Tabatière: French snuffbox-style bread recipe

Tabatière, also known as Snuff Box Bread, is a French loaf characterized by a signature flap folded over the top to resemble a snuff box. The recipe, adapted from Eric Kayser’s ‘The Larousse Book of Bread’, utilizes an overnight poolish to develop flavor. While the base is typically a plain French lean dough, bakers can incorporate rye, whole wheat, or spelt to add character to the crumb.

To ensure predictable rising times, the method often includes a small amount of instant yeast alongside the poolish. When using whole grains, such as spelt, bakers may need to use rye dusting under the flap to prevent it from sticking to the loaf during the final rise. The dough can be divided into various sizes, ranging from a single large loaf to multiple individual servings.