Honeycomb Recipe - melissassouthernstylekitchen.com (2024)

Home » » Honeycomb Recipe

ByMelissa

2 Comments

Jump to Recipe

This crisp and airy Honeycomb Recipe is a deliciously simple candy to make. The honey toffee-like flavor and spongy texture melts in your mouth. You can enjoy it with or without melted chocolate on top or straight from the pan broken into random pieces.

Honeycomb Recipe - melissassouthernstylekitchen.com (1)

Easy Honeycomb Recipe

What is honeycomb candy? It’s a light and airy candy that’s made with honey and sugar and combined with baking soda. The baking soda creates a reaction that causes it to foam. It’s one of those fun candies that has a plethora of names, sometimes called honeycomb toffee, seafoam, sponge toffee, hokey pokey and beyond. It has a sugary honey flavor with an airy texture that can be broken into random pieces or cut using a sharp knife into more uniform shapes. It naturally crumbles when cutting so random sizes should be expected. How to make Honeycomb Candy: (Scroll down for full printable recipe.)

  • Honeycomb Mixture – Add sugar, water, corn syrup, and honey to a medium size heavy bottomed saucepan fitted with a candy thermometer. Whisk to combine. Heat over medium heat cooking until clear and the the mixture reaches 300°F.
  • Remove from the heat and whisk in baking soda, vanilla and salt. The mixture will foam up, whisk just until fully incorporated.
  • Use a rubber spatula to carefully push and pour the mixture into the prepared pan. (Don’t spread or press down the mixture or it will deflate the bubbles.)
  • Let the candy cool completely then remove it from the pan using the parchment.
  • Break into individual random pieces by hand or using a sharp knife.
Honeycomb Recipe - melissassouthernstylekitchen.com (2)

How to Make the Best Honeycomb Candy Recipe

  • Ingredients you’ll need to make homemade Honeycomb Candy: Light corn syrup, honey, granulated sugar, water, vanilla extract, salt and baking soda.
  • Kitchen gadgets you’ll need: A 4 quart heavy bottomed saucepan, measuring cups and spoons, an 8 x 8 inch pan, parchment paper, a whisk, candy thermometer and a rubber spatula.
  • Choose a heavy bottomed pot that’s deep enough to contain the mixture when it foams up. When in doubt go a bit larger than smaller. You don’t want it to overflow.
  • When pouring the mixture into the prepared pan don’t be tempted to press down and spread the mixture or it can deflate the bubbles. Try to pour it evenly into the pan, then gently shake the pan to spread.
  • You can dip or drizzle this honeycomb recipe with melted chocolate. When doing so, the topping shouldn’t be like a sauce but rather something that would be able to dry and is stable at room temperature.
  • To clean the pan, fill with warm water and let sit. This should dissolve what’s left behind. If it’s still stubborn, place the pot onto the stovetop and bring to a boil. This will soften any drips left behind and clean-up will be a breeze.
  • To make the optional chocolate topping : In a double boiler over simmering water melt 1 1/2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips with 1 1/2 teaspoons of solid vegetable shortening (or coconut oil) stirring until completely smooth. Once the honeycomb is completely cooled and set, gently spread the warm chocolate on top and let dry. Then remove from the pan using the parchment paper and use a sharp knife to cut or break into pieces.
  • Store Honeycomb in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
  • I don’t recommend freezing or refrigerating honeycomb candy.
Honeycomb Recipe - melissassouthernstylekitchen.com (3)

More Easy Candy Recipes to Make

Candy isn’t just limited to the holiday season there’s something sweet and satisfying about making it for gift giving and special occasions. More candy recipes you may also like to try:

  • Toffee Peanut Clusters are certain to become a family favorite.
  • Enjoy these Bourbon Pecan Pralines as a decadent sweet Southern treat.
  • You can tint these Easy Cream Cheese Mints in any color to suit the occasion.
  • Sweet and Salty Potato Chip Clusters are impossible to resist.
  • Brown Sugar Walnut Fudge (Penuche) is a creamy delight.
  • These cute as a button Turtle Pretzels are always a winning option.
  • Believe It Or Not Candy Bars from Karo Syrup.
Honeycomb Recipe - melissassouthernstylekitchen.com (4)

Thanks for visiting come back soon!

