Kneipp bread: classic Nordic recipe for two tin loaves

Homemade bread and a Vokshus bread bag on the worktop

Kneipp bread is a classic Nordic everyday loaf: semi-coarse, mild and made with the whole wheat grain. The recipe gives two tin loaves, so you have one for today and one for the freezer.

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Short answer: You need 500 g wholemeal flour, 500 g plain flour, 700 ml water, 25 g yeast and 1 tbsp salt. Knead for 10 minutes, let it rise twice and bake at 200 °C for 40 to 45 minutes.

Ingredients for two loaves

  • 25 g fresh yeast or 6 g dried yeast
  • 700 ml lukewarm water
  • 1 tbsp salt
  • 1 tbsp rapeseed oil
  • 500 g fine wholemeal flour
  • 500 g plain flour

How to bake Kneipp bread

  1. 1
    Mix the dough

    Stir the yeast into the water. Add salt, oil and the wholemeal flour, and leave for 15 minutes. That gives the grain time to absorb water.

  2. 2
    Knead and rise

    Add the plain flour and knead the dough for 10 minutes, until it is supple and a little sticky. Cover the bowl and let the dough rise for about 1 hour, until doubled in size.

  3. 3
    Shape the loaves

    Divide the dough in two, shape two loaves and put them in greased 1.5 litre tins. Cover and let them rise for about 30 minutes.

  4. 4
    Bake

    Bake on the lowest shelf at 200 °C for 40 to 45 minutes. Tap the base: if it sounds hollow, the bread is done. Cool on a rack.

How to keep Kneipp bread moist

Let the bread cool completely before packing it. Put it in a bread bag and keep the bag in the fridge: the bag keeps the dry air out. The second loaf can be frozen in the bag, ideally sliced, and keeps good quality for 2 to 3 months. More on the order to follow in fridge, freezer or counter.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Kneipp bread and wholegrain bread?
Kneipp bread is made with wholemeal wheat, the whole grain. Wholegrain bread can contain several cereals and is often coarser.
Why does the bread crumble when I slice it?
Usually it has been sliced too early. Let the bread cool completely first, and read more in why bread crumbles.
Can I use dried yeast?
Yes. Mix the dried yeast straight into the flour and use slightly warmer water. See everyday bread with dried yeast.

For your bread

Bivoks™ bread bag299 NOK

Goes in fridge and freezer, and closes with a clip. On the counter too, the bread stays fresh for 4–7 days.

See the bread bag →