a good meatball and these Honey Garlic Meatballs from Meg’s Everyday Indulgence are no exception!

Finally, what list would be complete without something delicious wrapped in bacon? Chef In Training’s recipe for Honey Mustard Glazed Chicks in a Blanket might just be the perfect recipe for gameday!

What did we miss? Share your favorite recipes with us on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest!

16 Honey Wing Recipes

Fall is in the air and, with the changing of seasons, there are a few things we’ve come to expect … leaves changing colors, cooler temperatures and football! Getting together with friends and family to watch your favorite team on the weekend is a favorite activity for so many Americans, and no gathering is complete without plenty of food to snack on! Of all the dishes prepared on gameday, though, chicken wings are perhaps the most popular. There are so many different ways to make a great chicken wing … you can bake them, grill them, fry them or slow cook them. But no matter how you prepare your chicken wing, the sauce or glaze is what makes or breaks the snack. Honey can be the perfect ingredient for your chicken wing as its versatility works well with spicy, sweet and neutral flavors. Take a look at 16 of our favorite honey wing recipes starting with our Honey-Glazed Chicken Wings.

These delicious Apple Honey Glazed Chicken Wings were submitted by Robin Spires in our Sweet Eats Recipe Contest!

Another recipe for chicken wings that came from our Sweet Eats Recipe Contest are these Finger Licking Good Cranberry Hot Wings from Noreen Danek. Yum!

If you like a little Asian twist on your wings, try these Honey Teriyaki Hot Wings from The Savvy Kitchen.

Kelly Williams – a friend of Sue Bee® – runs the blog Wildflour’s Cottage Kitchen and has a great recipe for wings we love … 3-Cheese Pull-Apart Buffalo Party Wings with Bacon & Green Onions (pictured above) that require no dip. Seriously, it’s right on top of the wings!

Here’s another Asian-inspired recipe for Honey Teriyaki Hot Wings from Damn Delicious.

Honey mustard is a popular choice for wings but have you ever considered mixing it with soy sauce? That’s what A Family Feast did with these Honey Mustard Soy Glazed Chicken Wings!

While this recipe for Honey Chipotle Chicken Wings from Cookie Monster Cooking bakes the wings in the oven, you can try the same flavor combinations and still fry, grill or slow cook the wing.

Honey and lime is a popular flavor combination and these Hot Honey Lime Chicken Wings from A Cozy Kitchen really turn up the heat for a delicious bite!

Another twist on honey mustard sauce adds some freshness from the garden … Try these Basil Honey Mustard Wings from I Heart Recipes if you love bold flavors!

These classic Honey BBQ Wings and Cool Ranch from Big Bears Wife are saucy and just what you’d expect from a BBQ chicken wing!

One of the most unique recipes on this list is the Tempura Wings with Sriracha Honey from Aliya LeeKong. What’s not to love about that?

Another Asian twist, this time heavier on the soy sauce. These Honey Soy Sauce Glazed Chicken Wings from My Edible Memories bring a familiar taste to a chicken wing you likely haven’t had before.

Sriracha is catching on as one the hottest (no pun intended) products on shelves these days so of course we had to include these amazing Sriracha-Honey Wings from Food Republic!

For the boneless wing lovers! These Honey Cumin Boneless Chicken Wings from Soni’s Food are full of flavor and sure to be a hit. If you insist on bone-in wings, the sauce works well for them, too.

Finally, My California Roots proves that you don’t need chicken to make a delicious wing recipe with these Honey Lime Cauliflower Hot Wings!

What did we miss? Share your favorite recipes with us on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest!

How should I store honey?

Honey does not spoil. However, the flavor is best when consumed before the ‘Best by’ date on the cap. It will keep indefinitely if stored in a sealed container and is best stored at room temperature. Refrigeration preserves honey very well but also promotes granulation, yielding a semi-solid mass. Freezing, on the other hand, preserves honey well and does not promote granulation, but makes dispensing difficult. Avoid temperatures above room temperature since they promote the darkening of the honey, along with subtle flavor changes.

If granulation – a natural characteristic of pure honey, which does not harm it or indicate any deterioration of the honey – occurs, it can easily be reversed without harming the honey. Here’s how:

1. Bring a pan of water to near boil.
2. Turn off the heat.
3. Place the container with cap open into the water.
4. Leave until both have cooled.
5. Repeat as necessary until honey reaches desired consistency.

