Bread Experience

Some of My Favorite Spelt Bread Recipes

I enjoy using Spelt in breads for a number of reasons. It has a delicious, nutty flavor; it’s fairly easy to find in stores or at the farmer’s market; and it’s a genetically unmodified grain.

Spelt is one of the super grains. It has 42 chromosomes like modern wheat, but it’s hybridization occurred naturally. It’s a descendant of Emmer and another wild grass.

It is a hulled grain, like emmer and einkorn, and belongs to the same family of plants as bamboo, rice, sorghum, and sugarcane and modern bread wheat. It is the most similar to modern wheat and can be used in a lot of the same ways you would use modern bread flour – i.e. bread and pasta.

Two large glass bowls of pale spelt flour behind a smaller bowl of coarse, darker spelt bran on a wooden surface.
Sifted Spelt Flour, Whole Grain Spelt Flour & Spelt Bran

Spelt contains more protein than modern wheat, and the protein is easier for a lot of people to digest. This means that some people who are allergic to wheat may be able to tolerate it. It has gluten, just like wheat, so it is not suitable for a gluten-free diet.

All-purpose Spelt can be used as a substitute for bread flour and the whole grain flour as a substitute for whole wheat flour, but the proteins are fragile so the dough requires less mixing and kneading. As a general rule, you’ll need to reduce the liquid by about 25% because it doesn’t absorb as much water as modern bread flour.

How do you use spelt in breads?

Spelt flour can be used as an exact substitute for whole wheat flour in baking recipes, although the flavor will be deeper and richer, and the texture will vary slightly.

According to Purity Foods, the company that reintroduced spelt into North America in 1987, there are some important considerations that need to be taken into account when working with spelt.

Source: http://www.ochef.com/108.htm

1) You must use the correct amount of water. Too much, and the dough is sticky and weak and will not be able to hold the gasses that are produced during the fermentation process. Too little, and the dough will be dry and dense. It will not rise properly because the water never fully gets into the protein and there is nothing to hold the loaf up. Also, the dense loaf is too tight to allow the yeast gases to expand the loaf.

2) You must also mix it just right. Too little mixing causes the dough to be crumbly (one of the problems you mention) and it will not develop the necessary protein to cause it to expand properly. A dough mixed too long will break down the fragile protein strands that hold in the gases. The first few minutes of mixing are critical, the company says. From the moment you add the water to the flour, you should take no more than 4 minutes to mix the dough completely.

 

You might enjoy one of these spelt breads

Here are some of the breads I’ve made using spelt.

Note: Not all of the spelt breads I’ve made are listed here so to find more, just type “spelt” into the search box and you’ll be presented with more options. And please do check back. More recipes will be added as I continue baking with this ancient grain.

Breakfast Breads

Stack of golden spelt semolina bagels with craggy, deeply browned tops on a white doily over wood.

Kefir Milk Spelt Semolina Bagels – These Spelt Semolina Bagels, made with spelt and semolina flours, and filled with cheese, are fermented with kefir milk and require less yeast.

 

Rows of cranberry orange spelt biscotti slices fanned out with dried cranberries and fresh orange wedges on white.

Cranberry Orange Biscotti with Spelt is a special treat made of whole grain and all-purpose spelt, dried cranberries soaked in orange juice and toasted slivered almonds.

 

Stacked sour cream banana spelt waffles topped with banana slices, walnuts, and syrup on a floral-trimmed plate.

Sour Cream & Banana Spelt Waffles – Made with whole grain flour, ripe bananas and a bit of sour cream.

 

Crackers

Square sesame spelt crackers scattered on a dark plate, tops dusted with sesame seeds and flecked with bran.
Sesame Spelt Crackers

Sesame Spelt Crackers – Using a combination of whole grain spelt and white spelt flours, these crackers are risen with yeast and enriched with butter, honey and topped with lot’s of sesame seeds.

 

Breads baked in a Loaf Pan

 

Seed-flecked loaf of Spelt Anadama Bread in a red scalloped ceramic pan, with cut slices showing a soft pale crumb resting in front.
Spelt Anadama Bread with Seeds

This Spelt Anadama Bread with Seeds is a new twist on an old theme.  It incorporates several different types of seeds along with the cornmeal and molasses.

 

Dark, glossy chocolate loaf with a craggy domed top rising above the same red scalloped ceramic pan.
No Knead Chocolate Spelt & Prune Bread

Chocolate & Prune No Knead Spelt Bread – A deliciously chocolate bread with dried plums.

 

Close-up of a rounded spelt loaf with a matte tan crust and a long curved slash across the top.
Crusty Spelt Bread

Crusty Spelt Bread with overnight sponge– Made with whole grain and all-purpose spelt flours.

 

Sliced loaf of whole grain spelt bread showing a dense, even crumb, with two slices resting on a bamboo cutting board.

Easy Bread made with Spelt -This easy bread is made with whole spelt flour instead of whole wheat flour and spelt flakes instead of rolled oats.

