Make your own nutritious and delicious spelt bread with this easy-to-follow recipe. Spelt is an ancient grain that is known for its nutty flavor and numerous health benefits. This bread is perfect for sandwiches, toast, or simply enjoying on its own. With just a few simple ingredients and some patience, you can have a fresh loaf of spelt bread straight from your oven.
Ingredients
- 3 cups spelt flour
- 2 cups warm water
- 2 ½ teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Directions
- In a small bowl, combine the warm water, honey, and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes or until the mixture becomes frothy.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the spelt flour and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the frothy yeast mixture.
- Using a wooden spoon or your hands, mix the ingredients until they come together to form a shaggy dough.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes or until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. Add more flour if necessary to prevent sticking.
- Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a greased bowl. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release any air bubbles. Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for a few more minutes.
- Shape the dough into a loaf by rolling it into a rectangle and then tightly rolling it up from one end. Pinch the seams to seal.
- Place the shaped loaf on a greased baking sheet or loaf pan. Cover with a kitchen towel and let it rise for another 30 minutes.
- Brush the top of the loaf with olive oil and sprinkle with some additional spelt flour for a rustic look.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.
