Flavor Profile: What's the buzz in the Honey Lux?

As part of our blog posts, we would like to highlight our different flavors and what they’re about on our menu. Part of our goal is also to talk about the importance of where our food comes from, and how it plays a key role in our final product. While we’re far from being food experts or scientists, our hope is that Crumbles can do its part in spreading awareness about how small businesses can play a role in supporting communities by buying local and sustainable products whenever possible.

So, back to the cupcake at hand! In the spotlight this time is our Honey Lux. Sara was the first to try out the honey cupcake, pairing it with a light and fluffy lemon cream cheese icing. Since then, it has become one of our most requested flavors, and has earned a permanent spot on our menu. Our Honey Lux is a sweet, spiced cake - melding together flavors of cinnamon, cloves and allspice, with a touch of citrus in the mix. It is, well….frankly speaking, nothing short of luxurious.

The honey is the key ingredient for this cake to stay sweet and moist, and it takes on a warm, fragrant flavor in combination with the spices. Honey, (for both its sweetening and taste properties) has been used for centuries in baking, dating all the way back to ancient Egypt. Honey cake is also a traditional dessert served during Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year and popular in many cultures around the world to celebrate holidays and special occasions.

Today, honey is used in everything from cakes and ice cream, to beer and barbeque sauce. In recent years, there has been attention around the plight of honeybees dwindling in numbers, and their importance to our environment and food systems. Companies such as Häagen-Dazs have launched websites like Help the Honeybees, which encourage people to support their local beekeepers and plant gardens. They also have a partnership with the University of Pennsylvania and UC Davis, which house research facilities on honeybees. It’s amazing to think one small insect can make such a difference in our entire food system – as bakers and lovers of all food fresh and delicious, we have a whole new appreciation for these little guys! Additionally, the U.S. is one of the leading producers of honey, and in Michigan alone, over 5 million pounds of honey are produced every year! According to the Michigan Department of Agriculture, this makes us the 9th largest producer of honey in the country.

So how can you do your part in supporting local, and also indulging in some of this delectable golden nectar? For delicious local Grade A honey, try Risk’s Apiary & Honey House in Laingsburg, MI (517.651.9842). You can also check out where some of your local honey producers are by state or just stop by your local farmer’s market to see what all the buzz is about!