 

Cut loaf with a sesame-topped crust and dried cranberries dotting the crumb, beside a dark glazed Emile Henry clay baker.
Spelt and Honey Sesame Sandwich Loaf with Cranberries

If you are looking for a sandwich bread with character, and are ready to think outside the sandwich box, you might enjoy this Spelt and Honey Sesame Sandwich Loaf.

 

Spelt garlic and herb pull-apart bread baked in a metal pan, golden layers flecked with herbs on a blue checked cloth.

Sourdough Pull Apart Bread – Delicious pull apart bread with garlic & herbs and Spelt flour.

 

Whole grain spelt loaf topped with spelt flakes, two slices in front showing a hearty flecked crumb, on a blue towel.

Hildegard’s Spelt Loaf – 100% Spelt Loaf made with spelt flour and spelt flakes.

 

Sourdough multigrain loaf topped with rolled oats, its domed crust golden brown, resting on a blue cloth.

Sourdough Multigrain Bread – This healthy bread is made with an overnight soaker and the ancient grains Spelt & Einkorn.

 

Cut spelt multigrain loaf with an oat-topped crust, two slices in front showing a hearty seed-flecked crumb, on wood.

Spelt Loaves with Multigrain Soaker – This Spelt Bread with Multigrain Soaker is made with 50/50 mixture of white spelt flour and whole wheat spelt and utilizes an overnight Pâte Fermentée and a multigrain soaker.

 

Cut loaf of light wheat and spelt bread with a soft open crumb, two angled slices in front on an orange-striped towel.

Spelt and Whole Wheat Bread – A light and clean-flavored Spelt and Whole Wheat Bread which utilizes an overnight pâte fermentée to boost the flavor and improve the texture of the bread.

 

Cut loaf of sprouted spelt bread with a tall golden crust, two slices in front showing a soft even crumb, on a bamboo cutting board.

Sprouted Spelt Bread – Sprouted Spelt Bread is made with sprouted spelt grains and spelt flour. It takes a couple of days to sprout the grains but it’s worth the extra effort.

 

Two oat-topped sourdough whole grain spelt loaves with slices fanned in front, showing a hearty crumb, on gray wood.

Whole Grain Sourdough Spelt Oatmeal Bread – This 100% Whole Grain Sourdough Spelt Oatmeal Bread, made with a “wild yeast’ starter and whole grain spelt, is based on my family’s favorite oatmeal bread recipe.

 

Artisan Loaves

No caption, with an existing alt ("5-Grain Loaf with Cranberries & Walnuts") that names the recipe. I'll keep the name and add the visual. "Round 5-grain loaf with a flour-dusted crust and star-patterned slashes, a cranberry peeking through, in a red baker.

5-Grain Loaf with Cranberries & Walnuts – Includes oats, rye, brown rice, and Spelt flour.

 

Two round ancient grain loaves with deeply browned crusts, oats and flour scattered on top, on a wire cooling rack.
Ancient Grain Tartine with Spelt Einkorn and KAMUT

Ancient Grain Tartine – Tartine loaf made with Spelt, Einkorn & KAMUT flours.

 

Round spelt sourdough boule with a swirl-patterned floury crust, two flax-flecked slices in front on a wooden plate.

Spelt Sourdough with Flax Seed Soaker – This sourdough bread is made with a Spelt levain, a flax seed soaker, white Spelt flour and Whole Grain Spelt Flour.

 

Round levain boule with a cornmeal-dusted crust and square scoring, viewed from above in a deep red dish.
Einkorn and Spelt Pain au Levain with Caramelized Onions

Einkorn & Spelt Pain au Levain with Caramelized Onions – a delicious sourdough herb loaf with onions.

 

Two long 5-grain spelt levain loaves with golden grain-flecked crusts, cooling side by side on a wire rack.

Five Grain Spelt Levain – A delicious and chewy loaf made with spelt flour and a mixture of flax seeds, sesame seeds, oats and rye flakes.

 

Cut loaf of Italian chocolate chip bread with chocolate chips studded through a soft crumb, on a wooden board.

Italian Chocolate Chip Bread with Spelt – A delicious Italian Chocolate Chip Bread made with a mixture of all-purpose and spelt flours and a little bit of cocoa and semisweet chocolate chips.

 

Two Italian spelt loaves with flour-dusted golden crusts and tapered ends, side by side on a striped wooden board.

Italian Spelt Loaves – The biga and dough for this Italian Bread is made completely Spelt flour.

 

Round multi-grain sourdough spelt boule crusted with mixed seeds, cooling on a wire rack with a pot behind.

Multi-grain Sourdough Spelt in a Pot – This loaf, baked in a pot, includes a mixture of several grains and seeds and can be made with a sourdough starter or poolish.

 

Round loaf of rustic roasted garlic spelt bread topped with baked-on celery leaves, with two cut pieces showing a soft golden crumb.
Rustic Roasted Garlic Spelt Bread with Cheese

Rustic Garlic Spelt Bread – with sourdough, home-milled flour, garlic and cheese.

