Bake the Best Whole Grain Spelt Bread: A Healthy & Delicious Homemade Recipe
There’s nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked bread filling your home. It’s comforting, inviting, and a testament to the simple joys of homemade goodness. This recipe for whole grain spelt bread offers not just that incredible experience but also a wholesome, nutritious, and incredibly flavorful loaf that’s sure to become a family favorite. Spelt, an ancient grain, is celebrated for its excellent digestibility and rich, nutty flavor, making it a fantastic choice for those seeking a healthier alternative to conventional wheat bread.
Our recipe yields two crunchy loaves, perfectly sweetened with a touch of honey, and boasts a wonderfully creamy texture inside. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting your journey into the world of bread making, this guide will help you create artisanal-quality bread right in your own kitchen. Prepare to enjoy the satisfying crunch of the crust and the soft, wholesome interior of your very own homemade spelt bread!
Why Choose Whole Grain Spelt for Your Bread?
Spelt is an ancient cousin of wheat, dating back thousands of years. Unlike modern wheat, spelt has a unique genetic makeup that many people find easier to digest. Its natural husk offers protection from pests and diseases, reducing the need for pesticides and making it a more robust and environmentally friendly crop. When it comes to nutrition, whole grain spelt is a powerhouse:
- Rich in Nutrients: It’s packed with fiber, protein, and essential minerals like magnesium, iron, zinc, and B vitamins.
- Easier to Digest: Its water-soluble gluten structure is often better tolerated by individuals with mild gluten sensitivities compared to common wheat. (Note: It still contains gluten and is not suitable for celiacs.)
- Distinct Flavor: Spelt has a slightly nutty, sweet flavor profile that adds a delightful depth to bread, complementing the natural sweetness of honey beautifully.
- Sustained Energy: The high fiber content helps regulate blood sugar levels, providing a steady release of energy throughout the day.
By choosing whole grain spelt, you’re not just baking bread; you’re creating a nourishing food that supports your health and well-being.
The Joy of Baking Bread at Home
Baking bread can seem intimidating, but it’s a deeply rewarding process. The tactile experience of kneading dough, watching it rise, and then transforming it into golden-brown loaves is incredibly satisfying. Beyond the therapeutic benefits, homemade bread offers unparalleled advantages:
- Control Over Ingredients: You know exactly what goes into your bread, avoiding artificial additives, preservatives, and excessive sugars often found in store-bought options.
- Unbeatable Freshness: The taste and texture of bread fresh from the oven simply cannot be replicated.
- Economical: Making your own bread is often more cost-effective than purchasing artisanal loaves regularly.
- Customization: Once you master a basic recipe like this, you can experiment with seeds, nuts, herbs, or different sweeteners to create endless variations.
Recipe: Irresistible Whole Grain Spelt Bread
Embrace the goodness of spelt flour with this delightful recipe for crunchy, creamy, and flavorful whole grain bread, naturally sweetened with honey. This recipe makes two loaves, so you’ll have plenty to enjoy or share!
📖 Recipe Card
Andréa
Pin Recipe
15 mins
35 mins
2 hrs 30 mins
3 hrs 20 mins
Bread Baking, Breakfast, Lunch
European, Other
2 loaves
1980 kcal
Prevent your screen from going dark
Ingredients
- 180 grams water, lukewarm
- 7 grams yeast (active dry or instant)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons white vinegar
- 350 grams milk, lukewarm
- 25 grams butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 16 grams salt
- 350 grams whole spelt flour
- 500 grams spelt flour (light or white spelt flour)
All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix the yeast and sugar with the lukewarm water. Stir gently.
- Let this mixture stand for 10 minutes. You should see small bubbles forming on the surface, which indicates that your yeast is active. If no bubbles appear, your yeast might be old or inactive, and you should use new yeast.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the vinegar, lukewarm milk, melted butter, honey, and the activated yeast mixture. Stir until well combined.
- Add 250 grams of spelt flour to the wet ingredients and mix thoroughly until a shaggy dough forms.
- Gradually add the remaining 250 grams of spelt flour and the 350 grams of whole spelt flour. Knead the dough for about 5 minutes until it starts to come together.
- Incorporate the salt and continue to knead the dough for another 10 minutes. This develops the gluten and creates a smooth, elastic dough.
- During kneading, pay attention to the dough’s consistency. It should be pliable and not overly sticky, but all the flour should be incorporated. Adjust by adding a tiny bit more water if it’s too dry, or a spoonful of flour if it’s too sticky.
- Form the dough into a smooth ball.
- Lightly grease a clean bowl with oil. Place the dough ball into the greased bowl.
- Turn the dough over once in the bowl to ensure all sides are coated with oil. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel. Let the dough rise in a warm place for about one and a half hours, or until it has doubled in size.
