Try one of these 6 wonderful recipes for Imbolc and infuse your kitchen with magical energy. Imbolc is a special time of warmth, joy, and feasting. This sabbat honors the goddess Brigid, protector of the home and hearth, and is also known as the season of the Lupercalia and spring lambing. For your Imbolc meal, whip up some kitchen magic with recipes that honor the home and hearth.
The Outdoor Apothecary is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Learn more
Traditional Foods for Imbolc Feasts
In ancient times, Imbolc was celebrated as a marker of the coming of spring, and traditionally, many kinds of foods were prepared to mark this special occasion.
During Imbolc, families would often consume traditional dishes made with grains and dairy such as oatcakes, pancakes, breads, and cheeses to symbolize the end of winter and the start of spring. One such food that was commonly eaten was barmbrack, which was a type of sweetened bread with various fruits and spices added. This was frequently served with cream and was thought to bring good luck.
Other common dishes were boiled potatoes, cabbage, and leeks to represent the coming of the new season. All of these dishes were typically served with butter and eggs, to represent the fertility of the coming season.
Overall, Imbolc was a time for celebrating the coming of spring, a time for families to enjoy traditional foods and to revel in the end of winter and the beginning of a new season.
Below are some of my personal favorite recipes for Imbolc that I hope you’ll try.
Recipes For Imbolc
1) Oatcakes/Bannocks
Spring is on its way, and it’s time for bannocks! The warming of the weather, the greening grass, and longer days are a welcome sight. We are halfway through another cold, dark winter. The coming ofSpringand the return of the light is a time to celebrate the bounty of the earth, to give thanks for what we have and all that we will receive in the coming months. One of my favorite ways to reconnect with nature is by baking bannocks and other recipes forImbolc.
INGREDIENTS
- 1½cupsoat flour,place rolled oats in a food processor. Process until it becomes flour consistency.
- 1cupall-purpose flour
- 2tspbaking powder
- 1tspkosher salt
- 6Tbspbuttermelted
- ⅓cupwater
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine the oat flour, flour, baking powder, and salt.
Make a well in the dry ingredients, then pour in melted butter and water. Mix until it forms a ball of dough. If dough appears dry and crumbly, add a bit of water 1 tsp. at a time until you have a ball of dough that doesn’t fall apart.
Cover the bowl and let the dough rest for 10 minutes.
Turn the dough onto a floured surface and roll out to desired thickness, between ⅛ to ¼-inches.
For round bannocks: using a 3-inch round biscuit cutter or a glass to cut out circles.
For rectangular bannocks: Roll out the dough to an 8- x 10-inch rectangle (cut into 16 pieces), or an 8- x 9-inch rectangle (cut into 12 pieces).
Place the cut dough pieces on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20-23 minutes.
Remove to wire rack to cool. Enjoy with butter, jam, or both!
2) Onion Biscuits
Onions are an incredibly versatile ingredient that can be used to make a variety of delicious dishes. On this Imbolc, why not make some magical onion biscuits to commemorate the changing of the season? This recipe uses winter’s stored vegetables, such as onions, as well as dairy products like buttermilk and cheese, to create a hearty, comforting biscuit that is perfect for celebrating the home and hearth. With just a few simple ingredients and some kitchen magic, you can create your own delicious seasonal dishes that are sure to please!
INGREDIENTS
- 2CupsAll Purpose Baking Mix
- 1/2CupChopped Wild Onionor any kind of onion
- 1/3CupButtermilk
- 1/2CupShredded Cheddar Cheese
INSTRUCTIONS
Mix together the all-purpose baking mix, chopped wild onion, buttermilk, and cheddar cheese.
Pat out onto a floured surface to 1/2 inch thick.
Cut out with biscuit cutter.
Put on parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
Bake in 400* pre-heated oven for 10 minutes.
