The Best Raw Honey to Buy at the Grocery Store
The Best Raw Honey to Buy at the Grocery Store is a easy American recipe that serves 4. 680 calories per serving. Recipe by America's Test Kitchen on YouTube.
Prep: 20 min | Cook: 8 min | Total: 38 min
Cost: $58.65 total, $14.66 per serving
Ingredients
- 4 slices Bread (white or whole‑grain, toasted)
- 1 tablespoon Nature Nate's Raw Unfiltered Polyfloral Honey (raw, unfiltered, polyfloral)
- 1 cup Greek Yogurt (plain, full‑fat)
- 1 tablespoon Brightland Orange Blossom Honey (monofloral orange blossom, bright citrus notes)
- 1 cup All-Purpose Flour (sifted)
- 0.75 cup Milk (whole milk)
- 1 large Egg (room temperature)
- 1 pinch Salt (kosher salt)
- 2 tablespoons Butter (for skillet, melted)
- 2 tablespoons Bee Harmony Buckwheat Honey (dark, robust, smoky notes)
- 4 oz Cream Cheese (softened)
- 2 tablespoons Shelburne Creamed Honey (mild, floral, spreadable)
- 8 pieces Crackers (plain water crackers)
Instructions
Gather Ingredients & Equipment
Lay out all honey varieties, bread, yogurt, pancake ingredients, cream cheese, crackers, and the required tools.
Time: PT5M
Toast the Bread
Toast the 4 slices of bread to a golden brown using a toaster or oven broiler.
Time: PT2M
Add Polyfloral Honey
Spread 1 tablespoon of Nature Nate's raw polyfloral honey evenly over the warm toast slices.
Time: PT1M
Prepare Yogurt Parfait
Place 1 cup of Greek yogurt in a small bowl and drizzle 1 tablespoon of Brightland orange blossom honey on top.
Time: PT2M
Mix Pancake Batter
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 1 cup flour, 0.75 cup milk, 1 egg, and a pinch of salt until just combined. Let the batter rest for a minute.
Time: PT5M
Cook Pancakes
Heat the skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon butter, then pour ¼ cup batter per pancake. Cook 2 minutes per side until golden. Repeat for 2‑3 pancakes.
Time: PT8M
Temperature: Medium heat
Drizzle Buckwheat Honey
While the pancakes are still warm, drizzle 2 tablespoons of Bee Harmony buckwheat honey over them.
Time: PT1M
Make Honey‑Cream Cheese Spread
In a small mixing bowl, combine softened 4 oz cream cheese with 2 tablespoons Shelburne creamed honey until smooth.
Time: PT3M
Assemble the Tasting Plate
Arrange the honey‑topped toast, yogurt parfait, honey‑drizzled pancakes, and honey‑cream cheese spread with crackers on a serving plate.
Time: PT1M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 680
- Protein
- 12 g
- Carbohydrates
- 100 g
- Fat
- 20 g
- Fiber
- 4 g
Dietary info: Vegetarian, Contains honey, Contains gluten
Allergens: Dairy, Gluten, Egg
Ingredient Substitutions
- Instead of Bread: gluten‑free bread
- Instead of Nature Nate's Raw Unfiltered Polyfloral Honey: any raw polyfloral honey
- Instead of Greek Yogurt: regular plain yogurt
- Instead of Brightland Orange Blossom Honey: any orange blossom honey
- Instead of All-Purpose Flour: whole‑wheat flour
- Instead of Milk: unsweetened almond milk
- Instead of Egg: flax egg
- Instead of Salt: sea salt
- Instead of Butter: vegetable oil
- Instead of Bee Harmony Buckwheat Honey: any dark honey
- Instead of Cream Cheese: goat cheese spread
- Instead of Shelburne Creamed Honey: any creamed honey
- Instead of Crackers: rice cakes
Equipment Needed
- Toaster
- Small Mixing Bowl
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Whisk
- Skillet
- Spatula
- Serving Plate
- Knife
- Spoon
Critical Steps — Do Not Skip
- Do not heat honey directly; add it after cooking to preserve delicate flavors.
