Spelt Recipe: Sandwich Bread

This recipe for spelt bread is quick, easy and turns out wonderfully. Best of all, it's delicious! It has a great crumb that doesn't fall apart and does well in the toaster. This bread also freezes well.

The lower glycemic index of spelt flour (compared to regular wheat flour) means that it doesn't have cause blood sugar to rise quite so dramatically. This makes spelt a good ingredient in diabetic recipes. Spelt also has a wider range of nutrients and a lovely, 'nutty' taste. Spelt flour can be incorporated into a diet as a natural way to help control blood sugar for people with type 2 diabetes. Remember to enjoy in moderation; portion sizes are still important!

Ingredients

Makes 2 - 9" x 5" loaves

• 1 3/4 cups of warm water
• 1/4 cup of coconut sugar (or use regular sugar if you prefer)
• 1.5 tsp of salt
• 1/4 cup of coconut oil, butter, or other type of oil, plus extra for greasing bowl and pans
• 2 tbsp yeast
• 1 egg, beaten
• 6 cups light/white spelt flour
• Optional: 2 tbsp chia seeds (adds a good nutritional kick)

Directions

This bread needs to go through two rises, so leave lots of time. Total time from start to finish is around 2.5 hours (or a little more).

• Dissolve sugar into warm water. Melt coconut oil or butter, and stir it into the warm water mixture along with the salt.

• Stir in the yeast. Let proof for about 10 minutes until puffed and foamy.

• Stir in the beaten egg.

• Add the first five cups of spelt flour, stirring after each cup. Don't overmix. You should be able to form a ball of dough with the mixture.

• Put the last cup of spelt flour onto a work surface. Place the dough on top, and knead just until the flour is incorporated. Don't over-knead!

• Grease the bowl with a bit of melted coconut oil or butter. Put the dough back in the bowl, turning it so that all sides of the dough are lightly covered in oil. Place plastic wrap tightly over the top of the bowl and place in a warm place to rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

• Grease your bread pans with a bit of melted coconut oil or olive oil (don't use butter, as butter browns too quickly).

• Sprinkle a bit of spelt flour onto your work surface and dust your hands slightly with with spelt. Punch down the dough. Knead it a few times (again, don't over-work the dough). Cut the dough in half, form into loaf shape, and place in pans.

• Sprinkle a tablespoon of chia seeds (if using) over each loaf, pressing them lightly to make them 'stick'.

• Let the dough rise in a warm spot until the dough is just over the top of the pan, about 30-45 minutes.

• Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees F.

• Bake the loaves in a pre-heated oven for 30-35 minutes, until golden brown. Let sit for a few minutes before removing from the pan. Slice and enjoy!

As tempting as it may be, don't devour an entire loaf - even though this bread usings spelt flour instead of common wheat flour, it is still carbohydrates and needs to be worked into your eating plan. Make sure to monitor your blood glucose levels (especially if this is your first time consuming spelt) so that you are aware how your body reacts to this spelt bread, and to ensure that any medications or insulin are adjusted appropriately. Read more about baking with spelt or check out a few cookbooks with tasty spelt recipes.