“‘I thought it was only a kind of cram, such as the Dalemen made for journeys into the wild,’ said the Dwarf.
‘So it is,’ they answered, ‘But we call it lembas or way bread, and it is more strengthening than any food made by Men, and it is more pleasant than cram, by all accounts.’ “
The Fellowship of the Ring by JRR Tolkien
Recipes from Middle Earth
Embark on a culinary journey through Tolkien’s world with this homage to Elven fare. Lembas bread, the sustaining Elvish waybread, is renowned for its ability to fill the stomach of even the heartiest travelers with just one small bite. Recreating this ancient recipe brings forth the magic of Middle Earth right into your kitchen.
Lembas Step by Step
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon (or more to taste)
1 teaspoon honey
2/3 cup heavy cream or milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
Preheat: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Mix Butter, Sugar, Cinnamon and Honey: In a separate bowl, cream together the butter, sugar, cinnamon and honey until smooth.
Add Wet Ingredients: Stir in the milk and vanilla extract into the butter mixture until well combined.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Slowly add the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Mix until a dough forms.
Roll Out Dough: Roll the dough out on a floured surface until it’s around 1/2 inch thick.
Cut into Squares or Triangles: Use a knife to cut the dough into small squares or triangles, approximately 3 inches each.
Bake: Place the cut pieces onto the prepared baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.
Cool: Allow the elvish bread to cool completely on a wire rack.
Lembas Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon or more to taste
- 1 tsp honey
- 2/3 cup heavy cream or milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
- Cream butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and honey in a separate bowl.
- Mix in heavy cream and vanilla extract into butter mixture.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients to form a dough.
- Roll out dough on a floured surface to 1/2 inch thickness.
- Cut into small squares or triangles. Use a knife to make an "x" imprint on each square.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.
- Cool on a wire rack.
“One Small Bite”
As you savor this elven bread, let its subtle sweetness and hearty texture transport you to the forests of Lothlórien or the undying lands of Valinor. Each bite encapsulates the essence of Elvish craftsmanship and the enduring spirit of Middle Earth. Share it with fellow travelers and immerse yourselves in the wonder of Tolkien’s realm, one morsel at a time.