Unleavened Bread

March/April: Holy Thursday/Maundy Thursday 

During the first year of the pandemic, we were unable to physically attend Holy Thursday mass and participate with fellow parishioners in communion. So during lockdowns we wanted a quick symbolic wafer to eat with a little wine at home while watching the livestream of the Eucharistic rites online. 

True unleavened bread only consists of flour and water (no leavening agent like yeast to make it rise), much like the fire cake recipe. But this recipe was suitable for our purposes for commemorating the Last Supper of Our Lord at home. It tastes like a not-so-sweet simple shortbread cookie. Smaller rounds may be cut from the dough so that all members of the family can partake with their own wafer.

Making unleavened bread is a great opportunity for family togetherness and a teachable moment about Jesus the Bread of Life, especially on Holy Thursday as Christians begin observing Paschal Triduum traditions.

Recipe

(Adapted from Catholic Cuisine)

Ingredients

  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup whole wheat flour
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 5 tablespoons butter, chopped into small pieces
  • 4-5 tablespoons milk

Directions

In a large mixing bowl, combine the two flour with the sugar. Add the butter and with a pastry blender and mix until incorporated. Add the milk to moisten the dough.

Knead until a dough sticks together and is well blended. Roll into a ball and place on a clean, lightly floured surface. Roll out to ¼ inch thickness. Place on a parchment paper over a baking sheet.

Use an 8-inch round board or plate and trace around to cut off edges. Bake in a preheated oven at 400 degrees F for 15-20 minutes. Remove and let cool. Break off pieces and serve with grape juice or wine.

Notes