Roggenbrot (Rye Bread)

Mimi Bobeck's Note:

Oh my goodness - I'm reading some of these reviews and I just realised that Americans and British are used to that fluffy white bread - this is a GERMAN recipe - it IS A DENSE BREAD - THIS IS NOT A LIGHT & FLUFFY BREAD Please don't expect this to come out tasting like "Wonder bread" with Rye flavor. This is a recipe for TRUE, AUTHENTIC Rye bread - it's going to taste different from what you buy packaged in the store that was mass produced in a factory, please remember that. Just wanted to let everyone know before you invest money and time into this what to expect. Thanks!

• Total Time: 3 hrs 35 mins
• Prep Time: 3 hrs
• Cook Time: 35 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 12

• 2 (1/4 ounce) packages active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1/2 cup water (110-120 degrees)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 1/2 cups milk, lukewarm
• 3 1/4 cups rye flour, unsifted
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 1/2 cups bread flour, unsifted
• 1 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. Dissolve yeast in warm water.
2. In a large bowl combine milk, sugar, and salt.
3. Use a mixer to beat in molasses, butter, yeast mixture and 1 cup of rye flour.
4. Use a wooden spoon to mix in the remaining rye flour.
5. Add white flour by stirring until the dough is stiff enough to knead.
6. Knead 5 to 10 minutes, adding flour as needed.
7. If the dough sticks to your hands or the board add more flour.
8. Cover dough and let rise 1 1/2 hours or until double.
9. Punch down dough and divide to form 2 round loaves.
10. Let loaves rise on a greased baking sheet until double, about 1 1/2 hours.
11. Preheat oven to 375°F.
12. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes.
13. Makes 2 round loaves.

Reviews

[Not4sale SAHM]

This is absolutely wonderful! I was concerned making it ( bread is new for me) but I like rye bread, and I wanted to try making some. I am glad I chose this recipe. It was easy to prepare ( I cheated and used my stand mixer) and it smelled delicious from the get-go. I did not add the caraway, although I might try that next time. I wanted to experience the flavor, and I am glad I did. The texture is FABULOUS. I love the heartiness of this bread. I also must add that I took this bread for others to try and got many complements. Thank you for sharing!

[yellow_apple30]

Awesome! The only changes I made were adding 1 TBS of caraway seed and swapping the sugar for slightly less honey, which is all I had on hand. Wonderful! I don't like fluffy, cloud-like bread. Save that texture for white breads and rolls. When I want rye or whole grain, I want hearty. This bread perfectly fits the bill. My husband loves rye, so I make several different versions to change it up. This is the first rye I've made that I personally love and would probably take even over my favorite whole wheat. It also responded perfectly during prep--I didn't have to cross my fingers and hope the dough would raise properly. Thanks for posting such a great recipe!

[Granny Moses]

WOW! When you said dense I expected a rock but it had a great texture. It had body to it. The flavor was wunderbar! Like what we used to get in Germany. Only having 2 1/2 cups of rye flour I had to make the difference up with unbleached bread flour. I heeded another reviewer and used half the sugar. I also mixed all by hand. This is being served with a saurkraut soup to make a perfect supper on a damp, early spring night. I have to admit to cheating - I had to have a slice straight out of the oven. I know this bread will be one my hubby requests again and again. When I was first mixing the dough the molasses aroma reminded me of making gingerbread in my grandma's kitchen. Now that it is baked the house has such a wonderful aroma. All in all a wonderful baking and eating experience.