Artisan Dark Rye Bread #BreadBakers

Artisan Dark Rye Bread tastes slightly chewy, a bit chocolaty and not too sweet.
When I joined Bread Bakers I was so excited to revive my bread baking skills. I used to bake a lot of bread back in the day, so to speak. We made rye using a fermented starter my mentor kept in the stock room. Every time we took some out, we fed it more rye flour. Our rye bread baking smelled so good. Apreciating the taste was something I had to develop. Rye was never one of my favorites as a kid.
Needless to say, after working in a bakery and deli I kind of got “used” to it.
I honestly never tried baking rye or sourdough rye at home.
Then came this challenge:
The theme for January is “Rye Breads.” Since January is typically a month when everyone tries to eat healthier, Rye breads will offer a nutrient rich option. You could go with a 100 % rye bread or mix in other whole grains. However, no refined flour and no refined sugars.
Rye flour doesn’t have the super stretchy gluten as in wheat flour. So I found an ingredient, vital wheat gluten that was supposed to help dense flours like rye by giving it a boost of gluten. I got the okay from our charming hostess, Anshie from Spice Roots to add some to my mix.
Thanks for hosting, Anshie!

Artisan Dark Rye Bread

Author: Cindy Kerschner

Ingredients

2 cups water divided
1 package dry active yeast
2½ Tablespoons molasses, divided
20 ounces rye flour (about 4 cups)
4 teaspoons vital wheat gluten
2 Tablespoons cocoa
2 teaspoons salt

Instructions

Dissolve ½ tablespoon molasses in ½ cup warm water (110 degrees). Sprinkle on yeast, stir. Cover and set in a warm place to bloom.
While yeast activates, whisk together rye flour, gluten, salt and cocoa.
Dissolve remaining molasses in 1½ cups warm (110 degrees) water. Add to flour mixture.
Mix in yeast mixture.
Knead only long enough to incorporate all ingredients. Place dough in oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap. This dough will be very sticky so do not cover directly with cloth.
Allow dough to rise until almost doubles in size.
Poke a few holes to release gases. Allow to rise again, about 1 hour.
Dust board with flour. Scrape dough onto board. Round into loaf and place on baking sheet.
Bake at 375 for about 30 minutes until loaf registers 200 degrees.
Cool on rack for several hours before wrapping. Wait at least 48 hours to slice.

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Try all these great takes on rye bread from The Bread Bakers!

Tangzhong Rye Bread by Stacy at Food Lust People Love
Sourdough Rye Bread by Ansh at Spiceroots
Potato Onion Rye Meteil by Karen at Karen’s Kitchen Stories
Swedish Rye Bread (Limpa) by Nicole at The 2nd 35 Years
Rye Fennel Crackers by Renee at Magnolia Days
Caraway Rye Crackers with Reuben spread by Jenni at Pastry Chef Online
Artisan Dark Rye Bread by Cindy at Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
Chocolate rye bread by Rocio at Kidsandchic
Pain d’Epice by Laura at Baking in Pyjamas
Danish Rye Bread by Wendy at A Day in the Life on the Farm
Hapanleipä – Finnish Sour Rye Bread by Robin at A Shaggy Dough Story
Banana Rye Muffins by Adam at Bakers and Best
Boston Brown Bread by Holly at A Baker’s House
Rye and Whole Wheat Bread by Kelly at Passion Kneaded
Slow Cooker Boston Brown Bread by Mireille at Chef Mireille’s East West Realm

What is Bread Bakers? It’s a group of bread loving bakers who get together once a month to bake bread with a common ingredient or theme. You can see all our of lovely bread by following our Bread Bakers Pinterest Board. Links are also updated after each event on the Bread Bakers home page.