Another thing you may try to prevent granulation is this: If you are buying in large containers that granulate before you are done with them, pour a manageable amount into a smaller “table server” for your table. Store the remainder in the large container in your freezer. Freezer temperatures are too low for glucose molecules to migrate and form crystals. As the table server empties, remove the large container from the freezer long enough for it to warm so you can refill the smaller container. Replace the large container in the freezer. Note: Before you pour more honey into your table server be certain that no crystals remain there to act as ‘seed’ for the new honey to granulate around, a condition which will speed up granulation.

While microwaving your honey may seem like an easier alternative, it is not advisable. Most honey containers are made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), a clear plastic that allows the consumer to see the honey before purchase. One of its characteristics, however, is warping at near boiling temperatures. Also, some labels are a foil and paper material. The foil, like metal cooking utensils, does create excessive heat problems in a microwave.

Also, honey, being a thick, viscous liquid, does not heat evenly in a microwave. Hotspots may develop that may lead to a sudden boil that spatters the hot contents. Such hotspots are also hot enough to degrade the flavor and color of this premium honey.

Remembering the Sue Bee® Honey Bear

September 9th is recognized as National Teddy Bear Day, so what better time to dig into the old archives and remember an old friend of Sue Bee® honey?! It all started with a big announcement to introduce a new celebrity spokesperson …

… who quickly became a beloved character synonymous with the brand – and its classic honey-bear packaging.

He appeared in everything from national magazines and free standing inserts to being featured in holiday promotions and even television commercials! Early storyboards showed him reaching into a beehive …

…  only to find a bottle of honey inside.

This commercial showed him enjoying Sue Bee® honey on all kinds of foods and focused on his favorite saying, “Sue Bee is For Me!”

He appeared on the cover of numerous cookbooks that featured original recipes, like this one for the Sioux Honey Association’s 75th Anniversary …

… and this colorful cookbook for children that included 29 “luscious recipes for fudge, cakes, pies, coffee cake and more!”

There were fake magazine covers made for him to help market the brand, like this example from 1994.

 And there were tons of ads that featured him, too. From private label recruitment …

… to specific products and coupons for Sue Bee® honey …

… and even some cross-promotion. Like this ad with Cream of Wheat!

But mostly, our friend was fond of cooking with honey. He loved him some sweets …

… but also went “nutty” for a sweet Sue Bee® fruit salad.

In the mornings, he didn’t waffle on his favorite breakfast …

… and at dinnertime, he made sure there was nothin’ left on the chicken but the bones …

… but his sweet tooth always seemed to lead him back to the cookie jar.

Unfortunately, there was a time when he went in to hibernation from TV advertising. But it didn’t last long!

He was proud to tout Sue Bee as U.S. Grade A Clover Honey and went as far to call it “Premi-YUM” whenever he had the chance.

He liked to sweeten his tea with honey …

… and his sweet holidays always started with it, too!

Speaking of the holidays, his cookie jar could never seem to stay full as he was always eating Sue Bee® cookies by the pawful.

We’ll always miss our good friend and remember him fondly. Until next time …

Banana Honey Cake, Strawberry Filling With Honey Cream Cheese Frosting and Marzipan Bees

Ingredients

Cake

• 1 cup Sue Bee® Honey
• 1 cup walnuts, chopped
• 3 very ripe bananas
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 cup whole wheat flour

Filling

• 1 tablespoon Sue Bee® honey
• 1/2 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 pint strawberries

Frosting

• 2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature
• 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
• 2/3 cup Sue Bee® honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Marzipan Bees (optional, but fun)

• 1/4 cup marzipan
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds
• Black food color paste
• Small paint brush
• Crafting wire

Directions

Cake

• Place the chopped walnuts in a heated medium-size skillet, cook, stirring frequently until the walnuts are nicely toasted.
• Remove from pan, cool, set aside.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• To make the beehive cake, grease and flour an 8-inch round cake pan and an 8-inch metal mixing bowl. For a regular 2-layer cake, grease and flour 2 8-inch round cake pans.
• Place the bananas in a large mixing bowl; mash them with a fork.
• Add the melted butter, Sue Bee® honey and eggs; beat until well-combined.
• Beat in yogurt and vanilla.
• Add the baking soda, baking powder, salt and flours; beat until well-incorporated.
• Using a spatula, stir in the toasted walnuts.
• Pour batter into prepared pans.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean.
• Remove from oven, place on cooling racks.
• When cool, invert the 8-inch round cake pan onto a cake platter.
• Spread a thin coat of the Honey Cream Cheese Frosting over the top of the cake.
• Top with the Strawberry Honey Filling.
• Top with the remaining cake layer, and frost entire cake with the Honey Cream Cheese Frosting.
• When all of the frosting is on the cake, swirl the frosting around the cake into a beehive pattern.
• Decorate with marzipan bees.

