Hosts serving topped Christmas bites
If you’re preparing lots of small starters, pre-sliced bread makes it easier to portion them evenly. Still, check that the slice size and crumb of the specific loaf will work with your toppings.
Choosing the right bread for you
Households needing a gluten-free option at the table
If you’re shopping for guests who need to follow a strictly gluten-free diet, choose a product explicitly labelled gluten-free and check the ingredients and traces information on the specific pack. The German Coeliac Society notes that the ingredients list for the country in question applies.
Sourdough fans with time to bake their own
If you want to choose the recipe and slice thickness yourself, plan ahead of Christmas dinner. The sourdough toast loaf recipe from Einfach Backen – Marcel Paa calls for 12–18 hours for the preferment to prove, followed by 3–4 hours for the shaped dough to prove.
What to look for when choosing
First decide whether you want evenly sized slices for toppings, an explicitly gluten-free option or a loaf you can bake yourself. Then check the requirements for the specific product or recipe.
| What you need | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Evenly sized slices | Is the bread pre-sliced, and are the slice and pack sizes suitable for the bites you’re planning? | If I’m preparing lots of topped starters, I want to portion the slices without having to cut them up. This would be the main requirement for around 45 % of consumers. |
| A gluten-free option at the table | Check the gluten-free labelling, ingredients and traces information on the specific pack. | If a guest needs to eat strictly gluten-free, I need a clearly labelled bread alternative rather than a loaf that simply contains sourdough. This would be the top priority for around 33 % of consumers. |
| Your own recipe | Allow time for proving and check the flour, butter, egg and other ingredients against your guests’ requirements. | If I want to choose the shape and ingredients myself, I need to set aside time before the meal. Around 22 % of consumers would prioritise this option. |
Common bread-buying mistakes
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Assuming ‘sourdough’ means ‘gluten-free’
Bread made with a wheat, rye or spelt sourdough starter can still contain gluten. The term therefore doesn’t mean it’s suitable as a gluten-free option at the table.
If you’re following a strictly gluten-free diet, choose bread labelled accordingly and check the ingredients and traces information on the pack.
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Expecting a rustic loaf to give you toast-sized slices
A hearty spelt or rye loaf can go well with cheese and spreads, but it won’t necessarily give you soft, evenly sized slices for canapés.
Before buying, check whether the bread is sliced and whether the shape of the slices will work for the way you plan to serve it.
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Judging allergens by the brand alone
A sourdough loaf labelled gluten-free may contain other ingredients, such as soya protein. The products described also have different traces information.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on each specific pack against your guests’ requirements.
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Baking from scratch without allowing extra time
The recipe from Einfach Backen – Marcel Paa takes several hours just for the preferment and the shaped dough to prove, so it isn’t suited to a last-minute bake.
Work backwards from when you plan to serve the bread and check in advance that the recipe ingredients are suitable for your guests.
Relevant brands and ranges
Schär
Schär’s Meisterbäckers Classic is a sourdough loaf, pre-sliced and labelled gluten-free, making it an option for the Christmas table.
- Schär states that Meisterbäckers Classic is gluten-, wheat- and lactose-free, and comes pre-sliced.
- It isn’t a classic wheat or rye toast loaf. The manufacturer lists soya protein and possible traces of lupin and mustard, so check the specific pack.
REWE frei von
The multigrain sourdough loaf is a gluten-free labelled, seeded option that comes pre-sliced.
- REWE states that this bread contains 15 % sourdough. Listed ingredients include sunflower seeds, linseeds, chia seeds and quinoa.
- According to REWE, the product contains soya protein and may contain traces of sesame and almonds. Check the information on the pack you buy.
EDEKA Bio
The organic spelt loaf is a more rustic sourdough option for cheese, spreads and starters, rather than classic toast-sized slices.
- EDEKA states that its organic spelt loaf contains 27 % natural sourdough.
- The bread contains spelt and rye, so it isn’t a gluten-free alternative. EDEKA notes that it may not be available in all stores.
LIDL Unser Brot
The in-store bakery range is worth considering if you’d prefer a crusty loaf to a typical toast shape.
- Lidl’s range includes, among other products, a crusty loaf made with natural sourdough.
- Check the ingredients, allergens and suitability for slicing or topping on the specific loaf in store.
Suitable products at Joybuy
Suitable products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Is sourdough bread automatically gluten-free?
No. Sourdough alone doesn’t make bread gluten-free. If you need a gluten-free option at the table, look for the relevant labelling and check the ingredients list on the specific pack. The German Coeliac Society says the ingredients list for the country in question applies.
What should I check on the pack before Christmas dinner?
Check the ingredients, allergen information and best-before date on the bread you’re actually buying. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity lists the ingredients and best-before date as information found on food labels. For guests with specific requirements, it’s also important to check the allergen and traces information on the pack.
Can I buy pre-sliced sourdough bread before the festive meal?
Yes, as long as the best-before date covers when you plan to serve it and you can follow the storage instructions on the pack. Before you buy, check that the pack is the right size; before serving, check the condition of the bread.
How far ahead should I start baking sourdough toast bread?
The recipe from Einfach Backen – Marcel Paa allows 12–18 hours for the preferment to prove, followed by 3–4 hours for the shaped dough to prove. Start well ahead of Christmas dinner and allow time for the remaining steps before serving too.