Fresh-Milled Multigrain Bread
Prep
30 min
Bake
40 min
Total time
1 hr 10 min
Hydration
75%

Fresh-milled multigrain bread runs at 75% hydration to account for the bran and 80g of seeds, split 350g hard white wheat, 100g spelt and 50g rye. Keep wheat above 60% of the total, because rye lowers gluten strength and going heavier collapses the structure. Autolyse a full hour, then bake at 425F covered for 25 minutes and uncovered for another 12 to 15.
Key Takeaways
- Hydration: 75% accounts for the high absorption of bran and seeds.
- Storage: Wrap in parchment + a cotton bag; great for 4 days. Freezes beautifully.
- Substitutions: Swap rye for kamut or einkorn for a milder loaf; keep the wheat portion above 60% for structure.
About this recipe
Baking with freshly milled hard white wheat, spelt, and rye flour transforms an everyday recipe into something extraordinary. Within minutes of milling, whole-grain flour is bursting with natural oils and a sweet wheaty aroma — the part that fades first once flour sits — and it still carries the whole berry: bran, germ, and endosperm. Commercial white flour has the bran and germ removed and is stabilized for months of shelf life — fresh milling skips all of that, so you bake with the whole grain and with the aroma still in it. True multigrain bread is more than just a sprinkle of seeds on top — this loaf blends three different freshly milled grains for layered flavor and texture. Hard white wheat provides the strong gluten backbone, spelt adds a buttery sweetness, and rye contributes a deep, earthy aroma. The combination creates a hearty sandwich loaf with the kind of complex flavor you simply cannot buy from a grocery shelf. If you have a home mill, this is the recipe that justifies it. Milling small batches of each grain preserves the volatile oils that give multigrain bread its signature aroma. The dough is slightly more challenging than a single-grain loaf because rye lowers gluten strength, but a long autolyse and a gentle hand during shaping keeps the structure intact.
Ingredients
- Fresh-milled hard white wheat flour350 g
- Fresh-milled spelt flour100 g
- Fresh-milled rye flour50 g
- Mixed seeds (sunflower, flax, sesame)80 g
- Warm water375 g
- Honey40 g
- Instant yeast7 g
- Fine sea salt11 g
- Olive oil20 g
Instructions
- 1
Toast the seeds in a dry skillet for 3–4 minutes until fragrant; cool completely.
- 2
Mill each grain separately on a fine setting, then whisk together with the cooled seeds.
- 3
Combine flour mixture and water in a bowl, mix until shaggy, and autolyse for 60 minutes.
- 4
Add honey, yeast, salt, and olive oil. Knead on medium for 8 minutes until cohesive.
- 5
Bulk ferment 90 minutes with one set of stretch-and-folds at the 30-minute mark.
- 6
Shape into a tight oval and place seam-side down in a parchment-lined Dutch oven or loaf pan.
- 7
Sprinkle the top with additional seeds and cover with plastic wrap.
- 8
Proof 60–75 minutes until almost doubled and the surface springs back slowly when poked.
- 9
Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) with the lid on the Dutch oven, or just preheat for a loaf pan.
- 10
Score the top with a sharp blade, cover, and bake 25 minutes. Uncover and bake 12–15 minutes more.
- 11
Cool on a wire rack at least 2 hours — rye-blend breads need extra time to set.
how to start milling flour at home — hydration, gluten development, and grain choice tips that make this recipe work.
Learn about this grain: Spelt guide — flavor, milling notes, baking tips, and four in-depth guides on hydration, storage, and common mistakes. Or browse more Spelt recipes.
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Recommended Grains
Spelt
An ancient hexaploid wheat with mellow flavor and easy hydration.
Hard White Wheat
A milder, lighter whole wheat that bakes up tender and golden.
Rye
Fresh-milled rye delivers deep, tangy flavor and chewy crumb — a low-gluten grain that powers sourdough, dense sandwich loaves, crackers, and the classic breads of Northern Europe.