- Once risen, gently turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into two equal pieces.
- Take each piece of dough and gently roll it into a tight log. This helps create a good structure for your loaves.
- Cover the shaped dough logs with a kitchen towel and let them rest for 20 minutes. This relaxes the gluten, making them easier to shape further.
- After resting, gently flatten each dough log into a rectangle. The width of the rectangle should match the length of your baking tin. Roll each rectangle tightly into a log again, pinching the seam closed at the bottom. Place each shaped loaf, seam-side down, into greased bread baking tins.
- Cover the baking tins loosely with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel.
- Allow the loaves to rise for approximately 1 hour at room temperature, or until they have nearly doubled in size again. During the last 15-20 minutes of this rise, preheat your oven to 200 degrees Celsius (390 degrees Fahrenheit).
- Bake the loaves in the preheated oven for about 35 minutes, or until they are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- To confirm doneness, carefully remove a loaf from its tin and tap the bottom. A hollow sound indicates it’s fully baked.
- Transfer the baked loaves to a wire rack immediately to cool completely. This prevents the bottom from becoming soggy.
Nutrition
Calories: 1980kcal
Carbohydrates: 341g
Protein: 64g
Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Cholesterol: 44mg
Sodium: 3287mg
Fiber: 58g
Sugar: 28g
Vitamin A: 596IU
Iron: 20mg
whole grain spelt bread recipe, homemade bread, healthy baking
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Expert Tips for Perfect Spelt Bread
Achieving a perfect loaf of homemade bread is all about technique and a little patience. Here are some expanded tips to help you:
- Yeast Activation is Key: Always ensure your yeast is active by performing the ‘bubble test’ with lukewarm water and a pinch of sugar. If it doesn’t foam after 10 minutes, your yeast is likely expired or inactive, and your bread won’t rise.
- Kneading with a Bread Machine: If you own a bread baking machine, you can certainly use it for the kneading and initial rise stages. Simply add the ingredients according to your manufacturer’s specific recipe for a whole grain or basic white loaf (adjusting flour types as needed for spelt), and run the machine through its dough cycle. Once the cycle is complete, continue with our recipe from the step where you “pour the dough onto a lightly greased workplace.”
- Achieving a Beautiful Shine and Rich Flavor: For an extra touch of golden-brown perfection and a richer flavor, you can brush the baked loaves with a little melted butter immediately after they come out of the oven. This creates a soft crust and an irresistible sheen. Alternatively, for a slightly crisper crust, you can spray the loaves with water or an egg wash before baking.
- Don’t Rush the Rise: Patience is crucial in bread making. Allow the dough to rise fully in a warm, draft-free environment. If your kitchen is cool, you can place the bowl in a slightly warmed (but turned off) oven or near a sunny window. The double rise (first in the bowl, second in the tins) ensures a light and airy texture.
- Checking for Doneness: The hollow sound when tapping the bottom of the bread is a classic indicator. You can also use an instant-read thermometer; the internal temperature of fully baked bread should be between 190-210°F (88-99°C).
- Cooling Completely: Resist the urge to slice into your bread immediately! Allowing the bread to cool completely on a wire rack is vital. This process, called “curing,” allows the internal moisture to redistribute, resulting in a better texture and flavor. Slicing too early can lead to a gummy interior.
Storing Your Homemade Spelt Bread
Homemade spelt bread, free from preservatives, is best enjoyed fresh. To maintain its quality:
- Room Temperature: Store cooled loaves in a bread box or a clean paper bag at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. Avoid airtight plastic bags at room temperature, as they can cause the crust to soften and promote mold growth.
- Freezing for Longer Storage: For longer storage, slice the cooled bread and freeze it in an airtight freezer bag or container for up to 3 months. You can then toast slices as needed, enjoying fresh-tasting bread anytime.
Serving Suggestions for Whole Grain Spelt Bread
This versatile whole grain spelt bread is perfect for a variety of meals and snacks:
- Breakfast: Toast it and spread with butter, jam, honey, or your favorite nut butter. It’s also delicious with scrambled eggs or a slice of avocado.
- Lunch: Makes fantastic sandwiches or open-faced toasts. Pair it with fresh vegetables, cheese, deli meats, or a vibrant hummus.
- Dinner: Serve alongside soups, stews, or salads for a hearty and wholesome accompaniment.
- Snack: Enjoy a slice plain, dipped in olive oil, or with a sprinkle of sea salt.
Did you make this delicious whole grain spelt bread? We’d love to see your creations! Tag #byandreajanssen via Instagram or Twitter. Sharing your culinary successes truly makes our day, and we’re always excited to check them out. You can also share your photos on our Facebook channel or pin this recipe on Pinterest so you can easily find it for your next baking adventure. Happy baking, and see you soon!
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