Wheat Berry Bread Recipes for Delicious Homemade Loaves

Wheat berry bread is a wholesome and hearty treat that brings the nutty flavor and chewy texture of whole wheat berries into every slice. If you’ve been craving a bread recipe that feels rustic, nutritious, and satisfying, this is the one to try.

Using cooked wheat berries adds a delightful bite and boosts the fiber content, making it a perfect choice for anyone looking to enjoy bread with a wholesome twist.

Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting out, this wheat berry bread recipe is approachable and rewarding. It combines traditional bread-making techniques with the unique texture of wheat berries, resulting in a loaf that’s perfect for sandwiches, toasts, or simply enjoyed with a pat of butter.

Read on for the full recipe, helpful tips, and variations to make it your own!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Wheat berry bread is not your ordinary loaf. It offers a rich, nutty flavor and a chewy texture that stands apart from standard whole wheat breads.

The addition of whole wheat berries not only boosts nutrition but also adds a lovely rustic charm.

This bread is packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making it an excellent choice for health-conscious bakers. It’s naturally hearty and filling, perfect for breakfast or a wholesome snack.

Plus, it freezes beautifully, so you can enjoy fresh bread any time without the hassle of daily baking.

If you love experimenting with baking and appreciate breads with texture and depth, you’ll find this recipe both fun to make and delicious to eat. Plus, it pairs wonderfully with a variety of spreads, soups, and salads.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cooked wheat berries (about ½ cup dry, soaked and cooked)
• 3 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 1 ¼ cups warm water (about 110°F / 43°C)
• 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (plus extra for greasing)

Equipment

• Large mixing bowl
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Wooden spoon or dough scraper
• Kitchen towel or plastic wrap for covering dough
• Loaf pan (8×4 inch recommended)
• Oven preheated to 375°F (190°C)
• Cooling rack

Instructions

1. Prepare the wheat berries: If you haven’t already, soak ½ cup dry wheat berries overnight and cook them until tender, about 45 minutes to 1 hour. Drain and set aside to cool.
2. Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm water and honey. Stir in the yeast and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy. This ensures the yeast is alive and ready.
3. Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, and salt.
4. Add wet ingredients: Make a well in the flour mixture and pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil.
5. Combine dough: Stir with a wooden spoon or dough scraper until a rough dough forms. Add the cooked wheat berries and gently fold them in, distributing evenly throughout the dough.
6. Knead the dough: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, sprinkle a little more flour, but avoid adding too much.
7. First rise: Lightly oil a clean bowl and place the dough inside, turning once to coat it with oil. Cover with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
8. Shape the loaf: Punch down the risen dough to release air bubbles. Shape it into a loaf and place it into a greased loaf pan.
9. Second rise: Cover again and let rise for 30-45 minutes until the dough has risen just above the edge of the pan.
10. Bake: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the bread for 35-40 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.
11. Cool: Remove the bread from the pan and place it on a cooling rack. Let it cool completely before slicing to ensure the best texture.

Tips & Variations

For a softer crust, brush the loaf with melted butter as soon as it comes out of the oven.

Tip: Using freshly cooked wheat berries is key to the best texture. If you want to save time, cook a larger batch and freeze portions for future baking.

You can swap the honey for maple syrup or agave nectar to make this bread vegan-friendly. For added flavor, stir in 1 teaspoon of cinnamon or a handful of chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans.

For a nuttier taste, toast the wheat berries lightly before cooking. Alternatively, mix in some seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds for extra crunch.

Want to experiment? Try replacing ½ cup of whole wheat flour with rye flour for a richer flavor.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Suggestions

This wheat berry bread is incredibly versatile. Toast slices and spread with your favorite nut butter or jam for a wholesome breakfast.

It also pairs beautifully with savory toppings like avocado, hummus, or vegan cheese.

Try serving it alongside hearty soups or stews to soak up the flavorful broth. For a light lunch, make a sandwich with fresh veggies and your preferred protein.

Looking for meal ideas to complement your bread? Check out these delicious options:

• Vegan Potato Corn Chowder Recipe for Cozy Comfort Food
• Baby Spinach Salad Recipe Vegan: Fresh & Easy Ideas
• Afghan Vegetarian Pulao Recipe Easy and Delicious Guide

Wheat Berry Bread Recipes: More Delicious Ways to Bake

If you loved this wheat berry bread, why stop here? There are many wonderful variations and recipes that bring wheat berries into the spotlight in creative ways.

Here are some favorite recipes to try next, each offering a unique twist on the wholesome wheat berry:

Wheat Berry and Seed Loaf

This loaf combines cooked wheat berries with an assortment of seeds like flax, sesame, and pumpkin for added texture and nutrition. The seeds add a delightful crunch and boost the healthy fats in the bread.

Perfect for sandwiches or as a snack with your favorite spreads.

Honey Oat Wheat Berry Bread

Add rolled oats and a touch more honey to the dough for a sweeter, softer bread that still highlights the nutty wheat berries. The oats contribute a gentle chew and beautiful crumb, making it ideal for breakfast toast topped with fruit or nut butter.

Wheat Berry Sourdough Bread

For the adventurous, incorporate cooked wheat berries into a sourdough starter dough. The tangy flavor of sourdough pairs beautifully with the chewy wheat berries, creating a complex, flavorful loaf that’s perfect for artisan bread lovers.

Spiced Wheat Berry Bread with Raisins

Add warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, along with a handful of raisins or dried cranberries, to the wheat berry bread dough. This version makes a wonderful snack or breakfast bread that’s lightly sweetened and full of cozy flavors.

Vegan Wheat Berry Sandwich Bread

Make a soft, vegan-friendly sandwich bread loaded with wheat berries for texture. Use maple syrup instead of honey and olive oil to keep it moist.

It’s perfect for plant-based sandwiches and pairs well with fresh veggies and spreads.

For more wholesome bread ideas and plant-based recipes, explore Veggie Bread Recipes That Are Easy and Delicious.

Conclusion

Wheat berry bread is a fantastic way to enjoy a nutritious, flavorful loaf that’s both satisfying and versatile. By incorporating cooked wheat berries into the dough, you add a wonderful texture and boost the bread’s health benefits without sacrificing taste.

This recipe is approachable for bakers of all skill levels and can be easily adapted to suit your preferences with various add-ins and flavorings.

Whether served toasted with your favorite spread or as a side to a comforting soup, this bread is sure to become a staple in your kitchen. For more plant-based, wholesome recipes, don’t forget to check out our other favorites like Vegan Potato Corn Chowder Recipe and Baby Spinach Salad Recipe Vegan.

Happy baking!

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