Let’s face it, people get hungry when they travel. I know I do. And I have loved researching all the fun types of food in Rapunzel’s Journey that she and her friends would have eaten along the way. Since my family is full of book nerds who enjoy bookish activities, we’ve also created several of our own. So if you like to cuddle up with a book and taste it while you go, enjoy the following links and unique recipes I’ll keep adding over time.
Quick note: I am not a professional chef, so this is what works in my own private, imperfect kitchen. No, they aren’t all historically accurate, but since I write YA Fantasy, I figure that’s okay. Experiment at your own risk. LOL 🙂
** Occasionally I share affiliate links that I think you would find helpful. If you chose to purchase, it will provide additional funding for this site and my family at no additional charge to you.
*** You can find more helpful Journey resource links below.
Table of Contents
Rapunzel Bread
One of my favorite parts of Beyond the Tower is the cozy bread-making scenes with Dorothea in the Dark Wood. I loved hearing her share her stories with Rapunzel, gently teaching the younger woman as they went about daily chores, the yeasty smell of baking bread scenting the air. So, of course, this had to be the first recipe. I hope you love it as much as my family does!
Ingredients:
- 3 Cups of warm water
- 2 T and 1/4 t of rapid rise active yeast
- 1/4 C, 1/2 C, and 1 T of honey divided
- 1/4 C, 1/2 C of butter divided
- 1 T of salt
- 6-9 C of wheat flour (Rapunzel would probably use barley flour, but I prefer whole wheat.)
- white flour for kneading
- nonstick butter spray or oil
Directions:
- Sprinkle yeast to warm water in a large bowl. Add 1 T of honey and let yeast dissolve (about 5 minutes).
- Stir in 6 C of flour, 1 T of salt, 1/4 C of butter and 1/2 C of honey. Keep stirring until all the ingredients are well blended. Add 1/2 C more of flour at a time until dough starts coming away from the bowl.
- On a clean surface, lightly coat with flour. Knead dough for 10 minutes.
- Oil a large bowl and drop dough inside, then flip it over so that the surface of the bowl and dough is coated in oil.
- Place the bowl in a warm place to rise, making sure to cover the bowl with a towel. (1-1 1/2 hours)
- When the dough has doubled in size, punch it down and let it sit for 5 minutes.
- Reflour the clean surface and coat two loaf pans in oil.
- Melt remaining butter and stir in remaining honey.
- Divide dough in half and roll it out into a long rectangle.
- “Paint” honey butter across the top of the dough’s surface.
- Roll the dough into a loaf and place in pan.
- Repeat with the remaining dough.
- Place the loaves in a warm place to rise, and cover with a towel. This is known as “putting the babies to bed.” (45 min-1 hr, or until dough peeps over the top of the pan)
- Pre-heat oven to 375 F.
- Bake for 25 minutes, baste the tops of the loaves with remaining honey butter, and return the loaves to the oven for another 10 minutes, or until the dough sounds hollow when you “knock” on it.
- Remove loaves from pans and let rest on cooling racks 5-10 minutes before slicing.
- Enjoy! 🙂
Helpful link
I have loved researching all kinds of foods from the medieval era to help enhance the cuisine in Rapunzel’s Journey. From humble tables at the convent in Beyond the Tower to the High King’s table in Amidst the Castles and Among the Kingdoms, this site has been invaluable.
More Rapunzel’s Journey Resource pages
Rapunzel’s Journey and Fairytales Retold
A Cheat Sheet for Fairy Tale Lovers
About JacQueline
As the author of The Journey series, a young adult fantasy retelling Rapunzel’s misadventures, JacQueline also wrote Memoirs of a Headcase: Held by the God of Hope, to share hope in the battle against chronic pain and depression. Currently she lives in North Alabama with her karate husband and three book-crazy kids. All opinions expressed on this website come from her own experience. Do not substitute it for professional therapy or medical advice. Any affiliate links used on this website will provide additional income to JacQueline’s family at no additional cost to you.
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