If you’re feeling uninspired in the kitchen, looking for a healthier baking alternative, or simply want to experiment with new flavors, spelt flour might be the ingredient you’ve been searching for. But What Is Spelt Flour exactly, and how can it elevate your baking?
Spelt is an ancient grain, a type of wheat that offers a unique flavor profile and nutritional benefits compared to all-purpose flour. Spelt flour is a whole wheat flour, meaning it’s made from the entire grain, including the bran, endosperm, and germ. This comprehensive composition contributes to its distinctive taste and texture.
While you may have had less-than-stellar experiences with other whole wheat flours, spelt stands out. Unlike hard red wheat, which can result in dry pie crusts and dense banana bread due to its higher protein content, spelt behaves remarkably similar to all-purpose flour. In essence, spelt flour delivers the benefits of whole wheat while maintaining a desirable baking quality.
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Roxana Jullapat, author of Mother Grains, describes spelt as “perhaps the best-known ‘ancient’ wheat” and a “gateway grain.” Its increasing availability in major grocery chains, like Bob’s Red Mill, makes it accessible to home bakers. Jullapat sources her spelt from her local mill, Grist & Toll, highlighting the option of supporting local producers. Proper storage is crucial for maintaining freshness. Storing spelt flour, along with other whole wheat flours, in the refrigerator prolongs its shelf life. The presence of outer grain layers in whole wheat flours makes them more susceptible to rancidity compared to white flour, which has been stripped of these layers.
The Taste of Spelt Flour: A Flavorful Alternative
What exactly does spelt flour taste like? Baking with spelt unlocks a subtle but complex flavor profile that distinguishes it from the neutrality of all-purpose flour.
One experience illustrates the unique taste: Crispy spelt flour chocolate chip cookies tasted like deeply golden-brown toast.
Jullapat describes spelt as having “a little bit of an acidic note, almost yogurt-like.” She elaborates on its “mineral feel,” suggesting a subtle saltiness and iron taste. This unique combination of flavors paints a vivid picture of spelt’s character. When used in blueberry muffins, spelt flour contributed a hint of pecan and bran, further showcasing its versatility. Ultimately, the best way to understand the taste of spelt flour is to experiment with it in your own baking.
Spelt Flour’s Nutritional Benefits
Whole wheat flour, including spelt, retains the outer layer of the wheat grain (the bran), which is rich in B vitamins, fatty acids, protein, minerals, and fiber. By choosing spelt flour over white flour, you’re incorporating more of these essential nutrients into your diet. While the nutritional impact may be modest on a per-serving basis, every bit counts.
Baking with Spelt Flour: Tips and Applications
“Spelt adds a pleasant grainful flavor” to baked goods and “is very compatible with an array of flavors,” according to Jullapat. It complements ingredients ranging from blueberries and peaches to brownies. Spelt flour delivers similar results to all-purpose flour, but with enhanced texture and dimension.
For recipes like cakes, muffins, cookies, and fruit desserts (crumbles and crisps), spelt flour can often be used as a direct 1:1 substitute for all-purpose flour. However, when baking buns, pretzels, or breads, some experimentation may be required. Spelt forms less gluten than white flour, so you may need to balance it with all-purpose flour to achieve the desired rise and texture. Spelt is not gluten-free, which is why it works well for creating a fluffy crumb.
If you’re hesitant to fully commit to spelt flour, try a partial substitution. Claire Saffitz suggests replacing a small portion of all-purpose flour with spelt flour (e.g., 25% spelt, 75% AP) in her spelt croissant recipe from Dessert Person. This allows you to subtly introduce the flavor and visual appeal of spelt without drastically altering the recipe. Even a small amount of spelt flour can impart a wholesome, rustic look to your baked goods.
Conclusion: Embrace the Versatility of Spelt Flour
Spelt flour offers a compelling combination of flavor, nutrition, and baking performance. Its unique taste, ease of use, and nutritional benefits make it an excellent addition to any baker’s pantry. Whether you’re looking to add a touch of complexity to your favorite recipes or explore new baking horizons, spelt flour is a versatile ingredient worth exploring. So, grab a bag of spelt flour and discover its potential in your kitchen.
