Cracked Wheat Berry Bread (Rustic & Bread Machine-Friendly)
Sneak Peek: A rustic, chewy bread with cracked wheat berries for texture and a nutty flavor—made effortlessly with your bread machine.

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I can picture my dad (an Indiana farmer) reaching his grubby hand behind him into the bin of his combine during a wheat harvest. (This was 60 years ago when one could reach into the bin behind the driver easily.) Dad would pop a handful of freshly harvested wheat berries into his mouth and chew them like they were a fresh stick of Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit.
Mind you, that wheat might contain a few weed seeds and little bugs. But it was FRESH! Of all the times my dad and grandad tried to get me to follow their example, I couldn’t do it.
However, take those same wheat berries (aka grains of wheat) and bake them in this Cracked Wheat Berry Bread. Now I’m spitting out my Wrigleys and chowing down.
Why This is One to Share
- Nutty flavor with a chewy texture.
- Boosts fiber and protein with whole grains.
- Budget-friendly and worth the effort.
- Tastes great with butter or as sandwich bread.
- Bread machine-friendly with oven baking for the best results.
Shared & Loved
“I made this bread this morning. It is so good! I baked it in a loaf pan and the crust is chewy (which I like). … I absolutely love the flavor of this bread! It’s really so, so good!“–CHERIE
Related Post: Honey Whole Wheat Bread
What Are Wheat Berries?

- Whole wheat kernels: Contain the bran, germ, and endosperm.
- Cracked wheat: Chopped wheat berries that add texture to bread.
- Not bulgur: Unlike bulgur, cracked wheat is raw and requires cooking.
- Storage: Keep in a pantry for six months or refrigerate for up to two years.
- Where to buy: Bulk bins, organic food aisles, Amazon, or direct from a farmer.
- Red vs. soft wheat berries: Use hard red wheat or hard white wheat berries for bread-making. Soft wheat berries are ground into flour better suited for cakes and cookies.

Ingredients and Substitutions
- WHEAT BERRIES: Red or white hard wheat berries are best;Check stores with economical bulk bins.
- FLOUR: Bread flour ensures a lighter, less dense loaf. Weighing is more accurate.
- MILK: Use any dairy milk or even nut milk if you prefer. Greek yogurt makers could use whey drained from yogurt.
- SALT: Table salt or sea salt; Add a quarter teaspoon extra salt if you use Kosher salt.
- SUGAR: Granulated sugar. Honey or maple syrup can be substituted, but check the moisture level of the dough when nearly finished kneading.
- BUTTER: Unsalted butter. Substitute margarine or olive oil
- YEAST: Instant yeast recommended. If using active dry yeast, see recipe notes.
Related Post: Outstanding Bread Machine Whole Wheat Bread with No White Flour
How To Make Cracked Wheat Berry Bread
Prepare the Wheat Berries:
- (1) Microwave 1/2 cup wheat berries with 1 cup water on HIGH for 10 minutes (or boil for 20 minutes).
- (2) Cool (add ice to speed up the process).
- (3) Drain.
- (4) Use a food processor or blender to chop the berries with 1 cup of bread flour until finely chopped.




Make the Dough (Bread Machine):
- (1) Add ingredients: milk, salt, sugar, butter, flour, wheat berry mixture, and yeast to the bread machine pan in order.
- (2)Select DOUGH cycle and start.
- (3)Check dough consistency after 1 minute (make sure it’s clumping) and again after 15 minutes; adjust flour or liquid if needed.
- (4)Let the cycle finish and ensure the dough has doubled in size.




Related Post: Homemade Whole Wheat Rolls
Shape & Bake:
- (1)Turn dough onto a floured surface and divide into two loaves.
- (2)Shape into oblong loaves and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- (3)Cover and let rise until almost doubled.
- (4)Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- (5)Brush with egg white glaze (optional) and make 2-3 diagonal slashes on top.
- (6)Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and internal temp reaches 190°F (88°C).
- (7)Cool completely before slicing.






Frequently Asked Questions
- Is this whole grain bread?
- Not 100%—it contains whole wheat berries but uses white bread flour for a softer texture.
- Why use a bread machine?
- It simplifies kneading and improves consistency.
- Can I make this without a bread machine?
- Yes, use a stand mixer or knead by hand (see notes in the recipe).
- How do I soften wheat berries?
- Soak overnight, cook on the stove for 20 minutes, or microwave for 10 minutes with a 2:1 water-to-grain ratio.
- How do I crack wheat berries?
- Process softened berries with flour in a blender or food processor.
Final Thoughts
This cracked wheat berry bread is crunchy on the outside and chewy inside. A great compromise between white and whole wheat bread—delicious, hearty, and well worth the effort.
Need help troubleshooting? Email me: Paula at saladinajar.com—photos welcome!
Paula Rhodes, owner
As a retired home economist, I created Saladinajar.com to share my belief that you don’t have to be a chef to find joy in creating homemade food worth sharing. Bread machines (used in an unconventional way), homemade yogurt, and quick microwave recipes are my specialty.