How to: Spruce Pattern Bread Scoring

The smell of freshly baked bread is wonderful throughout the year. But there’s something special about a warm oven and fresh, warm bread during winter. Make your bread extra special with this easy, beginner -friendly spruce pattern bread scoring technique.

What is Bread Scoring & Why Try a Winter Pattern?

Scoring bread is the art of making cuts or clips in shaped bread to give it a unique shape or pattern.

Just before the bread goes into the oven you can “score” your loaf of bread. This serves two purposes:

• Add a unique & beautiful pattern or shape to the bread
• It gives the bread room to expand during baking

You can make a simple slit on the side or top of the bread to give it a rustic look or make an intricate design. You can make this as simple or challenging as you like.

During the winter months, you can add patterns or shapes that reflect the winter weather, Christmas & New Year.

This spruce bread scoring pattern is a great beginner-friendly scoring pattern to try this winter.

Ingredients and tools for a spruce scoring pattern

I made this bread from a simple & quick spelt yeast dough. You can find the full recipe on the recipe card at the end of this blog post.

For the bread dough you’ll need:

• Spelt
• Sea Salt
• Instant Yeast
• Water

For the Scoring:

• Sharp knife or razor blade
• Scissors
• Parchment Paper: Optional but makes it easier to lift the bread
• Cast Iron Pan: Optional but gives the bread the best “spring”.

Step-by-Step Guide to Scoring a Spruce-Inspired Pattern

Follow these steps to make this easy & fast winter-inspired spruce bread scoring pattern.

• Make the bread dough as stated in the recipe card.
• Dust the proofed bread with flour. TIP: Use a tea sieve for an even dusting.
• Using the sharp knife or razor blade: Cut the dough in half 1/2, then half again 1/4, and lastly, cut the quarters again. You should end up with 8 triangular shapes.
• Using the scissors: Make little cuts at the tip of the triangular shapes. Cut slightly diagonal to make a tree bread pattern.

Tips for Beautiful and Festive Bread Scoring

As for most things in life, decorative bread scoring is something you’ll get better at the more you do it.

But I do have a few tips that will make this spruce tree bread scoring a breeze:

• Use cold bread dough: It’s easier to make precise cuts when the dough is chilled. You can make this dough and place it in the fridge after its final proof.
• Make sure your knife or cutting tool is super sharp. You’ll get the best results when you cut only once.
• Resist the temptation to go over a cut twice when two pieces seem to be a bit sticky still. You’ll get better results cutting only once at the same spot. Usually, the shape will separate in the oven even with just one cut.

Why Spelt Bread is a Great Winter Baking Choice

Spelt is a great choice for this festive winter bread. Spelt is considered an ancient grain and has great baking properties.

Like Einkorn & Emmer wheat, spelt has some unique properties.

Spelt has a slightly nutty flavor and is very easy to work with.

The last month of the year is busy enough already. No need to add more stress. You can’t go wrong with this quick spelt bread recipe, so give it a try!

Share Your Winter Bread Creations!

I love to connect with fellow bakers, so share your creations by tagging @the.haven.of.rest on Instagram or comment below.