1 files changed, 15 insertions, 4 deletions
diff --git a/lib/handlebars/compiler/compiler.js b/lib/handlebars/compiler/compiler.js
index 0b4c23d..7b759c1 100644
--- a/lib/handlebars/compiler/compiler.js
+++ b/lib/handlebars/compiler/compiler.js
@@ -756,10 +756,21 @@ Handlebars.precompile = function(string, options) {
 Handlebars.compile = function(string, options) {
   options = options || {};
 
-  var ast = Handlebars.parse(string);
-  var environment = new Handlebars.Compiler().compile(ast, options);
-  var templateSpec = new Handlebars.JavaScriptCompiler().compile(environment, options, undefined, true);
-  return Handlebars.template(templateSpec);
+  var compiled;
+  function compile() {
+    var ast = Handlebars.parse(string);
+    var environment = new Handlebars.Compiler().compile(ast, options);
+    var templateSpec = new Handlebars.JavaScriptCompiler().compile(environment, options, undefined, true);
+    return Handlebars.template(templateSpec);
+  }
+
+  // Template is only compiled on first use and cached after that point.
+  return function(context, options) {
+    if (!compiled) {
+      compiled = compile();
+    }
+    return compiled.call(this, context, options);
+  };
 };
 
 // END(BROWSER)