The next time you go on a hike, make some of this lembas bread from Lord of the Rings.
After all, “one small bite is enough to fill the stomach of a grown man!”
Okay, maybe that’s a stretch. Without the magic of the Elves, this stuff won’t fill you up for a long day on your feet.
But who cares? It’s super fun and a must-make for my fellow Middle-Earthers.
Sweet, crisp, and long-lasting, Elven lembas bread is the kind of thing you should make for road trips and camping adventures.
It won’t last for months, but it will last for a while and should fill you up when it’s time for elevenses.
Of course, you can also make Lembas bread from Lord of the Rings and serve it for afternoon tea at home.
I can’t wait to share this recipe with you, so let’s get started!
Elven Lembas Bread Recipe from The Lord of The Rings
It’s been ages since the release of the Lord of The Rings films.
But since the prequel series came out, I’ve been reliving the good old days and binging the movies.
And in doing so, I decided to finally recreate the Elven bread used to fuel the Fellowship.
While it’s a completely fictional recipe, I used the book’s descriptions and how it looked on screen to make something I think is pretty similar.
It should be golden on the outside, cream-colored in the middle, and shaped into thin, crispy cakes.
And unlike other crispbreads, it should taste sweet and pleasant.
Though I’m biased, I think I nailed it.
So, if you want to go on a culinary journey to Middle Earth, there’s only one thing to do: make lembas bread!
What Is Lembas Bread?
Lembas bread is a fictional Elven cake invented by J. R. R. Tolkien in his Lord of the Rings books.
The name roughly translates to “journey bread,” and according to the books, it was created by a valar (a god) named Yavanna.
Per the books, “one small bite will fill the stomach of a grown man.”
It’s described in the novels as “very thin cakes, made of meal,” which many people assume to be corn (maize).
According to Tolkien, lembas bread contains honey, and the “Fruit of the Mallorn tree” described as a “round nut with a silver shale.”
Meanwhile, the description of its longevity has led many to assume lembas is similar to “hard tack,” a simple mix of flour and water.
Tack was a ridiculously tough, dry, bland bread from Newfoundland designed to last long months at sea.
That’s why Frodo and Sam’s looked very dry and crumbly in the films.
Needless to say, creating something hard and hearty yet tasty was a struggle. But I got there in the end!
Lembas Bread Ingredients
While this recipe is otherworldly, you don’t need hard-to-find ingredients to make it. In fact, I’m pretty you have all of these on hand:
- All-Purpose Flour – the base of any bread in both earths – regular or middle.
- Baking Powder – the leavening agent that’ll make the bread rise.
- Salt – a bit of saltiness to enhance the bread’s flavor.
- Butter – for richness and also moisture.
- Brown Sugar – to sweeten the bread.
- Cinnamon – to add a bit of warmth.
- Honey – another sweetener.
- Heavy Whipping Cream – it helps moisten the bread.
- Vanilla Extract – flavor enhancer.
How to Wrap Lembas Bread
If you’re really going for the full LOTR experience, wrapping lembas bread in leaves is a must.
Here are some leaves you can use:
- Collard greens
- Banana leaves
Tip: When using fresh leaves, be sure that you do so within the same day.
- Silk floral leaves (from crafts and floral shops)
- Craft foam (DIY)
Tip: when using artificial leaves, wrap the lembas bread in plastic wrap first as a safety measure.
Either way, use twine to secure the wrappings.
More Hobbit-Approved Treats You’ll Love
Keebler Bars
Fruitcake Cookies
Nanaimo Bars
Homemade Toffee Recipe
Lembas Bread From Lord of the Rings
5
minutes12
minutesThe next time you go hiking, make this lembas bread from Lord of the Rings. After all, “one small bite is enough to fill the stomach of a grown man!”
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon honey
2/3 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220°C) and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl.
- Add the butter to the dry, and carefully beat it with an electric mixer at low-medium speed. Add the sugar and cinnamon, then beat until well combined.
- Pour the cream, honey, and vanilla into the bowl and mix with a fork until a thick dough is formed.
- Roll the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/2 inch thick. Cut it into 3-inch squares and place the portions on the cookie sheet.
- Carve two shallow diagonal lines from one corner to another with a knife to form an “x”.
- Bake for 12 minutes until the bread is set and golden. Let the bread cool completely before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for 5-7 days.
So good! Made if for a Lord of the Rings movie marathon with some friends. Wondering if you need to refrigerate the bread due to the heavy cream?
Hi Lauren! Aren’t these great?! What a fun way to celebrate the trilogy. Since you’re baking them, you don’t need to keep them in the fridge. Just store them (when cold) in an airtight container. They should be fine for 5-7 days. That’s enough time for Frodo to meet Aragorn and get stabbed by the Witch King!