Lembas Bread from Lord of the Rings Recipe
Introduction
Lembas Bread is a delightful treat inspired by the beloved world of Lord of the Rings. This sweet, spiced bread is perfect for a snack or an energizing bite on any adventure. Easy to make at home, it captures the magic of Middle-earth in every bite.

Ingredients
- 2 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1⁄2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1⁄2 cup butter, room temperature
- 1⁄3 cup brown sugar
- 2⁄3 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1⁄2 teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220°C) and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- Step 2: Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg together in a large bowl.
- Step 3: Add the butter and brown sugar, then beat with an electric mixer on low to medium speed until the mixture becomes crumbly.
- Step 4: Pour in the heavy cream, honey, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Mix with a fork until a thick dough forms.
- Step 5: Lightly flour a surface and roll the dough to about 1/2 inch thickness. Cut into 3-inch squares and place them on the prepared cookie sheet.
- Step 6: Use a knife to carve two shallow diagonal lines crossing each square to form an “X” on each piece.
- Step 7: Bake for 12 minutes until the bread is set and golden. Allow to cool completely before serving.
Tips & Variations
- Substitute half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a heartier texture and flavor.
- For a nutty twist, add a handful of finely chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans to the dough.
- If honey is unavailable, maple syrup can be used as a natural sweetener instead.
- Make sure not to overbake; the bread should be golden but still soft inside.
Storage
Store Lembas Bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to keep it fresh and moist. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week or freeze the pieces in a sealed bag for up to 3 months. Reheat gently in a warm oven or microwave before serving.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make this recipe vegan?
You can replace the butter with a plant-based vegan butter and use a non-dairy cream alternative, such as coconut cream, to make this recipe vegan-friendly.
What makes Lembas Bread different from regular bread?
Lembas Bread is lightly sweetened with honey and spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, giving it a distinct flavor. It’s also denser and more compact, intended as a nourishing travel food in the story.
PrintLembas Bread from Lord of the Rings Recipe
Lembas Bread is a traditional Elvish shortbread from the Lord of the Rings universe. This recipe creates a fragrant, sweet and spiced bread with a tender crumb, perfect for a themed snack or a unique treat inspired by Tolkien’s lore. Made with warm spices, honey, and a hint of almond, it offers a delightful flavor and cozy texture, baked to a golden finish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 12 pieces 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Fantasy Inspired / Western
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1⁄2 teaspoon nutmeg
Wet Ingredients
- 1⁄2 cup butter, room temperature
- 1⁄3 cup brown sugar
- 2⁄3 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1⁄2 teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
- Sift Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg until evenly mixed and aerated.
- Combine Butter and Sugar: Add the softened butter and brown sugar to the dry mixture. Using an electric mixer at low to medium speed, beat the mixture until it becomes crumbly and well blended.
- Add Wet Ingredients and Form Dough: Pour in the heavy whipping cream, honey, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Mix gently with a fork until a thick, cohesive dough forms.
- Roll and Cut Dough: Lightly flour your work surface and roll the dough out to about 1/2 inch thickness. Using a knife or dough cutter, cut the dough into 3-inch squares and place them spaced evenly on the prepared cookie sheet.
- Score the Dough: Carve two shallow diagonal lines across each square from corner to corner with a sharp knife, creating an “X” pattern on top of each piece to mimic traditional Lembas bread markings.
- Bake: Bake the cut dough in the preheated oven for about 12 minutes, or until the bread is set and takes on a golden brown color at the edges.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool completely on a rack before serving. Enjoy this legendary treat fresh or store for later.
Notes
- The dough can be a bit sticky; light flouring during rolling helps prevent sticking.
- Use room temperature butter for better mixing and crumbly texture.
- Ensure the lines scored on the top are shallow to avoid cutting through the bread entirely.
- Store lembas bread in an airtight container to keep it fresh for several days.
- This recipe yields a slightly sweet and spiced bread that pairs well with tea or as a snack on-the-go.
Keywords: Lembas bread, Lord of the Rings recipe, Elven bread, spiced shortbread, fantasy food, cinnamon nutmeg bread, honey bread, Tolkien inspired recipe

