How to Make White Spelt Loaf Bread

Sue Maree P -

In this recipe, I show you how to make white spelt bread using dry yeast or fresh yeast. My spelt bread is simple and easy to make. I had a request for a simple white spelt bread therefore I decided to see if I could turn my popular spelt bun recipe into a loaf bread. This bread is delicious and soft and stays fresh for a few days. We love this toasted for breakfast with spreads.  If you prefer using wholegrain spelt flour this recipe is easily adaptable just check the hydration kneading you may need a little extra milk or white as grain flours tend to be thirstier than the white flour blends.

Takes = 20 mins (1st prove approx. 60mins, 2nd prove approx. 30 mins)
Bakes = 20-30 mins
Makes = 1 small loaf about 10 slices

Ingredients

  • White Spelt Flour – 500g, 1 lb 2 oz, (3 cups + 1/2 cup + 1 heaped tablespoon)
  • Fresh yeast 25g or dry yeast– 10.5 g (3 + 1/4 ts)
  • Lukewarm water – 50ml, 1.7 fl oz, (1/4 cup)
  • Lukewarm soy or oat milk (or whole milk) – 250ml, 8.5 fl oz, (3 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon)
  • Sugar – 1 tsp (optional)
  • Salt – 1 tsp
  • Egg, separated – 1
  • Olive Oil – 2 tbsp
  • Sesame Seeds
  • Flour for dusting

Method

  1. Add yeast, sugar and warm water and whisk together then rest for 15 minutes to activate. If using fresh yeast dissolve the yeast in the sugar water then you can use it straight away.
  2. Warm milk slightly and stir in the egg yolk. (white is used for glazing)
  3. Add flour, salt, yeast, and milky egg mix and gently combine using your hands or the dough attachment on your stand mixer. Mix for a few minutes then add in the oil.
  4. When the dough pulls away from the bowl and starts looking clean remove the dough ball with your hands and form a ball—place it in another bowl that has been greased with a little butter or oil. Cover with a plastic cover, plastic wrap or a damp cloth and rest in a warm place for about 1 hour until the dough has risen and doubled in size.
  5. Cover the dough with plastic wrap or a damp cloth and rest in a warm spot for at least an hour until the dough doubles in size.
  6. Brush a small loaf tin with oil or butter. On a floured bench then gently knock out some of the air from the dough and fold it into a loaf shape.
  7. Place the dough into your loaf tin cover it with plastic or a damp cloth and rest in a warm place for another 30 to 45 minutes.
  8. Preheat the oven to 220˚C fan forced, for about 10 minutes before baking.
  9. Before baking gently brush the top of the bread with water or the egg white from and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Then bake in the oven at 220˚c for 10 minutes to make the dough rise fast then drop the temperature back to 200˚C fan and bake for a further 15 minutes until golden brown. Add a small tray of water to the bottom of your oven to create a steam bath in the oven, bread will be extra moist. Cool in the tin covered for about 20 minutes then remove from the tin.

Sue Maree P Baking Tips

  • I tried baking a version of this without egg and water instead of the milk but I found it went dry after the first day. The recipe was much better.s