Hearty Pumpernickel Bread 🍞🌾

This robust and flavorful pumpernickel bread is a delightful addition to any meal. The earthy flavors of rye and cocoa meld beautifully, creating a rich bread that pairs perfectly with soups, stews, or regardless of whether you’re crafting a delicious sandwich. With a little patience during the baking process, you’ll be rewarded with a loaf that fills your home with an irresistible aroma. Enjoy a slice fresh out of the oven with a smear of butter or your favorite spread! 🧈🍞

Ingredients

For a 1.5-pound loaf:

• 1 cup of water
• ¼ cup of molasses
• 1 tablespoon of margarine or butter, softened
• 2 cups of bread flour
• 1 and ¼ cups of rye flour
• 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons of salt
• 2 and ½ teaspoons of yeast

For a 2-pound loaf:

• 1 and ⅓ cups of water
• ⅜ cup of molasses
• 4 teaspoons of margarine or butter, softened
• 2 and ½ cups of bread flour
• 1 and ½ cups of rye flour
• 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons of salt
• 3 teaspoons of yeast

Instructions

1. Begin by measuring and adding all the liquid ingredients (water, molasses, and margarine/butter) to the bread pan.
2. Measure and add all dry ingredients (bread flour, rye flour, cocoa, salt) to the bread pan, keeping the yeast aside.
3. Create a well in the dry ingredients using your finger (about a finger width deep) and pour the yeast into this well.

💡 Important: Yeast should never touch liquid ingredients directly when adding to the mix to ensure proper activation!

4. Snap the baking pan into the kneading chamber and securely close the lid.

5. Select the appropriate cycle for your bread machine, usually the "whole wheat" or "dark" setting for optimal results.

🕒 Baking Time: Depending on your machine, this can take about 3 to 4 hours. Enjoy the wait as the smell takes over your kitchen!

Tips & Tricks

• Storage: Once your bread cools, store it in a plastic bag to retain its moisture. It can last several days at room temperature or can be frozen for long-term storage. 💧❄️
• Add-ins: Consider adding caraway seeds or sunflower seeds for added flavor and texture.
• Crust preference: For a softer crust, you can brush the top with melted butter as soon as it comes out of the pan. For a crunchier crust, let it cool uncovered on a rack.

Variations

• Gluten-free: Substitute rye flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend. This might alter the texture slightly, but it remains delicious! 🥳
• Sweet version: To create a sweeter pumpernickel, add a tablespoon of sugar or honey to the liquid ingredients.
• Herbed pumpernickel: Incorporate dried herbs like thyme or rosemary into the dry mix for an aromatic twist.

Give this hearty pumpernickel bread a try, and you’ll find yourself baking it time and time again! Happy baking! 🎉🍞