Instructions

1. Make the black concentrate. Add 1 cup of whole grain wheat or barley to a skillet and toast until nearly black. Add 1 cup of water and steep for 15 minutes. Filter the blackened mixture into saucepan, throwing away any grains that get through. Simmer the mixture until thickened to a syrup consistency.

2. Create the colors. Crack four eggs and separate yolks into a bowl. Add one yolk to the black syrup. For lighter shades, take two or three yolks and add it with the black syrup into another bowl. Set aside egg whites. Do not discard.

3. Paint the designs. With a paint brush, apply the lighter shade mixture and paint onto an already baked loaf of bread. After applying the paint, put the bread into an oven that is preheated to 350 degrees. Let it bake for 5 minutes. Take it out and paint the bread with the darker mixture and put it in the oven to bake for another 5 minutes.

4. Apply the gloss. Using the remaining egg whites, paint a thin layer over the bread. Bake in oven for 5 minutes. Let it cool upon taking the bread out. The result is a shiny loaf of bread with handcrafted designs.