3) Baked Custard
February is the month of Imbolc, a time of celebration associated with dairy products. Our ancestors had to face hard times during this season, as the winter stores were running low and there were no fresh crops available. However, the livestock were preparing to give birth and the lambing season was beginning, providing them with a new source of food. Sheep’s milk is highly nutritious and was used as a dairy source even before cattle were domesticated. If you have eggs in your pantry, you can make one of my favorite recipes for Imbolc: a delicious custard dessert, a perfect way to celebrate this holiday.
INGREDIENTS
- 4 eggs
- 3 C. milk
- 1/2 C. sugar
- 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and get ready to enjoy some delicious, creamy custards.
- Add all the ingredients to a blender and blend them for about 15 seconds until the mixture is totally combined.
- Pour the custard mix into individual ramekins or custard cups, and place those inside a baking dish.
- Fill the dish with hot water up to ¾” of the top of the ramekins.
- Bake the custards in the oven for one hour. Voilà! You have your creamy custards ready to enjoy. Happy Imbolc!
4) Sour cream & Honey Cake
This delectable Sour Cream and Honey Cake is an underrated treat that deserves more recognition! It’s incredibly easy to make and doesn’t require any complicated ingredients or steps, making it a great choice for any occasion! Its texture is light yet moist thanks to the sour cream, and its flavor is sublime with just a light dusting of powdered sugar. If you want to take it up a notch, try adding a dollop of whipped cream or a simple glaze. Perfect for Imbolc celebrations, this cake is sure to be a hit!
INGREDIENTS
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup butter
- ¾ cup raisins
- 5 ½ ounces sour cream
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons cup honey
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat your oven to 400ºF.
- In a bowl mix together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- Using your fingers, work the butter into the mixture until it is well combined.
- Add in the raisins and stir to combine.
- Create a well in the center of the mixture and pour in the sour cream and the honey.
- Mix everything together to form the dough.
- Dust a baking sheet with flour and roll out the dough until it is about ¾ of an inch thick. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes.
- Allow the cake to cool on a wire rack and cut it into desired sizes.
Yield: 1 rectangular cake (about 9 x 13); serving size varies.
Source: Gail Duff, Seasons of the Witch
5) Imbolc Milk and Honey Rice Pudding
Celebrate the coming of spring with a magical bowl of rice pudding! On Imbolc, a traditional seasonal celebration, make a special treat of milk and honey rice pudding with raisins. The sweet honey and raisins will tantalize your taste buds, while the creamy and comforting milk and rice will bring a feeling of warmth and contentment to your body. Enjoy the sweetness of this special treat and the feeling of joy that comes with the changing of the season!This is a truly special Imbolc treat.
INGREDIENTS
Pudding:
- 3 eggs beaten gently
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup sweetened condensed milk
- ¹⁄ 3 cup honey
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 cup cooked rice
Sauce:
- Equal Parts Sweetened Condensed Milk and Honey
- Cinnamon (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Gently whisk together eggs, milk, condensed milk, honey, and vanilla in a mixing bowl until the honey has dissolved.
- Add the rice and combine until everything is evenly distributed.
- Pour the mixture into a 1.5 quart baking dish and place it in a larger baking dish that’s filled with 1 inch of hot water.
- Bake for 45-60 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center of the pudding comes out clean.
- Once finished, take the pudding out of the hot water bath and set aside.
SAUCE INSTRUCTIONS:
- To make the sauce, combine equal parts condensed milk and honey in a glass bowl.
- Heat in the microwave in 10 second intervals and stir until everything is nicely blended.
- Finally, add cinnamon to taste and drizzle over individual servings of the warm pudding. Enjoy!
Source:Recipe adapted from http://www.bellaonline.com
5) Lemon Poppyseed Pancakes
Imbolc is a traditional Gaelic festival that marks the beginning of spring. It’s a time of celebration and joy as we welcome the return of the sun after a long winter. To honor the season, why not whip up a batch of delicious Lemon Poppy Seed Pancakes? These sweet and tart pancakes are the perfect way to bring a little sunshine into your life, even if there’s no sun outside. With fragrant lemon zest and nutty poppy seeds, these pancakes will make your Imbolc morning full of brightness and flavor!
