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Russian Sourdough Spelt Baton Bread

Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Fermentation18 hours

Ingredients

PRE-FERMENT

  • 200 g warm water
  • 50 g active sourdough starter
  • 250 g all-purpose Spelt flour

MAIN DOUGH

  • all Sponge
  • 50 g water
  • 250 g all-purpose spelt flour
  • 40 g sugar
  • 5 g salt
  • 30 g butter softened

WASH (optional)

  • 100 g water (1/2 cup)
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon potato starch

Instructions

MAKE SPONGE (PRE-FERMENT DOUGH)

  • Whisk 200g warm water and 50g sourdough starter until starter is dissolved.
  • Add 250g all-purpose Spelt flour, mix well with a spoon or stiff spatula.
  • Cover tightly; leave at room temperature for 6-10 hours, until very bubbly and airy.

MAKE MAIN DOUGH

  • Add 50g water to the Sponge.
  • Add sifted 250g Spelt flour, 40g sugar and 5g salt. Add to the pre-ferment dough. Knead by hand, or with a dough mixer.
  • Add 30g butter in small increments. Knead until dough is firm and non-sticky. Add extra flour, if needed.
  • Cover tight, and leave at room temperature for 5-6 hours, until the dough doubles in size.
  • Transfer to flat floured work surface, and knead it by hand into a nice ball. You can divide the dough now if you want two boules.
  • Slightly flatten the dough with your hands or a roller on a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper. Roll it into a sausage.
  • Place it seam down and allow to rest, covered with a towel, for 2 more hours. It will increase in size quite a bit again.
  • Score (I score with a bread knife using hand-saw-like motion).
  • Sprinkle or spray with water generously, and bake in a pre-heated to 425ºF (220ºC) oven for 15 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 350ºF (180ºC) and bake 15-20 more minutes.

MAKE WASH

  • Combine 100g (1/2 cup) water with 1 teaspoon of sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of potato starch in a small sauce pan.
  • Simmer until it thickens, about 10 minutes. Brush all the sides of the bread, including the bottom, generously. It will soften the crust, and give it a sheen.