Spelt flour has been taking the natural-foods world by storm lately—with an increasing number of recipes calling for it and products including it. But it’s far from new. Cultivated since 5,000 BCE, it truly earns the title of “ancient grain.” Unlike many other grains, however, it has never been hybridized and therefore remains very close to the crop that was first developed many centuries ago. Although not gluten-free, the grain is wheat-free so its flour is more easily digested than most wheat flours. It’s also high in fiber, calcium, iron, and vitamins E and B. And with a mild and slightly nutty taste, it’s an excellent alternative flour for baked goods because it’s also “lighter” than many other non-wheat options—yielding treats that are tender and soft. Here, we used it to pump up the nutrition in these holiday scones.

Variations

• Cut the sugar in half and include shredded cheddar cheese and sliced green onions instead of the dried fruit for a savory version.
• Replace the dried fruit with a mixture of dark chocolate chips and nuts for a dessert version.
• Make snack-size scones by cutting the dough with a small round cookie cutter before baking.

Where to get spelt

Look for whole grain, organic spelt flour at your local grocery store or online. We used Arrowhead Mills Spelt Flour ($6 for 30 oz., Whole Foods). To keep the flour fresh, store it in a sealed container in the freezer.

More ways to use spelt flour

For breakfast: Replace half the wheat flour with spelt flour in your favorite pancake recipe.
For dessert: When making a fruit crumble, use spelt flour in the topping for an extra dose of nutrition.
For dinner: Dredge chicken cutlets in spelt flour before breading to add a nutty flavor.