Seed Cakes from The Hobbit

A little beer would suit me better, if it is all the same to you, my good sir,' said Balin with the white beard. 'But I don't mind some cake - seed cake, if you have any.' 'Lots!' Bilbo found himself answering, to his surprise; and he found himself scuttling off, to, the cellar to fill a pint beer-mug, and then to a pantry to fetch two beautiful round seedcakes which he had baked that afternoon for his after-supper morsel.

J.R.R. Tolkien The Hobbit

These seed cakes might not have come from Bilbo's pantry, but they look like they might have!!!

I based this recipe off of a traditional sweet bread, so they're a bit tart and a little dense - like old fashioned loaves (so they really do have a bit of a hobbit-y feel to them!)

Bilbo's Seed Cakes

makes: 7-8 mini loaves

Ingredients:

• 180g unsalted butter

• 180g granulated sugar

• 3 eggs

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 large lemon zest

• 150g all purpose flour

• 2 tsp baking powder

• 1 tsp salt

• 200g almond meal

• ¼ cup poppy seeds

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 175°C. Prepare a mini loaf pan.

2. Mix melted butter and sugar together until pale. Add the lemon zest and vanilla extract and mix well.

3. Whisk the eggs together in a separate bowl and then add it to the butter mixture.

4. Add the almond meal in two batches, mixing well in between.

5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt and baking powder. Add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture in four batches - making sure everything is fully incorporated in between each batch.

6. Add the poppy seeds and scoop the mixture into the loaf pan - making sure each indent is about two-thirds full. Bake for about half an hour - or until the little loaves are nicely golden across the top.

7. Allow the loaves to cool completely before serving. I quite like to pour a little golden syrup across the top to moisten and sweeten the crust. I also sometimes serve these with cream and/or jam - it's totally up to you!

So, enjoy your elevenses (and maybe even a little extra), and don't forget to tag me if you post any pics of these cakes so I can see how delicious they look!!!

If you have any comments, questions or requests for future themed recipes - don't hesitate to get in touch with me!

Until next time, happy adventuring!!!