The Hobbit Inspired: Beorn's Honey Cakes

The Hobbt: Beorn's Honey Cakes

As most Tolkien fans know, The Battle of the Five Armies came out on DVD and Blu-ray last week and to be honest, it's a bit bittersweet.  I've been waiting for this release for so long!! I've made sure to savor each moment knowing it's getting closer and closer to the end but after watching the final movie in theaters, I knew that the release of the blu-ray would be one of the last highly anticipated moments in my life.  At last, here we are.  To celebrate the release of the movie, I've decided to make a cake after one of my most highly anticipated characters to see on scene. 

Beorn hated orcs and was distrustful of strangers but his heart was a good.  Beornings were the men of the Vales of Anduin and they were famous for their baking.  Beorn's honey cakes were mentioned in The Lord Of The Rings by Gimli when he compared the famous lembas to honey cakes.  

 ‘Why it is better than the honey-cakes of the Beornings, and that is great praise, for the Beornings are the best bakers that I know of; but they are none too willing to deal out their cakes to travellers in these days. You are kindly hosts!’

The making of these was one of his secrets; but honey was in them, as in most of his foods, and they were good to eat, though they made one thirsty….

Beorn's Honey Cakes, Inspired by the The Hobbit

yield: 1 - 8" round      prep time: 15-20minutes     bake time: 25 minutes

• 200g all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• pinch of salt
• 6 oz cream
• 1 egg
• 5 oz honey
• 100g finely chopped walnuts

1. Preheat your oven to 350F and lightly grease an 8" cake round or a 9x5" loaf pan.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine your cream, honey, and egg. Wisk together until emulsified.
3. In another bowl, sift together your flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
4. In three additions, fold your flour into the wets with a spatula.
5. On your last addition, add the finely chopped walnuts in with the flour and fold just until you no longer see any flour spots.
6. Pour the batter into the lightly greased pan and bake for approximately 25-30 minutes.
7. Stick a wooden skewer into the center of the cake and if it comes out clean, it is then cooked through.
8. Let it cool and serve warm with a nice cup of tea. You'll never know when a group of hobbits might be barging into your home so keep this recipe at hand.

Quick side note, I hope those with San Diego Comic Con tickets were able to book hotels this past week. I unfortunately was unable to book a hotel but quickly found an apartment through Airbnb.  Hotelpacalypse has been real but I hope all has worked out. Good luck everyone!