Hokey Pokey Mesquite Crunch Bars — New Zealand via the Feed Store

New Zealand Hokey Pokey Heaven introduced me to honeycomb that crunches like good news. I drizzle the set chocolate with mesquite-spiked caramel because terroir should travel with passport stamps.

What you'll need

• Honeycomb: ½ cup sugar, 2 tablespoons honey, 1½ teaspoons baking soda (stand back)
• 12 oz dark chocolate, melted; 2 tablespoons mesquite honey for drizzle
• Parchment-lined 8-inch square pan and a spatula with no regrets

How it comes together

1. Boil sugar and honey to hard-crack (300°F); off heat, whisk baking soda — pour fast, let cool, shatter.
2. Fold honeycomb shards into melted chocolate; spread in pan; chill till set.
3. Drizzle mesquite honey; cut bars; store cool or eat immediately like a responsible adult.

Carl says: If your kitchen smells like carnival, you did the baking soda step right.