Filling

• In a food processor, place the Sue Bee® honey, maple syrup, lemon juice, vanilla and half of the berries.
• Process until the sauce is smooth.
• Add the remaining strawberries and pulse until just chopped.

Frosting

• In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter, Sue Bee® honey and vanilla; beat until light and fluffy.
• Slowly beat in powdered sugar, and beat until frosting is a nice spreading consistency.

Marzipan Bees

• Take a small piece of marzipan and roll it in the palms of your hands into a 1-inch log.
• Paint the stripes of the bee by using the small paint brush and dipping it into the black food coloring.
• Place the bees on wax paper; allow them to dry.
• When dry to the touch insert two almond slices into the sides of the bee to make its wings.
• Twist a bit of crafting wire and inset one end into the bottom of the bee and then insert the other end of the wire into the beehive cake.

Honey-Roasted Balsamic-Vanilla Bean Fresh Fig Pastry Roses With Brie and Caramelized Honey-Pistachios

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup Sue Bee® Spun Honey
• 1 vanilla bean, sliced open lengthwise and seeds scraped out*
• 1/4 teaspoon sweet, aged balsamic vinegar, or more to taste
• 4 fresh figs, stems trimmed off, sliced lengthwise into 6 pieces
• 1 sheet puff pastry, rolled a little thinner
• 4 1-inch cubes brie cheese
• 1 extra-large egg (beaten with 1 tablespoon cold water)
• 2 tablespoons shelled and salted pistachios

Alternative Filling

• 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 teaspoon dark brown sugar
• *Plus any last seeds you can get out of the vanilla bean, there's always a bit more
• **You can also add 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

• Preheat oven to 375 F.
• In small bowl, add Sue Bee Spun Honey, the seeds from one vanilla bean and balsamic vinegar.
• Warm in microwave at 80 percent heat for 20 seconds.
• Stir to mix. (Add more vinegar if you'd like.)
• In another small bowl, stir 1 tablespoon of the honey sauce with 2 tablespoons shelled, salted pistachios.
• Pour onto parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
• Bake in preheated oven for 4-5 minutes. Watch carefully.
• Remove to rack to cool on baking sheet. Turn oven up to 400 F.
• Place sliced figs onto another parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Drizzle evenly with 1 tablespoon of the honey sauce.
• Roast in preheated oven for about 8-9 minutes.
• Remove to rack to cool on baking sheet. Unwrap (thawed) puff pastry sheet and roll out a little to smooth on lightly floured surface.
• With a pizza wheel, cut into 4 equal pieces, trim off corners to round, and cut in about halfway from each rounded corner in toward center.
• Place a 1-inch cube of brie in the center of each. Top with 4-6 slices cooled roasted figs, drizzle the tops of each with 1/4 teaspoon honey sauce. (How many slices of figs depends on size of figs.)
• Fold up 1 "petal" of dough wrapping around filling.
• Moisten the rest of the edges, and wrap second petal around first one from the opposite side lightly pressing ends to stick. Continue with other two.
• Tuck last two points under "rose" and cup in hand gently to round the base.
• Place on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Repeat with rest. *Use excess corner trimmings to make leaves and place slightly under and next to roses.
• Brush all outsides with egg wash.
• Pop into preheated 375 F oven and bake for about 25 minutes until golden brown.
• Remove to a cooling rack. Place roses onto serving plates, drizzle each with last of re-warmed honey sauce.
• Garnish with caramelized honeyed-pistachios. Serve warm.

For Alternative Filling

• In small bowl, stir cream cheese with dark brown sugar and vanilla bean seeds if more in the pod until well-mixed. (*You can always add a 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract if no more seeds.)
• Divide into 4 small mounds, chill, and use in place of brie.