Printed September 14, 2026
Cram: The Unexpected Journey Ration Cakes
These portable oat and seed cakes are what Bilbo Baggins packed for his adventure. Dense, nutritious, and surprisingly delicious with aged cheese.
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1/2 cup ground flaxseed
- 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
- 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 cup dried currants
Preparation
In Tolkien's The Hobbit, cram is described as a traveling food that 'keeps good indefinitely' and is 'sustaining' but not particularly exciting. It's what dwarves and sensible hobbits pack when embarking on quests. Our version is inspired by ancient journeycakes and medieval travel bread, designed to be dense with nutrition and capable of surviving in a backpack—but far tastier than Tolkien implied.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Line a 9x13 baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine oats, flour, flaxseed, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together honey, molasses, melted coconut oil, and eggs.
- Pour wet ingredients into dry and mix thoroughly. Fold in currants.
- Press mixture firmly into the prepared pan, using the back of a spatula to compact it well.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes until the edges are golden brown and the center is set.
- Cool completely in the pan, then cut into squares or rectangles.
Storage and Serving
Wrap individual cakes in parchment paper and store in an airtight container for up to two weeks. They're excellent paired with sharp aged cheddar, just as Bilbo might have enjoyed them during second breakfast. The high fat and protein content means these truly will sustain you through a long day's journey, whether you're facing down a dragon or just a particularly long meeting.
