German Rye Bread Recipes

GERMAN RYE BREAD

Steps:

• In a 4-qt. glass bowl, dissolve yeast in 2 cups warm water; whisk in rye flour until smooth. Cover loosely with a clean kitchen towel. Let stand in a warm place for about 4 hours or until batter falls about 1 in. and surface bubble activity is reduced. Stir in the sugar, caraway seeds, salt, 5 cups all-purpose flour and remaining water; mix well. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a firm dough. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. Cover and let rest for 15 minutes., Divide dough into four portions. Cover and let rest for 15 minutes. Shape into four round loaves, about 6 in. each. Coat two baking sheets with cooking spray; sprinkle each with 1 teaspoon cornmeal. Place loaves on pans. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes., With a sharp knife, make several slashes across the top of each loaf. Brush with egg. Sprinkle each loaf with 1 teaspoon caraway seeds. Bake at 400° for 30-35 minutes, rotating pans after 15 minutes, or until browned. Cool on wire racks.

GERMAN DARK RYE BREAD

Steps:

• In large bowl, combine all-purpose flour, salt, cocoa, yeast, and caraway seed.
• Heat and stir molasses, butter, sugar, 2 cups water and 2 Tablespoons oil until warm (about 110°-115°F).
• Add to dry mixture.
• Beat at low speed on electric mixer 1/2 minutes, scraping bowl.
• Beat 3 minutes at high speed.
• Then by hand, stir in enough rye flour to make a soft dough.
• Turn out onto lightly floured surface; knead till smooth (about 5 minutes).
• **Cover, and let rest 20 minutes.
• Punch down dough.
• Divide in half.
• Shape into 2 round or oval loaves on greased baking sheets.
• Brush with small amount of cooking oil.
• Slash tops with knife.
• Cover; let rise until double (45-60 minutes).
• Bake at 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes.
• Remove from baking sheets, place on racks to cool.
• **Note:If using this recipe to make a light/dark"marbled" rye loaf, knead both the light and dark doughs separately for about 3 minutes or so, then combine the light and dark doughs and knead them together for another minute or so (to produce the marbled effect).
• Proceed with the recipe as stated.

GERMAN RYE BREAD (ABM)

Steps:

• Put the ingredients in your bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Mine is liquids first.
• Select cycle and press start!
• Works well on a whole wheat cycle.

DELICIOUS GERMAN RYE BREAD

Steps:

• Place wholewheat flour, rye flour, rolled rye, salt and caraway seeds (if used) in a bowl. Make a well in center.
• Add the remaining ingredients to the well.
• Mix all ingredients initially with a wooden spoon, until roughly mixed.
• If mixture seems too dry, add a little more water/beer.
• Kneed the mixture for 10 minutes, until smooth and elastic, adding a little more flour from time to time if the mixture is too sticky.
• Form dough into a ball, and cover the mixing bowl with plastic wrap or a damp teatowel.
• Leave to prove for 2 hours.
• After 2 hours, preheat oven to 200°C.
• Take the cover off the mixing bowl. Punch the dough down in the center.
• Lightly oil a baking tray or loaf tin and dust with flour.
• Shape dough into desired form (e.g. freeform oblong shape, or in square loaf tin, etc).
• Leave alone until nearly doubled in size.
• Place in hot oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on how crusty you like it.
• The loaf should be cooked when it gives a hollow sound when tapped.
• Allow to cool before serving - it is usually better the day after baking.
• Enjoy!