Baking · serves 2

Spelt Bread

Spelt takes less water and less kneading than wheat. Nutty and easy.

105 min Some work Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 300ml lukewarm water
  • 7g dried yeast
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 500g white spelt flour
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 tsp sugar

Method

  1. Bloom the yeast in 250ml of the water, 5 minutes, then stir in the oil.
  2. Mix flour, salt and sugar, well in the middle, wet poured in gradually and drawn together by hand.
  3. Dry crumbs at the bottom means more water, a tablespoon at a time. Sticking to your fingers means a spoon of flour.
  4. Knead until soft and smooth. Spelt needs less work than wheat — stop when it comes together.
  5. Prove 1 hour until doubled.
  6. Shape into a loaf tin, prove 30 minutes.
  7. 200°C for 35 minutes.

Questions people ask about Spelt Bread

How long does Spelt Bread take?

About 105 minutes from starting to sitting down, and it is a bit of work. A good part of that is unattended, so you can get on with something else once it is going.

What can I use instead of yeast in Spelt Bread?

Use there is no swap that behaves the same. Use a baking-powder recipe instead of forcing it.

Can I make Spelt Bread ahead of time?

You can prepare it a few hours ahead and reheat gently. It keeps two days in the fridge, though it is best on the day.

Is Spelt Bread vegetarian?

Yes, and as written it is vegan too. Check your specific brands if that matters to you.

Do I need an oven for Spelt Bread?

Yes, this one needs an oven. If you do not have one, look at the no-oven filter on the baking page: eleven of the bakes here are built for a cooker, a pan or the fridge.

What do you serve with Spelt Bread?

On its own, warm, with tea or coffee. Baking is chemistry, so scale it by weight rather than by eye: double every quantity, use a tin with roughly double the area, and expect to add ten minutes or so. Judge it by the skewer, not the clock.

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