Flammkuchen

A South German or French-style ‘tarte flambée’, Flammkuchen is a thin, crisp flatbread layered with crème fraîche and a variety of delicious toppings.

Originating in the wine district of Alsace, bakers would test the heat of their wood-fired bread ovens with a bit of flat dough, resulting in a crispy baked, ultra-thin base. 

Flammkuchen dough recipe (makes 4)

·         500g white bread flour 

·         7g salt

·         320ml warm water

·         A little olive oil

Traditional Flammkuchen topping 

·         12 strips of bacon, cut into small squares or cubes

·         2 onions, finely sliced into rings

·         250g crème fraîche (or sour cream)

·         230g natural Greek Yoghurt

·         1 tsp nutmeg

·         3/4 tsp salt

·         5 leeks, chopped

·         Freshly ground black pepper

·         Fresh thyme (optional)

How to make Flammkuchen 

1.   Combine all Flammkuchen dough recipe ingredients in a large bowl to form a rough dough.

2.   Knead the Flammkuchen dough for 10 minutes until you have a smooth, elastic, stretchy and velvety dough.

3.   Place the dough back into your bowl and cover with a lid.

4.   Leave to rest for 2 – 4 hours at room temperature (or overnight in the fridge).

5.   Preheat the oven and a baking tray to 250°C (the highest temperature possible) 30   minutes before the bake. If you have a pizza stone, preheat the oven and the pizza stone 1 hour before.

6.   Divide the dough into 4 parts (8 parts for smaller sized Flammkuchen). 

7.   Shape each part into a ball and leave to rest for 10 minutes.

8.   Combine the crème fraîche and yoghurt in a small bowl, add the nutmeg, salt and pepper and mix well.

9.   Roll out the dough pieces (2-3 mm) and transfer to baking sheets.

10. Leave to rest for 15 minutes.

11. Fry the bacon strips briefly until almost cooked, don’t let them get crispy.

12. Fry the onion rings and leeks in the same pan until slightly browned.

13. If you are making all 4 Flammkuchen but baking only one at a time, don’t add the topping to all of them at once. 

14. Evenly and generously spread the cream mixture onto the base, leave a small border around the edge (this will turn golden-brown and crispy).

15. Scatter the onion rings and bacon on top and sprinkle with thyme.

16. Bake for about 12 minutes or until the edges are nicely browned and the bottom is crisp.

17. Serve immediately