Discover how to make your own spiced cinnamon honey that's perfect for favors, Valentines, or stocking stuffers!
When I was a kid, my mom and I would set up a special night to hand make Valentines. We'd use red, pink, and white cardstock, glue sticks, and paper doilies to create handmade Valentines instead of buying them at the store.
Today I'm sharing DIY spiced cinnamon honey favors that would be really cute as Valentines or favors at a DIY wedding, shower, or other party. The honey is super tasty and the project is simple, so I hope you enjoy.
The spiced cinnamon honey does not, of course, have to be divided up and given away! You can totally make a jar just for yourself. Either way, the basic process is the same. The easiest way takes at least two weeks of lead time, but you can also make this spiced honey a 'quick' way.
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Materials needed for DIY spiced cinnamon honey favors
- Honey! I highly recommend finding local honey, if at all possible
- A pint canning jar (you can make more, but my spice measurements are based on a pint jar)
- Cloves (about 12 whole cloves)
- Food-grade cinnamon sticks, 4-6. Please make sure they're fresh or your honey won't be as flavorful.
- Food grade lemon oil/essential oil (optional but delicious!)
- Small jars for making favors. You can use 4 oz jelly jars or even smaller jars, like these 1.5 ounce jars I used
- Mini honey dippers (optional but super cute!)
- Twine, ribbon, etc. to decorate
- Instant read or candy thermometer (only for the 'quick' method)
- Fine mesh strainer (optional but helpful)
How to make spiced cinnamon honey
First, I highly recommend that you sterilize your jars! You'll want to sterilize your pint jar before making the spiced honey and then sterilize the smaller jars before dividing it up. The Tough Cookie has a great post on multiple ways to sterilize glass jars. Please check it out!
For the "slow"/easier version of the project, add about 12 whole cloves and 4-6 (I used 5!) sticks of culinary cinnamon to your sterilized pint jar.
Add honey until the jar is full, but not overflowing. If desired, add in 5-10 drops of lemon oil. I don't really recommend adding lemon zest or slices of lemon because of all the wax and pesticides on most lemons today.
Close up your jar and stash it somewhere cool and dark, like a cabinet or your pantry.
Every day or so, flip the jar over. The cinnamon will try to float within the honey, so turning will keep the honey mixing around the cinnamon so it all gets nice and tasty!
The longer you let the honey sit, the stronger it will become. I recommend letting it rest for 2-3 weeks for deliciously flavorful honey!
For the "quick" method of making spiced honey:
Set up a double boiler with two pans or a pan & a bowl. Add the honey and spices to the inner pan and heat over medium low to a temperature of 180ºF - 185ºF. Do not let it boil!
Hold this temperature, turning down the stove's heat slightly if necessary, for 10 minutes.
For either method of making infused honey:
Sterilize your small jars! This is especially important if you are making favors or gifts for others.
Either fish out the spices with clean utensils or strain it through a mesh kitchen strainer.
Tie on a cute ribbon, twine, or tag. I added cute mini honey dippers.
Share the love! Enjoy giving out your spiced honey favors. =)
Did you create homemade Valentines as a kid? Do you still hand make cards today? (I know at least a few of you create really beautiful handmade cards!)
Duni
I love these! The mini honey dippers are adorable 🙂
Natashalh
They are so cute! I felt bad when I used one and actually got honey on it because it's so adorable.
Sarah Leonard
I love this idea - I love to create infusions. It's so simple and yet makes the ordinary extra-ordinary 🙂
Natashalh
That is a fantastic way to put it! I like your phrasing. =)