Vegan Spelt Bread Recipe
This easy bread recipe should ease your fears about making homemade bread. This bread is wholesome, tasty and perfect for your favorite sandwich(s).
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups lukewarm water *should be around 110 degrees*
- 1 tbsp light tasting oil such as organic canola, vegetable, extra virgin olive oil, etc.
- 1 1/2 - 2 tbsp pure maple syrup *use less for a less sweet bread, or you can use honey for a non-vegan bread*
- 2 1/4 tsp instant yeast (1 standard packet) or 1 packet of active dry yeast (2 1/4 tsp)
- 1 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 cups spelt flour
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour + extra tbsp
Instructions
- Add the water, honey, and oil to a large bowl and combine with a fork.Warm in microwave for less than a minute or so (depending on wattage) until the water is 110 degrees. Or till the water is lukewarm.Add in the instant yeast*, flours, and salt. Combine with a fork until a soft dough starts to form.*Active dry yeast - For active dry yeast, add the yeast to the lukewarm water mixture (water, honey, and oil). Let the mixture sit for at least five minutes. The yeast should turn foamy. After that, add in the flours and salt, and proceed with the recipe*
- Move the dough to a floured surface, and knead for 10 minutes*. Or you should be able to use a bread machine to knead it.*Sprinkle the dough with a little more flour as needed - but not to where it’s too stiff*Oil or grease the bowl lightly, then place the dough back in it. Roll the ball of dough around so that it’s coated in the oil. This will help to keep it easy to work with (less sticky) later on..
- Lightly cover the bowl with a kitchen towel, and allow the dough to sit for an hour - preferably in a warm environment.The dough should be double in size now. Punch the dough down (gently, lol) to release the air inside.Move the dough to a floured surface. Pat or roll the dough into a small rectangular shape, then roll it into a log shape.*Make sure you pinch any loose seams in, and tuck the ends in*
- Fit the short log of dough into a greased 9x5 inch loaf pan. Cover loosely and let it sit for 35 minutes. The dough should rise about an inch above the top of the pan.*Before Baking*Brush the top of the loaf gently with nondairy milk. This helps to improve the texture of the crust.Or brush the top of the dough (gently) with an egg wash (egg + 1/4 tsp water) for a non-vegan option.
- Bake at 375 degrees for 28-30 minutes or until the crust is browned to your liking. *Immediately brush the top of the bread with melted vegan (or non-vegan, if desired) butter right after you take it out of the oven.This will give a shiny golden color to the crust, and will help soften it*
- Allow the loaf to cool for a few minutes in the loaf pan first, before removing it to cool fully on a wire rack or other surface.