2 Sweet Honey Recipes! Baked Chicken Thighs & Honey Cake

These two recipes bring out the best in raw honey with rich flavor, warm spices, and easy-going prep. Perfectly suited for paleo, gluten-free, and dairy-free diets, they offer sweet and savory options that feel special without being complicated.

First, a Spiced Gluten-Free Honey Cake with Honey Butter, full of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and citrus, that works beautifully for dessert, breakfast, or snack. Second, a Honey-Baked Chicken Thighs dish that balances sweet, tangy sauce with tender roasted chicken—ideal for dinners where you want something more exciting than the usual.

Both recipes let raw honey shine—adding natural sweetness and depth—while staying clean and nourishing. They allow you to enjoy indulgence without compromise.

Honey Cake with Honey Butter Recipe

This mouthwatering treat is sure to be a crowd pleaser—better yet, it’s gluten- and dairy-free. Though warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg evoke feelings of holiday cheer, this loaf is enjoyable year-round. If desired, you can substitute two cups of Paleo Flour for the almond, tapioca, and coconut flour. If you want some extra crunch, add in a half-cup of toasted, chopped nuts to the batter. To ensure all of the ingredients blend well, use room-temperature eggs.

Recipe Details

Yield: 5 to 6 servings
Active Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 60 minutes

Recipe Ingredients

For the loaf:

• 1 ½ cups Almond Flour
• ½ cup Tapioca Flour
• ¼ cup Coconut Flour
• 1 teaspoon Baking Powder (gluten-free)
• 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon Baking Soda
• ½ teaspoon Ground Cardamom
• ½ teaspoon Ground Ginger
• ½ teaspoon Sea Salt
• ¼ teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
• 4 Eggs, Room Temperature
• ⅔ cup Raw Honey
• ¼ cup Coconut Oil, Melted
• Zest and juice of 1 orange (about ¼ cup)

For the honey butter:

• 8 ounces Non-dairy Butter, Softened
• 2 tablespoons Raw Honey
• Optional: ¼ teaspoon Cayenne (a pinch)

Recipe Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325 °F. Spray a 9×5 loaf pan with cooking spray and line it with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together almond flour, tapioca flour, coconut flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, cardamom, ginger, salt, and nutmeg.
3. In another bowl, whisk eggs. Add raw honey, melted coconut oil, orange zest, and orange juice; whisk to combine.
4. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir with a rubber spatula until just combined.
5. Pour batter into prepared pan, bake for 40-45 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
6. While bread bakes, make the honey butter by mixing softened non-dairy butter, raw honey, and optional cayenne.
7. Once loaf is done, let it cool. Serve with the honey butter.

---

Honey-Baked Chicken Thighs (Paleo, Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free)

This savory and sweet paleo dish pairs a classic protein with the buttery sweetness of our Thrive Market Avocado Honey, topping it off with a delicious spice mix. While this hearty recipe may be straightforward, it’s anything but bland.

Recipe Details

Yields: 4 servings
Prep time: 15 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes

Recipe Ingredients

For the chicken:

• 8 Chicken Thighs, bone-in and skin-on
• ½ teaspoon Sea Salt
• ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
• ½ teaspoon Ground Cumin
• 1 tablespoon Avocado Oil

For the sauce:

• ½ cup Raw Honey
• ¼ cup Coconut Aminos (or Soy Sauce if not strictly paleo)
• ¼ cup Balsamic Vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Toasted Sesame Oil
• ½ teaspoon Ground Ginger
• ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 1 teaspoon Red Chili Flakes (optional, for heat)
• Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

Recipe Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 °F.
2. Season each chicken thigh with salt, pepper, and cumin.
3. Heat avocado oil in an ovenproof skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chicken thighs skin-side down. Cook until skin is dark golden brown, about 5-7 minutes. Flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes. If there is excess oil, remove some with paper towels.
4. Meanwhile, in a bowl whisk together sauce ingredients: raw honey, coconut aminos, balsamic vinegar, sesame oil, ground ginger, garlic powder, and chili flakes (if using).
5. Pour sauce over chicken thighs in skillet. Transfer skillet (or Dutch oven) to the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, until cooked through.
6. Remove from oven, let rest about 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro before serving.

Complimentary Appetizers

• Crudité Platter with Tahini-Lemon Dip — fresh vegetables help open the palate.
• Roasted Red Pepper Soup Shooters — warm, lightly spiced, and harmony with honey’s sweetness.
• Stuffed Dates with Almonds & Herbs — sweet, savory, and elegant finger food.

Side Dishes that Match Well

• Roasted Root Vegetables with Rosemary — savory and hearty sides.
• Garlic Sautéed Greens (kale or spinach) — bright and leafy to lighten the spread.
• Herbed Quinoa Salad with Lemon & Parsley — light and zesty, gluten-free grain option.

Occasions & Events Perfect for These Recipes

1. Weekend brunches
2. Holiday gatherings
3. Potlucks where guests have dietary restrictions
4. Family dinners calling for something special
5. Meal prep for sweet and savory balance
6. Outdoor entertaining or dinner parties
7. Gift loaves or sharing platters
8. Comfort meals with clean ingredients

Recipes by Angela Gaines