What Is Rye Bread?
Rye bread is simply bread that is made with rye flour. Rye has an earthy flavor, and using more or less of it in combination with other flours a loaf will give it more or less of that flavor. Rye bread is often made with additions like molasses and cocoa powder, which add color and flavor. Caraway seeds can be added as well, for an even more distinctive flavor.While you can make a loaf that is made 100% rye, those tend to be quite dense and heavy. For a lighter loaf that still has good rye flavor, mix rye flour with bread flour, which helps form a better gluten structure within the dough.
- Course: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Servings: 1 Loaf
INGREDIENTS:
MAKES 1 LOAF
- 200g/7oz/1¾ cups rye flour
- 450ml/¾ pint/scant 2 cups boiling water
- 120ml/4fl oz/½ cup black treacle (molasses)
- 65g/2½oz/5 tablespoon butter, cut in pieces
- 15ml/1 tablespoon salt
- 30ml/2 tablespoon caraway seeds
- 15ml/1 tablespoon active dry yeast
- 120ml/4fl oz/½ cup lukewarm water
- About 850g/1lb 14oz/7½ cups strong white bread flour
- Semolina or flour, for dusting.
STEPS:
- Mix the rye flour, boiling water, treacle, butter, salt and caraway seeds in a large bowl. Leave to cool.
- In another bowl, mix the yeast and lukewarm water and leave to dissolve. Stir into the rye flour mixture. Stir in just enough strong flour to obtain a stiff dough. If it becomes too stiff, stir with your hands.
- Transfer to a floured surface and knead until the dough is no longer sticky and is smooth and shiny.
- Place in a greased bowl, cover with a plastic bag, and leave in a warm place until doubled in volume. Knock back (punch down) the dough, cover, and leave to rise again for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/ Gas 4. Dust a baking sheet with semolina.
- Shape the dough into a ball. Place on the sheet and score several times across the top. Bake until the bottom sounds hollow when tapped, about 40 minutes. Cool on a rack.
COOK’S TIP
To bring out the flavors of the caraway seeds, toast them lightly. Spread the seeds on a baking tray and place in a preheated 160°C/325°F/Gas 3 oven for about 7 minutes.