Honeycomb is one of those treats that feels like kitchen magic – a few simple ingredients bubble up into a golden, crunchy, hole-filled sweet that kids love watching (and eating) just as much as making. It’s quick, it’s fun, and it only needs a handful of store-cupboard ingredients.
Watch our video below to see exactly how it’s done, then follow the step-by-step recipe underneath. One thing to know before you start: the mixture fizzes up dramatically when the bicarbonate of soda goes in, so give the kids a heads-up so they’re not caught by surprise!
Ingredients
- 200g sugar (we use granulated, but caster sugar works too)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons golden syrup
- 3 tablespoons bicarbonate of soda
Method
- Line and grease a baking tray.
- Add the sugar, a few tablespoons of water, the golden syrup and the honey to a large saucepan and bring to the boil.
- Turn down the heat and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes, until the mixture turns a dark caramel colour. Keep stirring so it doesn’t stick, and watch it closely so it doesn’t burn.
- Once the mixture has reached the right colour, remove it from the heat.
- Working quickly, whisk in 3 teaspoons of bicarbonate of soda. The mixture will foam up dramatically – that’s exactly what you want, as it’s what gives honeycomb its bubbles.
- Pour the mixture into your prepared tray and leave it to cool completely.
- Once cooled, it will be one hard slab. Break it up into bite-sized pieces with your hands.
Fun Ways to Serve It
Once your honeycomb has cooled and been broken up, try melting some chocolate and dipping the pieces in for a homemade crunchie-bar treat. Or crush it up and stir it through vanilla ice cream for an easy sundae topping.
Top tip: Honeycomb has a habit of hardening onto your saucepan and utensils. Don’t panic – just soak them in cold water for an hour and it will dissolve away, making clean-up easy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the mixture fizz up so much?
When the bicarbonate of soda hits the hot caramel, it reacts and releases gas bubbles very quickly. This is completely normal and is exactly what creates honeycomb’s signature bubbly texture.
Is this recipe safe for kids to help with?
Younger children can help measure and mix ingredients, but the boiling sugar stage gets extremely hot, so that part is best left to an adult. Kids can get involved again once the mixture has cooled and it’s time to break up the honeycomb.
How long does homemade honeycomb keep?
Once fully cooled, store it in an airtight container away from moisture, as honeycomb can turn sticky if exposed to humidity.
Can I make this without golden syrup?
Golden syrup helps give honeycomb its texture and flavour, so we’d recommend sticking with the recipe as written for the best results.
More Family Recipes to Try
If you enjoyed this one, check out our other quick and fun recipes to make with kids, from simple no-bake treats to easy baking projects perfect for a rainy afternoon.
Have you tried making honeycomb at home? Let us know how it turned out in the comments below!
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