Honey Bae

You know what makes me happier than a basket of puppies? This ORANGE CRANBERRY BREAD & ORANGE HONEY BUTTER. Okay, maybe not a as happy as a bundle of slobbery bulldogs, but close. Both of these recipes are graced with the sweetness of raw honey, which, as it turns out, has oodles of benefits beyond its tantalizing natural sweetness. Get the dEATs for my newfound favorite honey recipes and learn more about how raw, unpasteurized honey could be the next cure for the common cold (and more).

First, let’s set the record straight on raw honey: this isn’t the highly pasteurized stuff with eons of shelf life most commonly found at your grocery store. Raw honey is the pure, unfiltered and unpasteurized liquid gold made by bees from the nectar of flowers. It’s loaded with antioxidants and beneficial plant compounds like polyphenols. It’s the closest thing to sticking your hand in a beehive, which is not recommended for obvious reasons.

Pasteurized honey, removes the yeast to extend the shelf life and improve the texture. It’s then filtered to remove any debris (which could include beneficial pollen) as well as air bubbles to improve the appearance. Some honey then goes through an ultrafiltration process to make it more transparent. All of this heat and processing removes many of the abundant compounds like make honey a powerful natural antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal compound.

So all this goes to show that raw honey may be your new bae (that’s best friend forever for not in the know). Need more convincing? Check out some of the impressive benefits of raw honey.

Top 5 Benefits of Raw Honey

1.) Powerful Antioxidant
Raw honey includes nearly 30 types of bioactive plant compounds called polyphenols, which act as antioxidants to combat free radicals. Many studies have linked these polyphenols to reduction inflammation and reduction in heart disease. In fact, according to Healthline, some honeys have as many antioxidants as fruits and vegetables.

2.) Energy Booster
Honey is made up of mostly sugar (80%), water (18%) and a smaller percentage of minerals, vitamins, proteins and pollen (2%). It’s no surprise then, that sugar gives us energy. But, the thought may not have occurred to you that it’s the perfect running fuel. The sugar is easily absorbed by the body in the form of glycogen, giving a boost of energy pre or post exercise. According to Dr. Oz, studies shown honey to be the best form of carbohydrate to consume before exercise and on par with glucose, which is the sugar used in most energy gels.

3.) Antifungal and Antibacterial
Honey naturally contains hydrogen peroxide, an antiseptic. Studies have shown that raw honey can kill unwanted bacteria and fungus. Manuka honey, a type of honey native to New Zealand, has also been used in medical settings to treat wounds because of its effectiveness in killing germs and aiding tissue regeneration.

4.) Sleep Aid
There are two ways that honey triggers better sleep. First, the natural sugar found in honey, called glycogen, raises insulin levels slightly and triggers the body to produce tryptophan. You might be familiar with tryptophan since its the same compound made famous for making us sleepy after a big Thanksgiving dinner. Second, also provides a small boost of available energy so that our bodies don’t wake up in the middle of the night looking for fuel. You heard it here, a spoonful of honey makes for a good night’s rest.

5.) Sore Throat and Cough Suppressant
Finally, a spoonful of honey when added to hot water or tea can help to coat a sore throat and ease the pain. Additionally, raw honey has been shown to be just as effective as over-the-counter cough suppressants. So next time you feel the tingle of a sore throat or cough, add a spoon of powerhouse honey to ease the pain and give your immune system a boost of antioxidants.

So like, woah – those honey bees know what they’re cooking. Raw honey has a ton of amazing benefits. And, it’s dang delish! Read on for a few of my favorite honey-rific recipes to start reaping the benefits.

CRANBERRY ORANGE PECAN BREAD
Makes: 1 loaf

Ingredients:
-3 C of flour + 2 T
-1 T Beekeeper’s Naturals Raw Honey (I like the thick molasses flavor and texture of the Buckwheat variety)
-1/2 tsp Red Star Platinum instant yeast
-2 tsp coarse sea salt
-3/4 C pecans, roughly chopped
-3/4 dried cranberries, roughly chopped
–zest of 1 orange
-1 1/2 C warm water (about 95 degrees Fahrenheit

Directions:

Step 1: Prep the bread 12-16 hours in advance by placing all of the ingredients in a medium mixing bowl. Stir to combine. Note that the dough will be really sticky, but avoid adding more flour. Do your best to form into a ball-like shape within the bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Due to the yeast, the dough will double in size over the next 12-16 hours. Allow to sit on your countertop at room temperature.
Step 2: Get ready to bake the bread by pre-heating the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Place a fair amount of flour on the counter top. Remove the plastic wrap covering from the dough then, using a spatula, remove the dough from the mixing bowl and place on the floured surface. Spread a light coating of flour on top of the dough and form it into a ball. Place on top of a large sheet of parchment paper. Then use a sharp knife to create an “x” on top of the dough. Cover the dough loosely with plastic wrap and allow to rest for 30 minutes.
Step 3: While the dough rests, place a Dutch oven in the heated oven. You want it to be piping hot when you’re ready to add the dough. After 30 minutes, place the parchment paper and dough in the base of the hot Dutch oven. Cover and put back in the oven for 25 minutes. After 25 minutes, take the cover off the Dutch oven and allow the bread to bake for another 8-10 minutes.
Step 4: Once the bread is done baking and has a hard, golden crust, remove from the oven. Place the parchment with bread on the counter top to cool for 30 minutes. Then, slice and enjoy!

ORANGE HONEY BUTTER
Makes: 1 mason jar

Ingredients:
-12 T unsalted grass-fed butter at room temperature like that from Vital Farms
-1/4 C of Beekeeper’s Naturals Raw Honey (I like the light floral flavor of the Wildflower variety)
-1/4 tsp cinnamon
-1/8 tsp sea salt
-1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
–zest of 1/2 an orange

Directions:

Step 1: Add all of the ingredients to a small mixing bowl. Blend together until combined and creamy in texture.
Step 2: Place in a mason jar and store on the counter top or enjoy immediately as a spread on your favorite baked goods or add a dollop to coffee.

HONEY BADGER WHISKEY COCKTAIL
Makes: 2-3 cocktails

Ingredients:
-3-4 shots of whiskey (I like Basil Hayden’s Bourbon)
-3 tsp of Beekeeper’s Naturals Raw Honey (I used the Wildflower variety)
-2 tsp of water
-1 lemon

Directions:
Step 1: Heat the honey over the stove top. I placed the honey in a metal measuring cup directly on top of the grate of my stove top at medium heat. Once warmed and viscous (should flow freely), add to a glass mason jar. Add the whiskey and water to the mason jar, cover and shake to combine. Place the mason jar in the fridge to cool.
Step 2: Once the whiskey mixture is cooled, remove from the fridge and disperse among the cocktails glasses. Add a squeeze of lemon to each glass and a spiral of the lemon rind. Add a large ice cube, or two, swirl and enjoy!

Thanks to Beekeeper’s Naturals for sending me a sampling of their raw honeys to try!