Hershey Hugs Bees

hershey hug kisses make up the backsides of these delicious bees. (charlotte ekker wiggins photo)

Hershey Hug Bees

Fun little sweet something for that special beekeeping club meeting or beekeeper on your gift list.. This is my honeybee treat invention using Hershey Hugs:

Remove papers from Hershey Hugs.

Drain maraschino cherries on paper towels.

Heat white chocolate in microwave covered dish in microwave until melted; 1.5-2 minutes on high. Every microwave heats differently so try it first in 30 second increments until you know how long it takes for your microwave.

Spread melted white chocolate on Hershey Hug bottom; add two almond slivers for wings. Allow to dry.

Stick maraschino cherry with a toothpick; dip in melted chocolate and place on wax paper.

Place cookie sheet in refrigerator until cherries and chocolate are firm or wait 10-15 minutes for the white chocolate to dry.

Spread more melted chocolate on Hershey Hug with almond slivers; attach flat side of chocolate-covered maraschino cherry to the flat end of Hershey Hug. Allow to dry.

Break toothpicks into 3 pieces; stick two through top for antenna. Toothpicks also work well as holders to pick up bees as finger food.

Add two dots of black icing for eyes. You can also use melted dark chocolate dots for eyes.  Allow to dry. 

Store in sealed container until serving.

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Charlotte

Spiced Honey Pears

BAked homegrown bartlett pears ready to grace any table. (charlotte ekekr wiggins photo)

Spiced Honey Pears Recipe

I never know from year to year whether squirrels will leave me any homegrown Bartlett pears. This year they were generous so I will once again enjoy a crop of pears my bees and wasps pollinated earlier this spring.

Not sure when to pick the pears? Here’s a quick tip.

bees and wasps pollinated my semi-dwarf pear tree. (charlotte ekker wiggins photo)

It’s been a banner honey year so I will also have some honey I can use in cooking. What a treat to have two products from my pollinators, pears and honey.

Spiced Honey Pears Recipe

You Need:

8 pears peeled, cored and cut in half, preferably green.

1/3 cup honey

6 teaspoons unsalted butter

2 teaspoons pumpking pie spice

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

key ingredients for spiced honey pears include local honey and pumpkin pie spice. (charlotte ekker Wigigns photo)

Take your time peeling, coring and cutting pears, especially if green. Pears ripen from the inside out so green pears will work better than ripe pears.

peel, core and cut eight pears in half. (charlotte ekker wiggins photo)

To Make:

Mix ingredients except pears; microwave for 30 seconds.

Save half the sauce.

Place pear halves bottom up in a baking dish. Pour half the mixture over pears.

Bake at 400F for 30-45 minutes. Let sit for 5-10 minutes.

Drizzle rest of sauce over pears. Bake another 10 minutes or so.

you can bake on cookie sheet or covered dish. (charlotte ekker wiggins photo)

I turned the pear halves over during the rest period but you don’t need to do that.

Also test the pears with a fork to see that they are soft all the way through.

baked pear halves resting in between two bakes. (charlotte ekker wiggins photo)

When ready to serve and storing, pour the sauce over pears.

ready to serve as is or with a dollop of whipped cream and/or ice cream. (charlotte ekker wiggins photo)

What I like about this recipe is the pears are not too sweet so you can indulge by adding whipped topping and/or ice cream. Just as good the next day in case you want to make this recipe ahead for dinner.

Great way to enjoy two bee-produced products. Thank you, bees!

Charlotte