 

Semolina spelt loaf with a golden sesame-flecked crust that happened to bake into a turtle-like shape, with a second loaf behind.

Semolina Spelt and Sesame Seed Loaves – The semolina and sesame seeds provide a slightly nutty and crunchy flavor and the Spelt provides extra nutrients.

 

Sourdough loaf with a soft flour-dusted crust cut to show a pale open crumb, slices in front, a second loaf behind.

Soft Crust Spelt Sourdough Sandwich Bread – A sourdough bread for all seasons and flours. It can be baked as a soft crust sourdough sandwich loaf in a loaf pan (or freeform) to please picky kids or adults.

Wedges of sourdough Asiago rosemary spelt bread with a golden crust and open crumb on a red plate, red baker behind.

Sourdough Asiago Rosemary Spelt Bread – Sourdough bread infused with flavor due to the fresh rosemary, cracked black pepper and Asiago cheese.

 

Round sourdough spelt soda bread with a flour-dusted craggy crust, viewed from above in a round pan on a wire rack.

Sourdough Irish Soda Bread with Spelt – Utilizes sourdough instead of baking soda and includes all-purpose and whole grain spelt flour.

 

Round Cuban spelt bread topped with black sesame seeds and a small dough 'hat' knot, a second loaf behind, on a rack.

Speedy Gonzalez Spelt Bread with a Hat – This spelt bread is called Speedy Gonzalez because it’s really fast to make.  It’s also known as Cuban Bread.

 

Round spelt country French bread topped with a small flour-dusted dough square, two slices fanned beside it on a wooden board.
Spelt Country French Bread

Country French Loaf – A simple French bread made with Spelt.

 

Two loaves of spelt bread studded with raisins, glossy golden crusts with curved scoring, on a wire rack.

Spelt Loaves with Pecans and Raisins – Spelt Bread with Pecans and Raisins is a sweet and nutty flavored bread that contains no added sugar, just sweetness from the raisins.

 

Two rustic spelt rye loaves with heavily flour-dusted crusts and dried cranberries peeking through, on wood.

Spelt & Rye Loaves with Walnuts & Cranberies – Made with all-purpose and whole grain Spelt.

 

Round spelt KAMUT boule with a flour-dusted crust and petal-like scoring, topped with a sprig of fresh rosemary.

This Lemon Rosemary Spelt KAMUT Campagne Boule, made with whole grain spelt and Kamut, is filled with a slurry of rosemary, lemon zest and olive oil.  The crumb has a slightly tangy flavor due to the lemon zest and the crust has a toasty undertone due to the inclusion of whole grain spelt and KAMUT flours.

 

Pretzels

Soft spelt pretzels twisted into knots and topped with black sesame seeds, piled on a white plate.

Soft Spelt Pretzels – Pretzels made with all-purpose and whole grain Spelt flour.

 

Spelt bialys with puffed golden rims and centers filled with browned onion and poppy seeds, on a wooden surface.

Rings of bread featuring a hollowed out middle filled with sautéed onions and poppy seeds is how I characterize these Traditional Onion Bialys with Spelt.

 

Cheesy sourdough spelt popovers with golden domed tops, the front one torn open to show a soft moist crumb, on a red plate.

Easy Cheesy Sourdough Spelt Popovers – with parmesan and cracked pepper.

 

Garlic rosemary cheese spelt rolls baked together in a round foil pan, golden tops crusted with shredded cheese.

These Garlic Rosemary and Cheese Spelt Rolls, made with olive oil, garlic, fresh rosemary, Asiago, and Parmesan cheeses, are my answer to two questions: 1) how do you make cinnamon rolls without the cinnamon? and 2) why use three different leavening agents in the same bread?

 

Make-ahead honey spelt rolls, smooth domed tops risen in a muffin tin, viewed close up at an angle.

Honey Spelt Rolls – These rolls are super easy! The dough can be made ahead of time and frozen.

 

Hazelnut spelt bread twists with deeply browned, knotted-rope shapes, piled together on a wire rack.

Hazelnut Spelt Twists – These delicious and fun bread twists are made with a spelt levain, spelt and all-purpose flour, hazelnuts and dates.

 

Sourdough spelt rye pepperoni rolls stacked in a pyramid, pale soft crusts, on a black and white checked cloth.

These Sourdough Pepperoni Rolls with Spelt and Rye utilize an enriched dough that is rolled around slices of spicy pepperoni similar to how you would spiral cinnamon and sugar for cinnamon buns.

Three sourdough spelt onion pockets with golden crusts topped with poppy seeds and bits of browned onion, on a white cotton cloth.

These Sourdough Spelt Onion Pockets, made with 100% spelt flour and filled with an onion/poppy seed mixture, are slightly sweet and nutty.

 

 

Scones

Rustic golden Pumpkin ‘N Spice Spelt Scones piled in a cloth-lined basket beside a jar of jam and a teal teapot.
Pumpkin ‘N Spice Spelt Scones

Pumpkin ‘N Spice Scones – Scones for Fall, made with pumpkin puree and spelt and just a hint of spices and chopped nuts.