Black Russian Rye Bread

Black Russian Rye Bread
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Simplicity is part of the reason home-baked dark rye breads are so good. Traditionally, black breads and pumpernickels were baked overnight, using the residual heat of the oven, and get their distinctive color from a long, slow caramelization of the bread itself in the oven. Short-cut commercial ryes get their hue from caramel colorings and are laden with fillers that mask the true flavor of the breads. These badly made breads can put you off the real thing for good. But done well, with balance and proportion, baking a simple rye bread at home—such as this black Russian rye—can be revelatory. —Amy Scattergood, Special to Tribune NewspapersThis recipe is adapted from "The Bread Bible" by Beth Hensperger (Chronicle Books, 2004) and was originally published in the Chicago Tribune.
Prep Time
2.65
hours
Cook Time
55
minutes
Servings
16
servings
Black Russian Rye Bread recipe - The Daily Meal
Total time: 3.57 hours
Ingredients
  • 2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
  • pinch sugar
  • 2 1/2 cups warm water (105 to 115 degrees)
  • 1/2 cup dark molasses (not blackstrap)
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 stick (1/4 cup) butter
  • 1 ounce unsweetened chocolate
  • 1/2 cup (2.25 ounces) whole-wheat flour
  • 3 cup (12 ounces) rye flour
  • 3 cup (12.75 ounces) unbleached all-purpose flour, plus 1 tablespoon
  • 1 cup wheat bran
  • 2 tablespoon caraway seeds, plus 1 optional teaspoon
  • 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder
  • 1 tablespoon minced shallots
  • 1/4 cup cornmeal
Directions
  1. In a small bowl, sprinkle 2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast and a pinch of sugar over 1/2 cup of warm water (105 to 115 degrees). Stir to dissolve; let stand at room temperature until foamy, about 10 minutes.
  2. In a small saucepan, combine the remaining 2 cups water, 1/2 cup dark molasses, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/2 stick (1/4 cup) butter and 1 ounce unsweetened chocolate; heat over low heat, stirring often, until the butter and chocolate are melted, about 5 minutes. Cool to lukewarm.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup (2.25 ounces) whole-wheat flour, 3 cups (12 ounces) rye flour and 3 cups (12.75 ounces) unbleached all-purpose flour. Set aside.
  4. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine 2 cups of the mixed flours, 1 cup wheat bran, 2 tablespoons caraway seeds, 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds, 1 tablespoon salt, 1 tablespoon espresso powder and 1 tablespoon shallots.
  5. Mix in the yeast and chocolate mixtures on low speed until smooth; beat at medium speed 3 minutes.
  6. Add 1/2 cup of the remaining mixed flours at a time at low speed, just until the dough clears the sides of the bowl, begins to work its way up the paddle and springs back when pressed.
  7. Scrape the dough off the paddle; place on a floured counter. Knead by hand to make a smooth and springy yet dense dough. Form into a ball; place in a greased deep bowl. Turn once to grease the top. Cover with plastic wrap; set aside to rise in a warm area until doubled, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
  8. Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine 1/4 cup cornmeal, the remaining 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour and the remaining 1 teaspoon caraway seeds (optional). Sprinkle the cornmeal mixture on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  9. Heat the oven to 350 F.
  10. Gently deflate the dough. Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured counter. Divide the dough into two portions. Stretch each portion into a ball, pulling the edges and pinching to form a seam. Place the formed rounds, seam side down, on the baking sheet. Cover loosely with plastic wrap. Set aside to rise until puffy and almost doubled in bulk, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
  11. With a serrated knife, gently slash a 1/4-inch deep X into the top of each round. Bake the loaves until they are crusty and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom, about 45 to 50 minutes. Cool completely on a rack.
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