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Whole Grain Rusks

17/11/2023

Whole grain rusks are perfect for a healthy and nutritious breakfast. Here’s how to prepare them:

Ingredients

  • 500 g of whole wheat flour
  • 100 g of brown sugar
  • 1 packet of dry yeast (or 25 g of fresh brewer’s yeast)
  • 200 ml of lukewarm milk (you can also use plant-based milk for a vegan version)
  • 50 ml of extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 egg (for a vegan option, you can substitute with one tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with three tablespoons of water)
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • Grated zest of one lemon (optional, to add flavor)

Preparation

  1. In a large bowl, mix the brewer’s yeast with the warm milk. Add a few tablespoons of flour and the brown sugar, then stir until smooth. Let it rest for about 15 minutes, until a light foam forms on the surface.

  2. Add the rest of the flour, oil, the egg (or its vegan alternative), salt, and lemon zest. Knead all the ingredients until you get a smooth and elastic dough. If the dough is too dry, you might add a little milk; if too wet, add a little flour.

  3. Cover the dough with a kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for about 2 hours, or until it has doubled in volume.

  4. Preheat the oven to 180 °C.

  5. Roll out the risen dough on a lightly floured surface until it’s about 1 cm thick. Cut the dough into rectangles to form the rusks.

  6. Arrange the slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake in the oven for about 15-20 minutes or until they start to brown.

  7. Once baked, cut each slice in half horizontally, then lay them back on the baking sheet with the cut side facing up.

  8. Lower the oven temperature to 120 °C and bake the rusks for another 15-20 minutes per side, or until they become crispy.

  9. Allow them to cool completely before storing them in a tin box or an airtight container.

Curiosity

Rusks have a long history in Italy. The term “biscotto” comes from the Latin “biscoctus”, which means “baked twice”, referring to the baking method that makes them so crispy and long-lasting. Whole grain rusks represent a healthier variant compared to the traditional ones, maintaining the same crunchy texture.

Whole Grain Rusks