Classic Russian Black Rye Bread
Russian Black Rye Bread recipe 34
Ingredients
3 ½ | cups |
all-purpose flour
up to 4 cups |
|
4 | cups |
rye flour
|
|
2 | cups |
bran flakes cereal
whole |
|
2 | packages |
yeast, active dry
|
|
2 | tablespoons |
instant coffee
|
* |
2 | tablespoons |
caraway seeds
|
|
1 | tablespoon |
sugar
|
|
1 | tablespoon |
salt
|
|
1 | teaspoon |
fennel seeds
crushed |
|
2 ½ | cups |
water
|
|
½ | cup |
molasses
|
|
¼ | cup |
butter
or margarine |
|
1 | ounce |
unsweetened chocolate
|
|
2 | tablespoons |
vinegar
|
|
½ | cup |
water
cold |
|
1 | tablespoon |
cornstarch
|
Directions
In large mixer bowl combine 3 cups of the all-purpose flour, 1 cup of the rye flour, the whole bran cereal, the yeast, coffee crystals, caraway seed, sugar, salt, and fennel seed.
In saucepan, heat together the 2½ cups water, molasses, butter or margarine, chocolate, and vinegar just until warm (115 to 120℉) and chocolate and butter are almost melted; stir constantly.
Add molasses mixture to flour mixture in mixer bowl. Beat at low speed of electric mixer ½ minute, scraping bowl. Beat 3 minutes at high speed.
Stir in remaining 3 cups rye flour and as much of the remaining all-purpose flour as you can mix in with a spoon.
Turn out onto lightly floured surface. Knead in enough of the remaining all-purpose flour to make a moderately stiff dough that is smooth and elastic (6 to 8 minutes total).
Dough may be slightly sticky because of the rye flour. Shape into a ball. Place in lightly greased bowl; turn once to grease surface.
Cover; let rise in warm place until nearly double (1¼ to 2½ hours). Punch down; divide in half. Shape each half into a ball.
Place on greased baking sheets. Flatten slightly with palm of hand to 6-to 7-inch diameter. Cover; let rise until nearly double (30 to 45 minutes).
Bake in 375℉ (190℃) F oven for 50 to 60 minutes or until well browned and bread sounds hollow when tapped. Remove from baking sheets; cool on wire rack.
Meanwhile, in small saucepan combine the ½ cup cold water and cornstarch. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly; cook 1 minute more. Brush over hot bread.