Everyone should know how to make honey spoons for tea. Honey tea spoons are incredibly easy, only require two ingredients and are so versatile. They can be used as honey stirrers for tea, as a party favor for the trendy "honey" party theme, and they're perfect as a cough drop or sore throat remedy, and they make a perfect all natural lollipop!
During the cold seasons, I always have a few honey spoons, ready to go for the unexpected cold or sore throat. These honey spoons dissolve in hot water, making them a perfect honey tea stirrer.
They are also a natural hard candy, so they make a perfect lollipop. No high fructose corn syrup or artificial flavors here!
Why you should make all natural candy:
While it may seem intimidating at first, making your own candy at home is simple and fun. We find it so enjoyable, I've created a whole section on the blog for homemade candy recipes. Plus, you skip so many of the ingredients you likely hope to avoid. In our healthy vegan palm oil free chocolate spoons | lollipops recipe you can read all about how we're avoiding palm oil by making candy at home! We also love our homemade lavender vanilla honey lollipops, made very similarly to these. Making these at home will also save you a lot of money!
I don’t know about you, but when I’m under the weather, I always boil some water and sip on tea all throughout the day. And although honey is sweet and delicious, I don’t enjoy eating it by the spoonful. So I pop one of these spoons in my tea, let it dissolve while my tea steeps. And my kids like to eat them like lollies. Perfect cough drops, but cute and natural!
Safety tip:
due to the risk of infant botulism, a severe but rare form of food poisoning, you should never give honey to a child younger than a year old.
Ingredients needed:
- Honey - if possible use Manuka honey. Manuka honey is the only type that can withstand heat and still maintain some health benefits. It's our favorite and the best for candy making.
- Cream of tartar - to help prevent the candy from cracking. Works like a charm!
- Any thing else you want to add to flavor the spoons. I often use cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, orange or lemon zest, or even lavender vanilla, like in my: Homemade lavender vanilla honey lollipops
Tools needed:
- Small sauce pan
- Lollipop mold
- Measuring cup
- Candy sticks (if using a lollipop mold)
- Candy thermometer - an absolute must for this recipe
- Optional but helpful candy wrappers if you plan to gift them because these honey candies will stick together.
How to make honey tea spoons:
- Start by pouring your honey into your sauce pan, add in cream of tar tar and any mix ins.
- Turn the heat to medium low.
- Insert your candy thermometer and wait for temperature to reach 300 degrees F.
- While you wait, prep your lollipop mold by inserting candy sticks.
- Once honey reaches 300 degrees, turn off heat. Stir vigorously, making sure all bubbles are gone.
- Pour into lollipop mold.
- Let sit for 2 hours or until candy is completely hardened.
- Remove carefully from mold and enjoy!
Why you can use honey for a sore throat
Use these as a cough drop when you need them!
Sore throats are caused by bacterial or viral infections that cause inflammation of the membranes in our throat tonsils. They’re very common and often uncomfortable with symptoms of dryness, itchiness, difficulty swallowing, and pain. And is there anything worse than when these symptoms accompany an uncontrollable cough? Methinks not.
One of the best treatments for a deep cough + sore throat is right in your kitchen cabinet. But you probably already knew that! Many families use honey to ward off colds and sore throats because it’s use is proven to help these symptoms. In clinical studies, honey was as effective as a commonly used cough suppressant ingredient, dextromethorphan, which is found in typical over-the-counter cough medicine. trusted study source. Honey is usually readily available and delicious, so why not give it a shot?
You can also make these using the herbal thieves blend for extra supprort. Find my recipe for thieves honey spoons here.
Frequently asked questions:
How do I store them when they're done?
The honey lollipops will be slightly sticky, like any hard candy would be. I personally store all of ours in a storage container in the fridge for up to three months.
How do I individually wrap them for gifting?
You can use beeswax wrap. They would work perfectly cut into small squares and wrapped around the pop. If you plan to do this as a party favor, use new fresh beeswax wraps! And candy wrappers work best in my experience.
How long do they keep for?
Store up to one month at room temperature. Or up to three months in the refrigerator. Or up to six months in the freezer.
Can I freeze these honey candies?
Yes. I would individually wrap each pop to prevent freezer burn.
Can I add or omit anything from the recipe?
Absolutely. Cream of tartar is helpful, but not necessary. And you can add any flavors you want in these all natural lollipops!
Variation inspiration:
- Add lemon and ginger for a sore throat lollipop / cough drop
- Add some infused honey, like lilac infused honey or floral infused honey for additional flavor
- Add some edible flowers in your lollipop mold for beautiful edible flower lollipops
How to make honey spoons
Honey tea spoons are incredibly easy, only require two ingredients and are so versatile. They can be used as a party favor for the trendy "honey" party theme, they're perfect as a cough drop or sore throat remedy, and they make a perfect all natural lollipop!
Ingredients
- ¾ cup of honey
- 1 tablespoon cream of tartar
- OPTIONAL : Any add ins you desire! Examples: lemon peel, ginger, dried herbs, cinnamon, lavender, etc.
Instructions
Start by pouring your honey into your sauce pan, add in any mix ins.
Turn the heat to medium low.
Insert your candy thermometer and wait for temperature to reach 300 degrees F.
While you wait, prep your lollipop mold by inserting candy sticks.
Once honey reaches 300 degrees F, turn off heat. Stir vigorously, making sure all bubbles are gone.
Pour into lollipop mold.
Let sit for 2 hours or until candy is completely hardened.
Remove carefully from mold and enjoy!
Notes
Wrap honey spoons in candy wrapper if possible because they are sticky!
Honey spoons will stay fresh for up to one year wrapped!
Be patient, it takes a long time for the honey to reach this temperature. Don't increase your temperature quickly, or your lollipops will taste scorched.
Nutrition Information
Yield 12 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 66Total Fat 0gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 1mgCarbohydrates 18gFiber 0gSugar 17gProtein 0g
love healthy homemade lollipops? give these a try!
- Lavender honey vanilla tea spoons
- Immunity supporting thieves herbal honey tea spoons
- Healthy vegan palm oil free chocolate spoons | lollipops
Luna
Amazing recipe! I just made them, but they are a bit sticky... is normal? Thanks!
sarah
Hi Luna! I do find the lollipops are a bit sticky and will stick together if placed on top of each other, but they should be firm and solid. I hope this helps! XO
Sherry
How do you clean the pot and utensils afterwards...mine garden quickly. Also I did on med. Low but honey turned dark at 300. I have a flattop stove which is hard to regulate.
sarah
This is a great question! Boil some water in your pot, and stick your utensils in to allow the honey to get hot and it will then be easy to pour into drain, and clean off residual when pot is cool enough to handle. Depending on the type I've used, My honey spoons do get a bit darker, but not scorched at 300. I hope they were okay for you!