Lembas Bread from Lord of the Rings
Delicate, lightly spiced, and kissed with hints of honey and vanilla, this buttery lembas bread tastes like a warm hug from an elf—if the elf also owned a charming little bakery in Lothlórien. Inspired by Tolkien's iconic bread, it's a cross between a tender shortbread and a biscuit, with cinnamon and nutmeg aromas that fill your kitchen with Rivendell magic. Perfect for tea time, hiking snacks, or cozy at-home adventures!
12
squares
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp (4 g) baking powder
- 1/2 tsp (2 g) baking soda
- 1/2 tsp (3 g) salt
- 1 tsp (2.5 g) ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp (1 g) ground nutmeg
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter room temperature
- 1/2 cup (100 g) light brown sugar packed
- 1/3 cup (80 ml) heavy whipping cream
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) honey
- 1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) almond extract
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Rolling Pin
- Sharp knife
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, sift (or whisk) together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Add the brown sugar and pieces of room temperature butter to the dry mix. Using a mixer on low-to-medium speed, blend until the mixture looks crumbly and soft like streusel.
- Add heavy cream, honey, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Switch to a fork and gently mix until the dough comes together; it should be thick but not sticky.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to about ½ inch (1.25 cm) thick. Cut into 3-inch squares. Use a sharp knife to lightly score an “X” on top of each square, without cutting all the way through.
- Place squares on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each. Bake for 12 minutes, or until edges are golden and tops are set. Cool completely before enjoying your elven snack!
Notes
Storage: Store cooled lembas bread in an airtight container for up to 4–5 days. Freeze baked or unbaked squares for longer storage. Thaw at room temp or reheat briefly in the microwave.
Variations: Add orange zest for brightness, swap honey with maple syrup for deeper sweetness, use coconut cream for dairy-free, or fold in chopped nuts for crunch.
Serving: Perfect with tea, coffee, milk, fruit, or as an adventurous snack!
Variations: Add orange zest for brightness, swap honey with maple syrup for deeper sweetness, use coconut cream for dairy-free, or fold in chopped nuts for crunch.
Serving: Perfect with tea, coffee, milk, fruit, or as an adventurous snack!
Nutrition
Calories: 195kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 26mg | Sodium: 126mg | Potassium: 45mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 320IU | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 0.8mg