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What is Creamed Honey?
Creamed honey (also called whipped honey or spun honey) is a delightful variation of natural honey that's been processed to achieve a smooth, velvety texture. Unlike regular liquid honey, which can be runny and sticky, creamed honey has a thicker, more spreadable consistency that makes it perfect for toast, biscuits, or stirring into tea.
We love whipped honey in this Pumpkin Spice Whipped Coffee recipe
The unique texture comes from controlling the crystallization process. By whipping liquid honey and introducing fine crystal "seeds," you create a honey with a lighter color and a silky, spreadable texture that won't drip off your knife. Many people also find that creamed honey has a milder, more delicate flavor profile that lets subtle honey notes shine through.
The Difference Between Liquid and Creamed Honey
While regular liquid honey and creamed honey start from the same raw material, they differ significantly in texture and application:
- Texture: Liquid honey flows freely and can be messy, while creamed honey has a smooth, spreadable consistency similar to soft butter.
- Crystallization: All honey naturally crystallizes over time, often forming large, crunchy crystals. Creamed honey contains microscopically small crystals that give it its smooth texture.
- Spreadability: Creamed honey spreads easily without dripping, making it ideal for toast and other applications where you don't want a sticky mess.
- Preservation: Both varieties have similar shelf life, but creamed honey maintains its consistent texture longer than liquid honey, which eventually crystallizes unpredictably.
Our Original Honey Body Scrub is made of only 100% pure and natural crystallized honey, making it safe to eat!
What You'll Need
Ingredients
- 1-2 cups of raw, unpasteurized honey (local honey or pure honey varieties work best)
- A small amount of "seed honey" (already creamed honey or granulated honey) to jumpstart the process (optional but helpful)
Equipment
- A mixing bowl
- A stand mixer with wire whisk attachment (or a handheld mixer, though it will take longer)
- A mason jar or other airtight container for storage
There are many ways to find the best local honey near you
Making Creamed Honey: Step by Step
- Prepare your honey: Start with raw, unpasteurized honey for the best results. If using crystalized honey, know that it will work but require longer mixing time.
- Add a starter (optional): For more consistent results, add about 10% seed honey (already creamed honey) to help initiate the creaming process with the right crystal structure.
- Begin whipping: Pour the honey into your mixing bowl and whip it on medium-high speed. This incorporates air and breaks down any existing crystals.
- Watch for changes: After about 15-20 minutes of whipping, you should notice the honey lightening in color to a creamy golden hue.
- Continue until perfect: Keep whipping until the honey reaches a smooth, creamy consistency with no visible graininess. This typically takes 15-30 minutes total, depending on your honey's properties and whether you used seed honey.
- Transfer and store: Spoon the finished creamed honey into clean, airtight jars for storage.
Different types of honey will give you different flavors
Pro Tips for Perfect Creamed Honey
- Temperature matters: Work in a cool, dry place (around 57-65°F/14-18°C is ideal). High temperatures can prevent proper crystallization.
- Don't overwhip: Stop once you achieve the desired smooth consistency. Overwhipping can create too much air, causing separation later.
- Quality counts: Always use the highest quality raw honey you can find. The better your starting honey, the better your creamed honey will be.
- Be patient: The process takes time. Don't rush it by increasing mixer speed dramatically.
- Flavor infusions: Once you've mastered the basic technique, experiment with adding vanilla, cinnamon, citrus zest, or other flavor infusions before whipping.
Have you ever tried making rose infused honey?
Storing Your Creamed Honey
Store your creamed honey in an airtight container at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and heat sources. When properly stored, creamed honey can maintain its smooth texture for months. Always use clean utensils when scooping to prevent contamination.
While regular honey shouldn't be refrigerated, creamed honey can handle cool temperatures well. However, freezing isn't recommended as it can affect the texture.
Troubleshooting
- Separation: If your creamed honey separates (liquid rising to the top), simply whip it again to reincorporate everything.
- Too thick: If the finished product is too thick, try adding a small amount of liquid honey and gently mixing.
- Too thin: If it's too runny, continue whipping for a few more minutes to incorporate more air.
- Grainy texture: If you notice large crystals, the mixing time was likely insufficient. Try whipping longer next time, or use seed honey to guide crystal formation.
We bet dipping these Chai Cookies into creamed honey would taste delicious!
Creative Variations
Once you've mastered basic creamed honey, try these variations:
- Honey Butter: Blend creamed honey with softened butter for a heavenly spread.
- Spiced Honey: Infuse with cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, or ginger for a warm flavor profile.
- Citrus Honey: Add lemon, orange, or grapefruit zest for a bright, refreshing twist.
- Vanilla Bean Honey: Split and scrape a vanilla bean into your honey before whipping.
- Salted Honey: A pinch of flaky sea salt can create a wonderful sweet-savory balance.
Turn up the heat by whipping homemade hot honey
Scaling Up Your Recipe
If you want to make larger batches, keep these tips in mind:
- Use a stand mixer with sufficient power for bigger batches.
- Work with about 1-2 cups of honey per mixer attachment for even whipping.
- Expect longer whipping times (30-60 minutes) for larger quantities.
- Monitor consistency carefully to prevent over-whipping.
The Joy of Homemade Creamed Honey
Making creamed honey at home is a simple yet rewarding process that transforms ordinary honey into something special. With just one ingredient and some patience, you can create a gourmet spread that costs a fraction of store-bought versions. Whether you're a beekeeper looking to diversify your honey products or simply a food enthusiast, homemade creamed honey makes a delicious addition to your pantry and a thoughtful handmade gift for friends and family.
