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Seeded Spelt Boules for #BreadBakers


This month's BreadBakers' theme is Ancient Grains, hosted by Robin at A Shaggy Dough Story. Ancient grains are generally accepted to mean grains that have remained largely unchanged/un-hybridized over the last several hundred years, which means NO MODERN WHEAT. Here's what our creative bakers came up with.


#BreadBakers is a group of bread loving bakers who get together once a month to bake bread with a common ingredient or theme. You can see all our of lovely bread by following our Pinterest board right here. Links are also updated after each event on the #BreadBakers home page.
We take turns hosting each month and choosing the theme/ingredient. If you are a food blogger and would like to join us, just send Stacy an email with your blog URL to foodlustpeoplelove@gmail.com.

BreadBakers

There was lots of discussion about what was allowed and what was not in this challenge. While I used a lot of flours that qualify as an ancient grain, I usually blend them. This time, I decided to go with an all-spelt loaf though I did run out and ended up kneading and dusting with buckwheat flour. With relief, I see that buckwheat was still on the approved list!


Ingredients makes 2 medium round loaves

  • 2 C warm water
  • 1 T organic dark brown sugar
  • 1 T active dry yeast
  • 4 C spelt flour
  • buckwheat flour for kneading and dusting
  • olive oil
  • hemp seeds for decorating
  • dark chia seeds for decorating
  • freshly ground salt for decorating

Procedure
Combine the warm water and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle the yeast over the top and let the yeast bloom until frothy, approximately 10 to 15 minutes.

Add in the flour and beat with a wooden spoon until the dough comes together. Move to a floured cutting board and continue to knead for 5 to 6 minutes until it becomes smooth and soft. Sprinkle with more flour if the dough is sticky.

Coat the inside of the bowl lightly with olive oil and return the dough to the bowl and turn to coat.


Cover it with a dish towel and put it in a warm place until the dough has doubled in size, at least an hour.


Divide the dough in half and roll into boules. Place them on a silicone-lined baking sheet and let rise for 30 minutes. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with seeds. Slice whatever design you want into the top. I did three slashes across the loaf - like the cover of Jurassic Park III. (Yes, we just watched this again during Christmas break!) Let rise for another 30 minutes while the oven preheats.


Preheat the oven to 400°F and place a pan of hot water on the bottom shelf. Place the loaves on the top shelf. Bake until the loaves are golden, approximately 40 to 45 minutes. If you tap the loaves on the bottom and they sound hollow, they are done. Cool the loaves on a wire rack before slicing.

My loaves rose perfectly until I slashed and baked them. Then they fell a little flat. They still tasted great and had a beautiful crumb; they just weren't as plump as I wanted. I'll have to try again soon.

Comments

  1. Flat or not (looks pretty good to me!), this is a loaf of bread I'd happily tear into. Thanks for embracing the theme!

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  2. the loaves look good. Would love to bake with spelt.Maybe some day.

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  4. That looks great to me! Doesn't look flat at all.

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  5. I don't think they look flat at all Cam. I think they are lovely.

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  6. This bread came out beautifully! I think I proofed my spelt too long.

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  7. That is a beautiful looking bread.

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  8. Fabulous Bread Camilla. Delicious!!

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  9. wow the bread has such great rise despite being gluten free - I was too scared to try a yeast bread without gluten grains

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