Every year, as summer winds down and harvest season arrives, a special gourmet treat makes its way to our tables: honey!
Late summer and early fall are when many beekeepers harvest their honey. As local flowers begin to fade and bees bring less nectar back to the hive, inside the combs are filled with a rich, golden goodness—making it the perfect time for harvesting!
Local honey is a delicious treat for the whole family. Kids especially love its sweet, sticky texture drizzled over everything from toast and oatmeal to fresh bananas and apples. Why not take it one step further? Get the kids into the kitchen, talk about where honey comes from while whipping up a few seasonal-inspired treats!
Oven Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots
This makes a nice side dish or even a delicious snack for kids!
Ingredients
- 1 pound of carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch sticks
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- 3 tablespoons honey
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Whisk the olive oil, melted butter, honey, cinnamon, ginger, salt and pepper in a large bowl.
- Add the carrots to the bowl and toss until they are fully coated.
- Spread the carrots across the baking sheet in a single layer.
- Roast for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring halfway through, until tender and caramelized.
- Serve warm.
Peanut Butter Yogurt Honey Dip
Slice some apples or pears—even bananas work well for tiny hands. Dip and enjoy!
Ingredients
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- ⅓ cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Add the Greek yogurt, peanut butter, honey, vanilla extract and cinnamon to a medium mixing bowl.
- Whisk vigorously for 1 to 2 minutes until the peanut butter is completely blended into the yogurt and the mixture is fluffy.
- Transfer the dip to a serving bowl.
- Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to thicken.
Whipped Pumpkin Spice Honey Butter
This treat tastes best at room temperature and is wonderful on toast!
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
- 6 tablespoons pumpkin purée
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl using a hand mixer, beat the butter on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add the cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice and cloves and beat until combined.
- Add pumpkin purée 1 tablespoon at a time, beating after each addition until well combined and smooth.
- Add the honey and vanilla and continue to whip on medium speed until thick and fluffy, about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Store butter in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Tips for Buying Local
Check the label
- Raw: High heat may destroy beneficial enzymes, vitamins and antioxidants, so raw honey is best.
- Unfiltered: This means the honey still contains microscopic beneficial pollen. It is only strained to remove the beeswax.
- Ingredients: The only ingredient should be “honey.” Avoid any products that have added ingredients.
Examine it
- Crystallization: If a jar of honey looks cloudy, thick or has turned solid, that is an excellent sign! Real, raw honey naturally crystallizes; highly processed or watered-down honey stays liquid.
- Opacity: Raw, unfiltered honey is rarely perfectly clear. It usually looks slightly cloudy due to the natural pollen suspended inside.
- Color and Texture: High-quality honey is dense and pours slowly. If it runs as thin and fast as water, it may have been diluted or harvested too early.
Buy local
- Buy from Central Oregon farmers. Purchasing from a local farmers market or neighborhood beekeeper ensures you are getting a genuine product. It also means the honey contains local pollens, which many people use to help with seasonal allergies.
Local Beekeepers & Honey
- Broadus Bees: Passionate about why we need bees and located in Bend, Broadus Bees focuses on sustainable backyard beekeeping and produces raw whipped honey, native Bend Wildflower honey and fragrant Lavender honey.
- DD Ranch: Located in Terrebonne, DD Ranch’s honey is never pasteurized, filtered or modified in any way. They offer half pint, pint and quart jars.
- Prescott Honey: Based in Redmond, Prescott Honey manages over 200 million bees to produce 100% pure, raw, and completely unfiltered honey. Each purchase actively contributes to bee conservation efforts.
- SunLife Farm: Operating out of Prineville, SunLife Farm is a working family homestead that produces hyper-local raw high-desert honey from their on-site hives.
This article appears in Bend Nest Fall 2026.
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