As we now have bees and will eventually have honey, I’ve been keeping my eyes open for honey recipes. A while ago I saw a recipe for Honey Cake in the Penzey’s catalog. I was intrigued. So I tried it.
It was good, but somewhat heavy on the cardamom. (And I love cardamom.) Even though it was a honey cake, it had sugar in it, too. That must mean the honey was more for a flavor than a sweetener, if you know what I mean. While saffron is pretty, it is not so pretty that it needs to be wasted on a cake that is going to turn yellow anyway from the honey and the eggs.
So I decided to make a couple of changes.
A little less cardamom.
Skip the saffron.
No sugar. So maybe add a banana?
And vanilla.
And yogurt.
And last of all, make muffins instead of cake.
The heavens opened and the angels sang halleluias. It was good!
You need to make some.
How to make Honey Banana Muffins: Printable
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Cream 1/2 cup butter and 3/4 cup honey. Add 1 ripe banana, 3 eggs, and 1 cup yogurt. Mix well.
Mix together 3 cups flour, 1/2 teaspoon cardamom, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1 tablespoon baking powder in a bowl. Add this slowly to the wet ingredients until incorporated.
Put the batter in papers or a greased cupcake pan. (Makes 24.) As soon as you put them in the oven, lower the temperature to 325 degrees–it makes taller muffins. Really. I tried it.
Bake for 28 minutes.
Now, I think I need to try it with a streusel topping. Sounds really good, huh?
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LisaAJB says:
Ahh, yes! My favorite kind of recipe! The kind you make up yourself.
On May 21, 2012 at 8:35 am
lisabetholson says:
Thank you for this recipe. I like to change them to suit me also.
On May 21, 2012 at 2:07 pm
Pete says:
Absotively! Streusel topping would only improve their looks. (Really shouldn’t comment upon the taste. Yet.)
Must ask. Are these the short cupcake holders? Or am I having an optical delusion?
On May 21, 2012 at 2:59 pm
joeyfulnoise says:
I cut the recipe out of the Penzey’s catalog and put it in my recipe box – I’ll try your version instead. We like to cook with saffron, but it is so pricey – glad to know it would be wasted here. Thanks!
On May 21, 2012 at 3:29 pm
Robin from Rurification says:
Hi Pete! Those are regular cupcake papers. Must be the odd camera angle.
On May 21, 2012 at 4:16 pm