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Try these treats buzzing with a taste of honey

Sweeten up your meal with ‘the nectar of the gods.’ Executive chef David Guas shares some yummy desserts. Check out the recipes

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Honey sweetened desserts
March 31: The "Today" show's Al Roker talks with David Gaus, pastry chef of DC Coast Restaurant, as he prepares exotic desserts sweetened with spring honey.

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updated 12:37 p.m. ET March 31, 2006

With more than 300 varieties available in the United States alone, fresh spring honey can satisfy anyone's sweet tooth. David Guas, the executive pastry chef at several D.C. restaurants including the newly opened Acadiana, shares some luscious desserts.

Crispy Phyllo Fig Wraps
David Guas

Yields 9 pieces

These crispy treats are a mixture of figs, honey, and other sweet and savory ingredients, all wrapped up in phyllo dough. They are perfect for a dessert buffet or as an individually plated dessert.

INGREDIENTS

1.5 pounds dried black mission figs, destemmed and sliced in half
1 tablespoon grated orange zest (zest of approximately one-third of an orange)
.25 cup honey
.5 cup whole pistachios, pre-roasted
2 teaspoons orange juice
.5 teaspoon rose water
3 sheets phyllo dough
.5 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons granulated sugar, to sprinkle on top

Recipe continues below ↓
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DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Combine prepared figs, orange zest, honey, pistachios, orange juice, and rose water in a mixing bowl, folding with a rubber spatula until all ingredients are completed mixed. Place half of the mixture in a food processor and pulse until fairly smooth paste is achieved. Empty food processor contents into a bowl and repeat with the other half. Reserve filling.
Place one sheet of phyllo on a dry flat work surface and brush with melted butter. Top with an additional sheet of phyllo and brush with melted butter. Cut dough in thirds width-wise and then in half length-wise; resulting 6 pieces should be about 5 inches long. Place approximately 3 tablespoons of filling on each cut piece. Filling should be spread to the edges of the length of dough on nearest third of each cut piece. Dip your hands in water and roll each piece of dough into a cigar shape. With remaining sheet of phyllo, brush half of its length with melted butter.  Fold unbuttered phyllo over buttered dough. Cut in thirds width-wise. Fill and rough as before.  Place wraps on a parchment lined baking sheet. Brush each wrap lightly with melted butter and sprinkle lightly with granulated sugar. Bake in preheated oven for approximately 20-25 minutes, until golden brown.

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Honey-Nut Crackle
David Guas

Yields 6-8 pieces

This recipe, featuring clover honey, sliced almonds, and corn flakes, is fun for kids to cook and snack on. The recipe yields enough for 6-8 small hands.

INGREDIENTS

1 cup sliced almonds, lightly toasted
.25 cup clover honey
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 pinch salt
2.5 cups corn flakes

DIRECTIONS

Combine almonds, honey, butter, and salt in a 10-inch sauté pan over medium heat. Stirring constantly, cook until almonds and honey begin to take on an amber color. Remove from heat and stir in corn flakes. Pour out onto a parchment lined baking sheet and allow to cool approximately 5-10 minutes. Store in air-tight container for up to 3-4 days.

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Warm Torrejas and Nicaraguan Mombacho Honey
David Guas

Yields 12-14 slices or 6-7 servings

This Latin dessert is reminiscent of French toast. The torrejas are served warm and topped with powdered sugar and Nicaraguan Mombacho honey.

INGREDIENTS

4 each whole eggs, large Grade A
1 teaspoon ground canela (ground cinnamon may be substituted)
.5 cup plus 2 tablespoons powdered sugar (divided)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
.25 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons Flor de Caña rum (any dark rum may be substituted)
.25 cup milk
1 cup heavy cream
1 loaf Cuban-style bread, at least 18 inches long (best results if bread is a couple of days old but still store-wrapped or covered)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
.5 cup Nicaraguan Mombacho honey

DIRECTIONS

In a mixing bowl, combine eggs, canela, .5 cup sugar, vanilla, salt and rum. Whisk with a whip until all ingredients come together, approximately 30 seconds. Add milk and cream and whisk an additional 30 seconds until all ingredients come together. Reserve batter at room temperature while preparing the bread.
Cut the bread on the bias into 1-inch pieces, with length not exceeding 5 inches. Place butter in a 12-inch sauté pan over medium heat. Allow the pan to heat for approximately 1-2 minutes. Completely submerge the bread in the reserved batter for approximately 30 seconds; if the bread is oversoaked, the resulting torrejas will be mushy and undercooked. Place the soaked bread in the pan and allow the bread to brown, approximately 1-2 minutes per side, until dark golden brown. Place the torrejas on a plate or serving tray. Sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar using a metal mesh sifter. Top with Nicaraguan honey.

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