Pioneer Woman at Heart

One Flourishing, Frugal and Fun Family!

One family learning to live off the land, cut back on expenses, and to live a simpler and a more self-sufficient lifestyle.

Adopted Motto

"Eat it up,
Wear it out,
Make it do,
Or go without."
~A Pioneer Sampler, by Barbara Greenwood~

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

Einkorn Flour ~ Baking and English Muffins

Upon learning from a few blogger friends about einkorn flour, and the health benefits (and less gluten), I had to try some.

I first checked the library system for the recipe book, but could only borrow this one:



I wasn't able to borrow the other cookbook einkorn has.  In fact, there was only one copy of this particular book to borrow from our inter-loan system (from other area libraries).




 I ordered the all-purpose and the whole grain flour to try.



First, I used the all-purpose flour to make the jam fruit bars.  They tasted great!  I swapped the all-purpose white flour for the einkorn all-purpose wheat flour.  I also used it with fruit breads and cakes.  It worked great for those types of baking.


Next, I tried substituting the wheat flour in my English muffin recipe, using the all-purpose einkorn wheat variety. You can get the recipe I use here.




The dough was sticky and lighter, and difficult to work.  They did wonderful at rising, but when I went to put them into the pan, some deflated and didn't hold their shapeI few turned out a bit too thin. However, they tasted great and a bit less dense. Overall, they looked good and tasted good.
 


Next, I made the English muffins using the whole grain variety flour (for the wheat flour).  My recipe requires 1 1/4 organic bread flour and 1 cup wheat.   

I found this dough even stickier than the last.  It more difficult to manage, required me to oil my hands and flour the surface while kneading it.  This required more flour than the last experimental muffins.

The second rise did not do so well, and again wanted to deflate as soon as I moved them to the pan.  I had to touch them as little as possible, and move then very gently.


This second batch turned out thinnerAfter slicing some in half, there wasn't much left of them for a sandwich or for toasting.  Only one in the batch was thick enough to call it an English muffin.  Overall, I wouldn't make them with this amount of whole grain.  I may try this again using 1/2 cup of the whole grain and 1/2 all purpose.   Einkorn whole grain is definitely a tricky flour to use with a rising dough recipe.  I would call this batch a "fail."

I have only tried the all-purpose variety in my baked goods so far.  I will be using it to swap out the wheat flour in any upcoming recipes (baking) and I'll be sure to update on that too.


To distinguish the true difference in both flours, I emailed the company.  They answered the same day:


Hello,
Thank you for your email.  Yes Einkorn is wheat.  The whole wheat einkorn is the entire wheat ground to flour.  The all-purpose flour is high extraction flour.  So we mill the flour at 81% removing a portion of the bran and most of the germ giving you ap flour.  The majority of the nutrients are stored in the endosperm of the wheat so are not losing losing the a lot of the nutrients. 

9 comments:

Mama Pea said...

Your experience with the einkorn flour has been a lot like mine. I've made pie crust using the all purpose einkorn (no other flour) and although it rolls out like a dream and has a very "smooth" consistency, it's also very, very tender and I have to be careful moving it from flat surface to pie pan. Also after baking, it's still very tender and falls apart if not careful. The flavor, though, is excellent. Tastes very "buttery" and not in the least bit tough as some pie crusts can be. All in all, because of the nutritional value over other flours, I think it's worth using.

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Mama Pea, the last batch of English muffins did the same thing - fell apart. I'll order some flour to freeze, and as you said, it is worth it for health reasons.

Rain said...

I went vegan for a year back in 2010 to cure my IBS and I only bought the most organic and healthy food for that year. It was expensive but it worked. I tried many different flours back then but I never even heard of Einkorn. I thought I ran the gamut of what flours were available! Your English muffins look very delicious! I want to try making them.

Saundra said...


Dear lovely ladies (Kristina & Mama Pea),
Before you give up on your recipes you might want to try adding some Red Mill Xanthan Gum. I use it to make baked goods that are gluten free. Sandy in
I love, love your blog. I reared 6 kids, 5 sons & 1 daughter, a. blended family. (Mine are now 50 - 59 yrs. old Ack!
Sandy in California

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Rain, my family loves the English muffins. I just learned of this flour this year.

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Sandy, I just saw that for sale in our grocers organic aisle. Thanks. I'm glad you are enjoying my blog too.

Mama Pea said...

Sandy - Red Mill xanthan gum, eh? Our organic co-op carries Red Mill products so I'm going to check it out next time I'm there. Thank you for the tip!

Sam I Am...... said...

Have not tried it nor have I seen it around here. We're lucky to get any organic at all. Good for you with the English Muffins...the first batch looks professional!

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Thanks Sam I Am.