As a big tea drinker, it’s pretty much always honey season for me. Still, I can’t help but get excited when everyone else catches the fever. There’s something magical about this time of year, as the honey cake recipes starting coming out of the recipe boxes, and the bakeries start to smell like honey challah instead of just challah (which is already a pretty great smell).

Honey is a staple in a lot of pantries, but sometimes those staples are the hardest when it comes to thinking outside the box. As always, the cure for recipe-writer’s block is a little inspiration.

Honey in Bread

Bread and honey, honey and bread. I’d get a t-shirt of them holding hands if I ever found one. When Rosh Hashanah comes around, my sister gets the piece of challah that hasn’t touched the honey, and I take the one that has a glob instead of a drizzle. But the best way to up the ante on bread and honey is to bake the honey into the bread. Try these recipes and then come back and tell me how they changed your life. And where to get that t-shirt.

Honey Challah with a Touch of Apples

Honey Whole Wheat Rolls

Halvah Braid

Honey with Fruit and Veggies

I know, fruits and veggies are nutritious the way they are and don’t really need to be jazzed up. But hey, it doesn’t hurt to try. And potatoes aren’t that nutritious to begin with anyway.

Baked Pears with Honey and Cinnamon

Honey Balsamic Carrots

Honey Roasted Red-Skinned Potatoes

Honey and Fish

This category is a personal favorite of mine. I love fish and put honey on salmon almost every week. The sweetness of honey really complements and enhances fish, making your fish dish go from pretty good to cleaning-your-plate good.

Pomegranate Honey-Glazed Salmon

Honey Garlic Gefilte Fish 

Honey and Meat

Honey works great in any marinade. It’s basically liquid sugar, which means it bakes on and creates that beautiful, shiny glaze on anything you brush it onto. You can’t go wrong with choosing a protein to baste in honey, but here are a few ideas for going very right.

Honey Barbecue Ribs

Honey and Herb Veal Roast

Red Wine and Honey Braised Brisket

Honey Orange Teriyaki and Ginger Chicken

Honey Mustard

There’s no question; honey mustard is a crowd pleaser. Sweet and tangy is an unbeatable combination, and honey mustard is the reigning queen of that flavor profile. It’s a condiment. It’s a salad dressing. It’s a marinade. The possibilities are endless, but here are some ideas to pique your interest.

Honey Mustard Appetizers:

Pistachio-Crusted Honey Mustard Salmon

Roasted Vegetable Salad with Honey Mustard Vinaigrette

Honey Mustard Pretzel Chicken Salad

Honey Mustard Sides:

Snappy Stir-Fry

Honey Mustard Cauliflower

Honey Mustard Mains:

Honey Mustard Capon Bundle

Honey Glazed Pickled Turkey Breast

Pungent Saucy Yom Tov Chicken

Apples & Honey Mustard Chicken

Honey Condiments

Why limit yourself when you can make honey- infused condiments that will go great on everything? Use these recipes in their original forms, but don’t forget that you can use the condiments on other things too: Hamburger buns, turkey sandwiches, deli roll, spoons…

Portobello Stack with Honey Balsamic Ketchup

Green Bean and Peach Salad with Honey Sriracha Dressing

Honey Balsamic Sundaes

Honey in Dessert

Having a sweet New Year is the perfect excuse to make a few desserts with honey. I don’t even think you have to choose. Just tell the family that this list of desserts is your menu. I dare anyone to tell me that’s not a good idea.

L’Kovod Yom Tov Honey Cake

Toffee Torte

Honey Surprise Ice Cream

Cinnaco Zebra Marble Cake

Honeyed Walnut Glazed Apple Cake

Kiwi Honey Lemon Pops

Toffee Pie with Coffee Hazelnut Topping

Honey for Snack

The holidays are tough; there’s almost never any food around. No, not really of course, but we’re all still guilty of scrounging around for snacks between the enormous meals. I’m no scientist, but I’m pretty sure it’s good for your metabolism. Either way, you’ve got some tasty munching to do.

Classic Granola

Honey Mustard Pretzel Bits

Whole Wheat Muffins

Honey for Tea

As I mentioned, I’m a bit of a tea addict. Sure it’s kept me off coffee all these years, but it means I’m often the only person raising her hand at the table when the host asks if anyone wants tea. Well, not all teas are created equal. This one, for example will basically take you on a tour of Morocco. Serve this and plenty of tea-drinking hands will go up around the table. The recipe says honey is optional, but I think we all know that’s not true.

Naa-Naa Moroccan Mint Tea

It’s true that you can use honey every day, but it’s not every day that you can justify using it for so many things. So take advantage of the Rosh Hashanah season and sweeten up your life! Let us know what else you like to cook or bake with honey! I’m always open to suggestions.

Check out our complete collection of Rosh Hashanah recipes for mains, sides, soups, desserts, and more inspiration for the holiday.