Sourdough Pumpernickel Dark Rye Bread Recipe With Molasses – Baker Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Why do you put molasses in rye bread? ›

This is a good bread if you like Rye but still love a softer, chewy crumb. It is common to see molasses, dry malt, dark malt extract in Rye breads and in this case, I am going in with molasses. Molasses gives the bread a nice dark color and a subtle caramel note.

The critical difference between pumpernickel and rye bread is that rye bread is a catch-all term to describe any bread made with rye flour, whereas European pumpernickel bread is a specific type of dark rye bread made with rye meal, usually without any wheat.

Pumpernickel bread owes its deep color to the addition of molasses and cocoa powder; it's baked for only a short time in a much hotter oven, uncovered.

Pumpernickel is often considered a bit healthier, more nutrient-dense bread option compared to many rye varieties (since the bran and germ provide some great fiber, protein, and micronutrients).

Light (sometimes called "fancy") molasses is ideal for baked goods and candies.

Molasses serve several purposes in baked goods such as: Sweetening: contributing to sweetness, although with lower intensity than sucrose. Its sweetness decreases as color darkens. Flavor: providing a broad and complex range of flavors, from caramel to bitter notes.

Which bread is better for you: rye bread or sourdough bread? As long as they're made with whole grains and have limited or no added sugar, both rye bread and sourdough bread are healthy bread options.

“Researchers have found that eating rye can lower the number of harmful gut bacteria that cause inflammation.” So, pumpernickel is one bread to consider if you are also looking to add anti-inflammatory properties to your daily intake.

Molasses and a tiny bit of cocoa powder give this bread its rich, dark color.

Chambers Twentieth Century Dictionary gives the etymology as being the German word for a rackety goblin, a coarse lout, and rye-bread - possibly from its giving forth a sound like pump when struck.

Can you freeze a loaf of pumpernickel bread? ›

While pumpernickel bread that is frozen consistently at the correct temperature will keep for much longer, we recommend a storage time of up to 3 months for the highest quality taste.

Whole Grain Bread

Thanks to their high fiber and nutrient content, breads made with whole grains, including whole wheat, are generally the go-to healthiest breads that dietitians recommend.

Pumpernickel is high in fiber and provides important nutrients, making this bread a healthy addition to your diet.

Darker, rye-dominated breads, such as Vollkornbrot or Schwarzbrot, are typical of German cuisine. Pumpernickel, a steamed, sweet-tasting bread, is internationally well known, although not representative of German black bread as a whole. Most German breads are made with sourdough.

A–The rye flavor in a rye bread comes from a combination of rye flour, caraway seeds and yeast. The sour flavor results from the addition of something with an acidic flavor–usually a sour dough culture or vinegar.

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.

It contains more fiber and nutrients — especially B vitamins — and has been linked to health benefits, such as weight loss, better blood sugar control, and improved heart and digestive health. What's more, it's easy to incorporate into your diet in place of regular white or wheat breads and can easily be made at home.

We're talking, of course, about caraway seeds. These aromatic little seeds that are a member of the parsley family with a sweet yet tangy flavor (via Spice Advice). They are responsible for the "vibrant, earthy flavor a little like a strong herbal tea," in rye bread, per Thrive Cuisine.