I've always wondered if I need to knead spelt dough, because it never seemed to make much difference. So I've done a side by side bake test to see if you really need to knead!

Spelt Buns – Do I Need to Knead Spelt?

Gavin Wren Baking, Food Techniques, Recipes, Spelt & ancient grains

Throughout my blog, I’ve declared that there’s no need to knead spelt dough.

This pearl of wisdom originated several years ago from a source that I’ve entirely forgotten, yet, as I create more spelt recipes for my blog, I’ve begun to question it.

It’s all about the gluten

Roger Saul, in his Sharpham Park ‘Spelt’ book, says to knead spelt dough for 10 minutes in every recipe. I was surprised to read this, it seems excessive, however, I also realise that he grows the stuff and sells it in supermarkets, so I was interested to see what benefit this really has.

All varieties of wheat (including spelt) contain two proteins, gliaden and glutenin, which if combined with water and kneaded, create a complex protein known as gluten. Gluten is what gives dough it’s elasticity and stretchability, resulting…come and read more…

spelt fruit bread

Lemon & ginger spelt fruit bread

Gavin Wren Baking, Dairy free baking, No Added Sugar, Recipes, Spelt & ancient grains

I have a personal rule regarding food that I make food for the blog, a promise to myself that I will not over-eat. Sounds simple, eh? You might think so, but sometimes I make dishes for the blog at peculiar times of the day or end up with way more food than I need, and I really don’t like wasting food. So, rather than engage in some kind of bacchanalian feast with it all, I …

Za'atar spelt rolls in baking tray

Spelt rolls with za’atar

Gavin Wren Baking, Dairy free baking, Recipes, Spelt & ancient grains, Vegetarian

I wasn’t going to make anything for the blog this weekend. I was feeling down and struggling to find the motivation to make anything, let alone think up, research and write a recipe, then test it for all you lovely blog reading people out there. But then I remembered that I had stocked up on spelt flour a few weeks ago, direct from Shipton Mill, because white spelt flour (also known as ‘refined’ spelt flour) …