#waybread

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: The Lord of the Rings - J. R. R. Tolkien, TOLKIEN J. R. R. - Works & Related Fandoms Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Additional Tags: Poetry, Bredlik Poetry Form, Personification Summary:

“Stormwings had forced them under cover several times on the way: she dared not start a fire they might see. Instead she gnawed on waybread and jerky, trying to ignore a pounding headache.”

- Wolf-Speaker, Tamora Pierce

Trail Cakes

1 1/2 cups oats

1 cup flour

1 cup powdered milk

1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup chopped dates

1/2 cup chopped almonds

1/4 cup chopped crystallized ginger

1 to 1 1/2 cups honey

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine ingredients (dry, then honey and vanilla), and form into palm-sized circles on parchment paper. Bake 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

My first attempt at a tasty and nutritious trail bread, and a successful one in my opinion. These cakes are very dense and very filling, and provide a lot of energy for hiking. I haven’t yet tested their longevity, but I suspect they will easily keep for several weeks or more. They are chewy, but not tooth-breaking as hard tack can be without soaking. As far as Tolkien/historical accuracy, probably half of the ingredients are a bit off the mark - vanilla and cinnamon for sure, and likely dates and almonds as well. Eventually, I would like to have a waybread that uses only accurate ingredients, but for completely experimental trail food, I’m satisfied!