Irresistible Beorn’s Spiced Mead Honey Cake: A Legendary Hobbit Treat Recipe

Introduction

Discover the enchanting flavors of Beorn’s Spiced Mead Honey Cake, a legendary treat inspired by Hobbit lore. This moist, fragrant cake combines warm spices and the subtle sweetness of mead for a truly irresistible dessert.

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups (210g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup (120ml) buttermilk
• 1/2 cup (120ml) mead (or apple juice/chamomile tea)
• 1/2 cup (170g) raw honey
• 1/2 cup (100g) light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Optional Glaze:

• 2 tbsp raw honey
• 1 tbsp mead
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9-inch round cake pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and sea salt to evenly distribute the spices and leavening agents.
3. Step 3: In a separate large bowl, whisk the eggs, buttermilk, mead (or substitute), raw honey, light brown sugar, melted butter, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
4. Step 4: Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients using a spatula or wooden spoon. Stir just until combined; avoid overmixing to keep the cake tender.
5. Step 5: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. Step 6: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 15 to 20 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. Step 7 (Optional Glaze): Warm the raw honey, mead, and cinnamon gently in a small saucepan until combined. Drizzle the glaze over the warm cake for extra flavor and shine.

Tips & Variations

• For a non-alcoholic version, substitute mead with apple juice or chamomile tea without altering the rest of the ingredients.
• Enhance the spice profile by adding a pinch of nutmeg or ginger if you like a stronger warmth.
• Use raw honey for a deeper, floral sweetness, or mild clover honey for a subtler taste.
• Ensure melted butter is cooled before mixing to prevent curdling the eggs.
• Serve the cake with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful dessert.

Storage

Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap tightly and freeze for up to 1 month. To reheat, warm slices gently in the microwave or oven until just heated through, especially if glazed.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

Yes, you can substitute buttermilk with regular milk mixed with 1 teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar per 1/2 cup milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using to mimic buttermilk’s acidity.

What if I don’t have mead on hand?

Mead adds a unique flavor, but you can replace it with apple juice or chamomile tea without compromising the cake’s moistness or sweetness.

Irresistible Beorn’s Spiced Mead Honey Cake: A Legendary Hobbit Treat Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 50 reviews

Beorn’s Spiced Mead Honey Cake is a legendary hobbit-inspired treat filled with warm spices and sweet honey, perfectly balanced with the subtle complexity of mead. This moist and flavorful cake combines traditional ingredients like cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves with a rich blend of raw honey and brown sugar, making it an irresistible dessert that celebrates rustic charm and ancient flavors.

• Author: Hannah
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
• Total Time: 50-55 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British/European Inspired
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Cake:

• 1 3/4 cups (210g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup (120ml) buttermilk
• 1/2 cup (120ml) mead (or apple juice/chamomile tea)
• 1/2 cup (170g) raw honey
• 1/2 cup (100g) light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Optional Glaze:

• 2 tbsp raw honey
• 1 tbsp mead
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9-inch round cake pan to ensure the cake releases easily after baking.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground cardamom, ground cloves, and sea salt. This creates an evenly mixed base and ensures no lumps remain.
3. Whisk Wet Ingredients: In a separate large bowl, whisk the eggs, buttermilk, mead, raw honey, light brown sugar, melted and cooled unsalted butter, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well incorporated.
4. Combine: Gently fold the wet mixture into the dry ingredients until just combined. Be careful not to overmix to keep the cake tender.
5. Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. Cool: Allow the cake to rest in the pan for 15 to 20 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. Optional Glaze: In a small saucepan, gently warm together the raw honey, mead, and cinnamon until combined. Drizzle this glaze over the warm cake to add extra moistness and sweetness.

Notes

• You can substitute mead with apple juice or chamomile tea for a non-alcoholic version.
• Ensure the butter is cooled before mixing to avoid cooking the eggs prematurely.
• Do not overmix the batter to maintain a light, tender crumb.
• The optional glaze adds a beautiful shine and extra flavor but can be omitted if preferred.
• Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.

Keywords: spiced honey cake, mead cake, hobbit inspired dessert, cinnamon cake, cardamom cake, cloves dessert, traditional honey cake, Beorn’s cake, mead recipes