- Maintain medium heat when cooking pancakes to prevent honey from burning.
- Use raw, unfiltered honey for the most complex flavor profile.
Chef Tips from the Video
- Taste each honey on its own first to appreciate its unique terroir before pairing.
- For extra contrast, add a pinch of flaky sea salt on the buckwheat honey‑drizzled pancakes.
- Serve the honey‑cream cheese spread with a thin slice of cucumber for a refreshing bite.
Troubleshooting
Honey becomes bitter or burnt.
Reduce skillet heat and add honey after the pancake is cooked; never cook honey directly over high flame.
Pancakes are dense or rubbery.
Do not over‑mix the batter; let the batter rest briefly and cook on medium heat.
Honey crystallizes on the plate.
Warm the honey slightly (30‑35°C) before drizzling, or stir it gently to re‑liquefy.
Storage
Refrigerator: Yogurt parfait, honey‑cream cheese spread, and leftover pancakes can be stored in airtight containers for up to 2 days.
Freezer: Pancakes freeze well for up to 2 months; reheat gently and add honey fresh after reheating.
Room temperature: Honey varieties and toasted bread stay fine at room temperature for a day; keep honey sealed to prevent moisture absorption.
Make-Ahead Tips
- Prepare the pancake batter up to 2 hours ahead and keep refrigerated.
- Mix the honey‑cream cheese spread in advance; store covered in the fridge.
- Toast the bread just before serving to keep it crisp.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cultural significance and history of raw honey tasting in American cuisine?
Raw honey has been valued in the United States since colonial times for its medicinal and culinary uses. Modern American chefs, like those on America's Test Kitchen, celebrate honey’s regional terroir by tasting and pairing distinct varieties, much like wine tasting traditions.
What are the traditional regional variations of honey in the United States?
U.S. honey varies by flora: orange blossom from Florida, buckwheat from the Midwest, clover from the Northeast, and wildflower (polyfloral) blends found nationwide. Each reflects the local nectar sources and seasonal climate.
How is raw honey traditionally served in American breakfast dishes?
Raw honey is often drizzled over toast, mixed into yogurt, or used as a natural sweetener for pancakes and waffles. Its unfiltered texture adds a rustic, floral note that complements simple breakfast staples.
What occasions or celebrations is honey tasting associated with in American food culture?
Honey tastings are popular at farmers’ markets, harvest festivals, and culinary workshops. They’re also featured in holiday gatherings where different honeys are paired with cheeses, breads, and desserts.
What makes buckwheat honey special in American cuisine compared to lighter honeys?
Buckwheat honey is dark, robust, and has smoky, molasses‑like notes that stand up to bold dishes such as roasted vegetables or as a maple‑syrup substitute on pancakes, offering a distinctive flavor profile not found in lighter honeys.
Why does this recipe add honey after cooking the pancakes instead of mixing it into the batter?
Heating honey degrades its delicate aromatics. Adding it after the pancakes are cooked preserves the honey’s complex flavor and prevents bitterness that can occur when honey is exposed to high heat for too long.
What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making the Four Honey Tasting Pairings?
Common errors include overheating honey, over‑mixing pancake batter, and letting toast sit too long before adding honey, which can cause the honey to harden. Follow the critical steps to keep flavors bright.
How do I know when the pancakes are done cooking for this honey pairing recipe?
Pancakes are ready when the edges set, bubbles form on the surface, and the bottom is golden brown after about 2 minutes. Flip and cook another 1‑2 minutes until the second side is evenly browned.
Can I make the Four Honey Tasting Pairings ahead of time and how should I store each component?
Yes. Pancake batter can be refrigerated for up to 2 hours, and the honey‑cream cheese spread can be made a day ahead and kept chilled. Store the yogurt parfait and honey‑topped toast separately and assemble just before serving.
What does the YouTube channel America's Test Kitchen specialize in?
America's Test Kitchen specializes in rigorous, science‑based cooking tutorials that test recipes repeatedly to deliver reliable, fool‑proof methods for home cooks, covering a wide range of cuisines and techniques.
Last updated: August 21, 2026
