KANSAS CITY — Natural sweeteners can play an important part in the flavoring of baked foods. Bread, in particular, can greatly benefit from a sweet infusion.
One of the best pairings for bread is honey. They work well together, as honey can provide excellent flavor, functionality and moisture to this product. Bakeries across the country experience this firsthand with their own unique varieties.
At Zingerman’s Bakehouse in Ann Arbor, Mich., State St. Wheat has become a top seller. The hearth-baked sliced bread has just a few ingredients, including honey, wheat, olive oil, rye and sea salt. Freshly milled soft white wheat is combined with stone-ground, high-extraction hard red spring wheat flour. Then, the naturally leavened dough is mixed with a touch of honey and olive oil for a same-day fermentation.
The honey-based bread was developed as part of the Bread Lab Collective through something called the Approachable Loaf. The original formula was developed by Jeff Yankellow together with The Bread Lab, and while bakers are free to choose specific ingredients, decide how to package the finished product and what name to give the loaf, the loaf is characterized by these core values:
• Baked in a tin and sliced.
• Contains no more than seven ingredients
• Contains no non-food
• Is at least 60% whole wheat—preferably 100%
• Priced under $6/loaf
• 10¢ of every loaf sold returns to The Bread Lab to support further research of other whole grain products
Storytelling is a top product trend in 2020, according to Innova. The market research firm finds that 56% of global consumers say stories about a brand influence purchasing decisions. Few ingredients have a better story to tell than honey. The National Honey Board states that the story of honey is older than history itself. An 8,000-year-old cave painting in Spain depicts honey harvesting, and ever since, it's been used for food and so much more all over the world.
Earlier this year, the National Honey Board launched a video called “Celebrating Beekeeping: A Labor of Love,” providing a narrative of the beekeepers who ensure bees are healthy and honey flowing. Using this as your backdrop, you can tell the story of how your honey-based bread came to be. Not only will it provide an interesting explanation behind your featured loaf, but it will give customers a reason to keep coming back for delicious bread.
For bakers with questions about formulating their next made-with-honey bread products, honey.com offers methods, tips and an explanation of honey’s benefits. This secret ingredient is versatile and wholesome, excelling in a variety of tasks.
FAQs
Honey results in a moister, fluffier texture.
Meanwhile, goods made with honey are deliciously moist and have a tighter crumb that does not disintegrate as easily.
What happens when you put honey on bread? ›
It's absolutely delicious. The crispy honey caramelized exterior of the bread gives way to a soft and fluffy interior. So good.
What happens if you add too much honey to bread? ›
If you add too much honey, it can change the hydration of your sourdough bread. Honey is higher in fructose than sugar making it much sweeter. For this reason, when substituting, you'll need to reduce the amount of sugar you use to three quarters (¾) or even half (½) of the amount of honey used.
How much honey to replace sugar in bread? ›
Use less honey than sugar.
The Rule: For every 1 cup of sugar, substitute 1/2 to 2/3 cup honey.
What are the hidden benefits of honey? ›
As discussed before, the main benefits of eating honey in moderation may include:
- blood pressure management.
- cholesterol management.
- wound healing when used topically.
- cough suppression.
- polyphenol content, which is thought to aid in digestion and have other health benefits.
- antioxidant content, which fights free radicals.
Ingredients:
- Add 1 tbsp butter to a pan and when it melts, put in the cubed bread slices. ...
- Keep stirring and toasting, adding on more butter as needed.
- When the bread pieces turn golden brown, turn off fire and sprinkle with sugar. ...
- Dip in honey and eat warm.
Toasted, organic, 100% whole grain bread with butter and raw honey is a great way to start the day. The slow release energy of the fibre from the bread and nutrients of the raw honey will keep you going without snacking until lunchtime.
Does honey lose its benefits when baked? ›
Heating up to 40°C (104 F) destroys invertase, an important enzyme. Heating up to 50°C (122 F) for more than 48 hrs. turns the honey into caramel (the most valuable honey sugars become analogous to sugar). Heating honey higher than 140 degrees F for more than 2 hours will cause rapid degradation.
Why shouldn't you bake with honey? ›
Baking With Honey Releases Toxic Compounds: Science's Perspective. Scientifically, heating honey changes its nutritional value and chemical composition.
What kind of honey is best for baking bread? ›
Buckwheat Honey
Bees produce dark, flavorful honey if they pollinate from buckwheat. The honey carries strong notes of malt. For that reason, buckwheat honey is a popular choice for baked goods and also barbecue sauces.
Honey may contain natural toxins
The symptoms of poisoning due to honey consumption depend on the types and levels of the toxins. Common symptoms include nausea and vomiting. In severe cases, low blood pressure , shock, or even death may occur.
Can I use raw honey in baking? ›
You can use raw honey in recipes in the same way as commercial honey—but we don't reccomend using it in baked goods that are exposed to higher temperatures.
Is honey healthier than sugar? ›
So is there a definitive answer to which is healthier, honey or sugar? Both should be consumed in limited amounts. Honey may have a slight edge, but excess consumption of either is more dangerous to your health than the advantage of choosing one over the other.
Is honey ok for diabetics? ›
Used sparingly, honey can be part of a healthy, balanced diet for people living with diabetes. But it's good practice to get into the habit of limiting honey and any added sugar as much as possible. More than focussing on an individual ingredient, think about what you eat for each meal as a whole.
What does honey do in bread? ›
Honey helps extend the shelf life of baked goods, which in particular is important for loaves of bread that need to stay fresh and moist. Honey is a humectant, a substance that prevents moisture transfer in bakery foods. Honey does not give up water easily; in fact, it collects moisture from the atmosphere.
Can I put honey on my bread? ›
Adding a Sweet Touch to Your Bread: Glazing with Honey
The aroma, the soft texture, and the comforting flavor – it's a simple pleasure that never fails to bring joy. And if you're looking to take your homemade bread to the next level, consider glazing it with honey.
