The Swiss bread known as Bauernbrot or Burebrot (German) / Pain Paysan (French) was created by the Richemont school in Luzern and the Association suisse des patrons boulangers-pâtissiers in the 1950s, according to Patrimoine Culinaire Suisse (Culinary Heritage of Switzerland). The goal of this new bread? Using a combination of wheat and rye flours, the recipe also called for milk — to help use what was considered a surplus commodity at that time.
You can easily make this hearty, comforting loaf of Swiss “farmer’s” bread at home, with only a few ingredients.
Here’s a recipe to get you started:
Bauernbrot
Ingredients
– 2 2/3 cups bread flour
– 3/4 cup + 1 tablespoon rye flour
– 1 1/2 – 2 teaspoons salt
– 3/4 cup milk
– 3/4 cup water
– 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, whisk together the white and rye flours and salt.
2. Measure, combine and gently warm the water and milk. Add the yeast to this mixture. Let sit for several minutes and then stir until the yeast has dissolved.
3. Make a well in the center of the flour and salt mixture and add the warmed yeast mixture. Stir until a dough forms. Knead for 10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. The dough should gently spring back when pressed. Cover and let the dough rise for about one hour or until it has doubled in size.
4. Shape the dough into a round loaf and use a sifter to sprinkle a light coating of flour on top. Using a sharp knife, make shallow slices across the top of the loaf to form a grid (or create your own design). Let the dough rest again on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper for about an hour.
5. Bake for approximately 45-50 minutes at 180°C/350°F until the loaf is lightly browned. When tapped, the bottom of the bread should sound hollow. Cool on a wire rack.
My version of this Bauernbrot was inspired by several recipes I found, both online (agriculture.ch and painsuisse.ch) and in the cookbook used in Swiss public schools, Croqu’menus. The description of the baking process as described by Patrimoine Culinaire Suisse also influenced the creation of this recipe.
Updated: January 9, 2023
Categories: bread, Recipes, Swiss, Swiss food, Switzerland
Thank you for this. I shall test it as soon as I get a chance. I’m a massive fan of Bauernbrot but right now I can only get it from either the German Deli in London’s Borough Market, or from the German Baker who brings his van to London every Tuesday and stops outside Deutsche Bank for half an hour at lunch time.
Good morning, Stella! I hope you like the recipe. I know flour can sometimes be different outside of CH. My in-laws tested this recipe in the US a few times as well and had success with it, so I feel confident to share it. Always looking for more feedback though! Thanks again, and Happy Friday! -Heddi
Good point, Heddi. I have to say that flour of different types is easy to get in the UK, at least for now, so at least that won’t be a problem!
Great news! Hope it works for you. Best wishes, -Heddi
I’m a chef and one thing that give me most pleasure cooking and working is the entire process of baking a bread from trying new flours throughout rising and finally gently baking in the oven. Old and traditional bread recipes particularly passionate me so I’m very happy to try this farmer bread recipe. Thanks
I love baking bread! One of my favorite things to make. I hope this recipe works for you! Please let me know how it turns out, if you think of it. Many thanks!
Thank you for this recipe! I’m always looking for good bread recipes and although I’m Swiss I never thought of baking a Bauernbrot! Greetings from France
Thank so much, Suzy! I hope you like this recipe as much as we do! Best wishes, -Heddi
Loved this recipe! Making my own bread has always been a thing that kind of scares me (how does yeast work anyway?), but this recipe is so straight forward that it convinced me to try. The prep was quickly done, and the bread came out delicious! I had to substitute the mix of rye and bread flour with whole wheat, but it worked just fine. I’ll surely make it again, as it’s also the perfect occupation during self isolation 🙂
Thanks a lot!
Hi Jeanne!! I am so happy to hear this!! Thank you very much for trying out my recipe. I really appreciate this. Really glad that it worked for you. We have been making a lot of bread too. 😉 Many thanks, best wishes, and take care! -Heddi
Thank you for this recipe! After making it, I Purchased your book and I’ve been planning to make more. I wonder if you could post a reference for flour substitutions for the various Swiss number flours.
Hello, and thanks for your nice message! Here’s some additional information about Swiss flour substitutions, in case it might be helpful. https://cuisinehelvetica.com/swiss-flour-types/
If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to send me an email.
Happy Baking,
Heddi
The recipe calls for warming the milk and water. I warmed it to 110F (43.3C) and let it sit (proof) for 10 minutes. I added it to all the other ingredients in the bread machine on dough cycle. My machine kneads for 25 minutes and then completes a first rise for 70 minutes before I took it out, placed it in a bread pan, and baked it per the directions above. It came out perfectly and was great toasted. Thank you for the recipe.
Hello Dee! Thank you so much for this detailed information. I’ve never used a bread machine, but your experience will be helpful to others. So glad that this recipe worked for you! Many thanks, and Happy Baking, -Heddi