DISCLOSURE ~ IF A PURCHASE IS MADE USING ONE OF THE AFFILIATE LINKS ON THIS WEBSITE WE MAY EARN A SMALL COMMISSION ATNO ADDITIONAL COST TO YOU. THANK YOU!

Helpful Kitchen Items:

Honeycomb Recipe - melissassouthernstylekitchen.com (5)

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe

Honeycomb Recipe

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time10 minutes mins

Cooling time30 minutes mins

Total Time45 minutes mins

Course: Candy, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: easy-honeycomb-candy, honeycomb-candy

Servings: 12 servings (may vary)

Calories: 95kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup light corn syrup
  • 2 Tbsp honey
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt OR table salt

Instructions

  • Line an 8 x 8 baking dish or large pie dish with parchment paper, leaving at least 1 inch overhang.

  • Add sugar, water, corn syrup, and honey to a medium size heavy bottomed saucepan fitted with a candy thermometer. Whisk to combine. Heat over medium heat cooking until clear and the the mixture reaches 300°F.

  • Remove from the heat and whisk in baking soda, vanilla and salt. The mixture will foam up, whisk just until fully incorporated.

  • Use a rubber spatula to carefully push and pour the mixture into the prepared pan. (Don't spread or press down the mixture or it will deflate the bubbles.)

  • Let cool completely then remove from the pan using the overhang parchment.

  • Break into individual random pieces. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. (See the Cook's note for optional chocolate topping instructions.)

Notes

  • To make a Chocolate Topping : In a double boiler over simmering water melt 1 1/2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips with 1 1/2 teaspoons of solid vegetable shortening (or coconut oil) stirring until completely smooth. Once the honeycomb is completely cooled and set, gently spread the warm chocolate on top and let dry. Then remove from the pan using the parchment paper and use a sharp knife to cut or break into pieces.
  • Please note: Nutritional data should always be considered an estimate as it can vary depending on how the finished product is divided.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 95kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 0.01g | Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 188mg | Potassium: 2mg | Fiber: 0.01g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin C: 0.02mg | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 0.02mg

Tried this recipe?Mention @melissassk or tag #melissassk!

Pin

Share

Email

Tweet

Honeycomb Recipe - melissassouthernstylekitchen.com (2024)

FAQs

Why is my honeycomb chewy not crunchy? ›

Chewy honeycomb happens when the mixture hasn't been cooked for long enough. This is most common when you don't use a sugar thermometer. If you don't heat the mixture to 149°C the sugar won't achieve the brittleness required for that crumbly, crunchy texture.

Why add vinegar to honeycomb? ›

White vinegar – one of the things that makes this candy unique is the light and airy texture of the toffee. We have the vinegar, in part, to thank for that! Vinegar reacts with the baking soda in the recipe to form little bubbles of carbon dioxide that give the honeycomb candy its airy, crisp texture.

Can you overcook honeycomb? ›

It's all good unless the melted sugar is cooked for too long, when it will burn and the bitterness detracts from the acid-sweet pleasures expected. If you undercook it, it will not set properly.

Why does baking soda make honeycomb? ›

What is the science behind this Honeycomb Candy? The baking soda (also known as bicarbonate of soda) heats up and when it does that, it releases a gas that gets trapped in the caramelized honey and sugar. This results in bubbles that resembles actual honeycomb from bees!

Can you fix chewy honeycomb? ›

If your sugar syrup isn't hot enough, it will make your honeycomb very chewy. The best way to make sure your sugar is at the right temperature is to use a sugar thermometer. The mixture should be at the 'hard ball' stage, which is normally between 121-130 degrees Celsius.

Why is my homemade honeycomb chewy? ›

Why Is My Homemade Honeycomb Chewy ? The syrup is taken off the heat too soon, it's a common mistake and one I made! Underheating the sugar makes the honeycomb sticky so it won't set correctly. Keep your eye on the sugar thermometer and make sure the temperature reaches at least 146 degrees C or 295 degrees F.