INGREDIENTS
- 2 cups of the all-purpose baking mix
- 1 cup of milk
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 Tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoongrated lemon zest
- Juice ofhalf alemon
- 1 Tablespoon poppy seeds
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a small bowl, add the sugar and lemon zest and use your fingers to rub the two together.
- In a large bowl, gentlywhisktogether the all-purpose baking mix and the lemon sugar.
- In a separate bowl,whisktogether the milk, eggs, vanilla, and lemon juice.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and fold quickly but gently to combine. Fold in the poppy seeds. Allow your batter to rest for 10 minutes.
- Heat askillet or griddle to medium heat with a drizzle of oil. Make sure the whole griddle is evenly coated.
- Gently scoop approximately 1/3 cup of pancake batter onto your hot skillet or griddle. Allow the batter to cook for two to three minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure an even golden-brown color.
- Serve warm with butter and syrup. Enjoy!
6) Creamy Potato Soup
As we journey towards Imbolc, a time of rebirth and renewal, let us celebrate with a creamy and delicious baked potato soup. This comforting dish is the perfect way to honor the season, connecting us to the traditional feast foods of potatoes and dairy that have been enjoyed for generations. The result is a comforting bowl of soup that is sure to warm your soul and bring the joy of Imbolc to your kitchen.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 2 cups milk
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup flour
- 3 bay leaves
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1large baking potato, peeled and finely diced
- 1/2teaspoon of salt
TOPPINGS:
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup green onions
- 1/2 cup bacon bits
INSTRUCTIONS
- Gently heat chicken stock and milk in a large saucepan over medium-high heat, just until it’s almost boiling (but don’t let it boil as the milk will scorch).
- Remove from heat and set aside. Reduce the heat to low.
- In a large soup pot, melt butter and add flour, stirring constantly for 3 minutes to cook the flour and make a roux.
- Slowly pour the milk mixture in to the roux in a steady stream, stirring vigorously to mix everything together and eliminate lumps.
- Add bay leaves, pepper, diced potato, and salt.
- Simmer over low heat for 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the soup has thickened.
- Lightly mash the potatoes in the soup and stir everything together.
- Pour the soup in to ovenproof soup crocks and top with sour cream, cheddar cheese, green onion, and bacon bits.
- Bake in the oven until the cheese is melted.
This recipe makes 4 cups, the perfect amount for two people to share.
In Conclusion
Imbolc is a special time of the year to honor the goddess Brigid, protector of the home and hearth. It’s a time to celebrate with warmth, joy, and feasting. Make your Imbolc meal magical with one of the 6 wonderful recipes for Imbolc shared in this article. Infuse your kitchen with the energy of the season and honor the home and hearth.
If you’d like to learn more about the seasonal celebrations on the Wheel of the Year, please check out our other articles and resources.
- The Magical Wheel of the Year: 8 Sabbats For Seasonal Living
- The Best Guide To Understanding The Wheel of the Year
- Imbolc: The Magical Space Between Seasons and 5 Rituals to Honor the Turning of the Wheel
- Imbolc Celebration Guide: 47 Pages to Connect You With the Energy of the Season.
- The Magical Time of Nature Awakening and the Celebration of Imbolc
- Sacred Celebrations: Honoring the Seasons
IMBOLC CELEBRATION GUIDE
This lovely and functional Imbolc celebration guide bundle is perfect for planning your days throughout the Imbolc season. Includes47 pages to connect you with the energy of the season of Imbolc. Reflections. Rituals. Magical Correspondences.
Digital Downloads
IMBOLC CELEBRATION GUIDE: 47 PAGES TO CONNECT YOU WITH THE ENERGY OF THE SEASON.
$8.99Add to cart
This lovely and functional Imbolc celebration guide bundle is perfect for planning your days throughout the Imbolc season. Includes47 pages to connect you with the energy of the season of Imbolc. Reflections. Rituals. Magical Correspondences.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
