Midwinter Honey Recipes

Celebrate the magic of winter in Tasmania with a cosy feast in July — Melita-style!

We’ve gathered a few honey-infused seasonal recipes to warm your kitchen and your heart. From a rustic roast veggie tart and spiced cookies with our Tasmanian Leatherwood Honey to a health infused mulled cider with Manuka.

Roast Vegetable Tart with Honey, Herbs & Cheese

A hearty, rustic tart perfect for winter feasting — cheesy filling, herb roasted vegetables, and golden honey all wrapped in buttery pastry.

Ingredients

• 1 sheet of puff pastry 
• 1 zucchini, sliced
• ½ small pumpkin, peeled and cubed
• 1 red onion, sliced into wedges
• 2 parsnips, peeled & sliced 
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt & pepper, to taste
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme 
• 1 tbsp fresh rosemary 
• 1 cup ricotta
• ½ cup parmesan, grated
• 2 eggs
• 2 tbsp Melita Honey (Yellowbox for mild, Leatherwood for bold or Chili for spice)
  

Method

1. Preheat oven to 200°C (fan forced).
2. Toss the veg with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a lined tray and roast for 30 minutes or until tender and golden.
3. Combine the egg, ricotta, parmesan and half of the herbs in a bowl.
4. Place the pastry in a pie dish or cast iron skillet so it covers the base and edges, roughly fold in/press any pastry that goes over the walls. Spread the egg/cheese/herb mixture in a layer on the base then pile the roasted vegetables on top and sprinkle remaining herbs.
5. Bake for 15 minutes at 200°C, then reduce to 180°C for 25-30 mins or until the pastry looks lightly browned.
6. Top with a generous drizzle of honey. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Honey & Ginger Spiced Cookies

Soft, warmly spiced cookies perfect for gifting, decorating, or enjoying with a cup of tea.
Makes: 20–24 cookies

Ingredients

• 100g unsalted butter, softened
• 110g Melita Leatherwood Honey
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
• 1 large egg
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups plain flour
• ½ cup almond flour
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground cloves
• Pinch of salt
  
  

Method

1. Cream butter and sugar together until light. Beat in honey and egg until smooth. Stir in ginger.
2. Sift in flours, baking soda, powder, and spices. Mix to form a dough. Chill for 1 hour.
3. Preheat oven to 175°C (350°C). Roll dough to 5mm thickness. Cut into shapes using cookie cutters.
4. Place on lined baking trays and bake for 8–10 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden.
5. Let cool on tray for 5 minutes before transferring to wire rack. Decorate with icing if desired.

Tip: These cookies stay soft thanks to the honey and are perfect for winter gifting!

Honey Mulled Cider 

A comforting mug of gently spiced, non-alcoholic cider sweetened with Tasmanian Manuka honey — perfect for one or two.

Makes: 1 large or 2 small mugs, recipe can be doubled of course
Made with: Melita Manuka Honey

Ingredients

• 1 x 355ml can non-alcoholic apple cider
• 1–2 tsp Melita Manuka Honey (to taste)
• 2 slices orange
• 2 whole cloves
• 1 small cinnamon stick
• 1 star anise
  
  

Method

1. In a small saucepan, combine cider, orange, cloves, cinnamon, and star anise.
2. Warm gently over low heat for 10–15 minutes. Do not boil.
3. Remove from heat and stir in honey just before serving.
4. Strain into a mug and garnish with a fresh orange slice or cinnamon stick.

We hope you enjoy these recipes! Make sure to leave a comment if you try them :-)