What to do with failed honeycomb? ›

Instead, if it is enjoyable as is, I would suggest just eating it as a toffee like candy. Otherwise, chalk it up to experience and watch the temperature more closely next time. I have a batch of gooey toffee now too. So im just either enjoying it as is or adding bit or chunks of it to my coffee or ice cream.

What is the black stuff on the honeycomb? ›

When you leave comb in the hive for months, especially in the brood section, it will start to turn dark brown. This is mostly from propolis. Propolis is plant sap. It is super sticky and usually various shades of dark brown or a reddish brown (but not always).

Can you eat the white stuff on honeycomb? ›

Honeycomb can often have a chewy consistency and more texture than filtered, pure honey. This comes from the waxy layer that surrounds the honeycomb. The wax from the honeycomb can be chewed like gum or spit it out. It is all safe to eat!

Can you eat honey straight from the honeycomb? ›

You can consume raw honey directly from the honeycomb, which is made from beeswax. Some health benefits may include improved liver function or heart health, but consuming large amounts may be harmful to your health. People have been keeping bees and eating their honey for thousands of years.

Does honeycomb ever expire? ›

Honey and honeycomb do not expire. Ever. Unless the honeycomb is stored improperly or moisture is introduced to the container. Store honeycomb at room temperature in a sealed container or jar and your honeycomb will keep as long as it takes you to eat it (not long for a bee charmer).

Can you eat old honeycomb? ›

Yes, Raw Honeycomb is 100% Edible!

Just because honeycomb may not look pristine, it doesn't mean it's gone bad - and it definitely doesn't mean it's not absolutely delicious. Try some of our favorite ways to enjoy raw honeycomb!

What is honeycomb called in America? ›

Regionally it may be referred to as sponge candy, sea foam, fairy food candy, or old fashioned puff in the US, and in Britain, it is often called Cinder Toffee with variances of puff candy in Scotland, Yellowman in Northern Ireland and Sponge Toffee in Canada.

What is the white stuff on my honeycomb? ›

If the bee cluster was not able to keep this honey warm enough over the winter, or it was a rapidly crystallizing honey, you may see crystallized honey comb in your hive in the spring. If you feed sugar or sugar syrup to your bees, sometimes you will also see sugar crystals that look similar as well.

What's the difference between honeycomb and cinder toffee? ›

Honeycomb candy is known by many names.

Honeycomb toffee, sponge toffee, cinder toffee and hokey poke are just a few. Often though, it is simply referred to as honeycomb. The exact origin of this light yet rigid candy is disputed almost as much as the various names.

Is honeycomb supposed to be crunchy? ›

Honeycomb is a crunchy, airy candy with a sweet honey flavor.

Is real honeycomb chewy? ›

Honeycomb typically contains raw honey, which is sweet, and the beeswax itself, which is chewy and has a similar mouthfeel to chewing gum. You can eat pieces of honeycomb by themselves as a sweet snack.

Can you eat soft honeycomb? ›

yes! – it is totally safe to eat honeycomb. Some say it's very healthy to eat honeycomb as the honey in the comb, as with all bee honeys, is a natural antibiotic. This article will show you delicious ways to enjoy honeycomb for eating.

Is real honeycomb crunchy? ›

The taste of is often described as earthy, floral, or even fruity due to the fact that bees collect nectar from various flowers to store in their hives. It also has a soft yet crunchy texture, making it perfect for spreading on toast or crackers.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Patricia Veum II

Last Updated:

Views: 6003

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (44 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Patricia Veum II

Birthday: 1994-12-16

Address: 2064 Little Summit, Goldieton, MS 97651-0862

Phone: +6873952696715

Job: Principal Officer

Hobby: Rafting, Cabaret, Candle making, Jigsaw puzzles, Inline skating, Magic, Graffiti

Introduction: My name is Patricia Veum II, I am a vast, combative, smiling, famous, inexpensive, zealous, sparkling person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.