Traditional Homemade Pumpernickel Bread Recipe

Ingredients

  • 4 cups rye flour
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 2 packages active dry yeast
  • 1/2 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
  • 1/2 cup dark molasses
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
  • 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1 cup bran cereal
  • 1/2 cup cornmeal
  • 1 tablespoon instant coffee granules

Steps and instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine rye flour, whole wheat flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Set aside.
  2. In a separate bowl, dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
  3. Add molasses, vegetable oil, 2 cups warm water to the yeast mixture. Mix well.
  4. Gradually add the flour mixture, 1 cup at a time, to the yeast mixture, mixing well after each addition.
  5. Continue to add the remaining flour, 1 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition, until the dough has pulled together.
  6. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes.
  7. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
  8. Punch down the dough, cover and let rise again until doubled, about 40 minutes.
  9. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  10. Deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into two equal pieces and form into loaves. Place the loaves into two lightly greased 9x5 inch loaf pans. Cover the loaves with a damp cloth and let rise until doubled in volume, about 40 minutes.
  11. Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for about 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the bottom of the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.
  12. Remove from oven and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Tools for making

Recipe variations

  • Substitute the rye flour with spelt flour for a slightly nuttier flavor.
  • Add caraway seeds or fennel seeds to the dough for added flavor.
  • Include a mixture of seeds such as sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or sesame seeds for added texture.
  • Add chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for a crunchy element.
  • Replace the dark molasses with honey or maple syrup for a different sweetness.
  • Experiment with different types of cocoa powder, such as Dutch-processed or unsweetened dark cocoa powder.
  • For a lighter crust, brush the top of the loaf with an egg wash before baking.
  • Make it gluten-free by using a gluten-free flour blend instead of rye and whole wheat flour.
  • Create a vegan version by replacing honey or molasses with a vegan-friendly sweetener like agave nectar or date syrup.
  • Add dried fruits like raisins, cranberries, or chopped dates to the dough for a touch of sweetness.

Recipe overview

This is a traditional Pumpernickel recipe that results in a dense, richly flavored loaf. Pumpernickel is a type of rye bread that is originally from Germany. Its unique dark color comes from a combination of rye flour and cocoa powder. The bread has a slightly sweet taste due to the addition of molasses. This recipe involves a few key steps: combining the ingredients, kneading the dough, letting it rise, and finally baking it to perfection. The baking process gives the bread its distinctively crusty exterior and soft interior. This bread is great for hearty sandwiches, or just to enjoy with some butter or cream cheese. Whether you're new to baking bread or an experienced baker looking for a new challenge, this Pumpernickel recipe is sure to impress.

Common questions

  1. Can I substitute rye flour with another type of flour?
    Yes, you can substitute rye flour with all-purpose flour or bread flour, but keep in mind that the flavor and texture of the bread will be different.
  2. Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
    Yes, you can use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast. However, you may need to adjust the amount and follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer.
  3. Can I use light molasses instead of dark molasses?
    Yes, you can use light molasses as a substitute for dark molasses. The flavor of the bread may be slightly different, but it will still turn out delicious.
  4. Can I omit the cocoa powder?
    Yes, you can omit the cocoa powder if you prefer a traditional pumpernickel bread without a chocolate flavor. The bread will still be rich and flavorful.
  5. Can I add nuts or seeds to the dough?
    Absolutely! You can add chopped nuts, such as walnuts or sunflower seeds, to the dough when mixing the ingredients. This will add extra texture and flavor to the bread.

Serving dishes and utensils

  • Mixing Bowl - A large bowl to combine the ingredients and mix the dough.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons - To accurately measure the ingredients.
  • Dough Scraper - Helps to scrape the dough off the surface and divide it into equal portions.
  • Loaf Pans - Two 9x5 inch loaf pans to shape and bake the pumpernickel loaves.
  • Damp Cloth - To cover the dough while it rises and prevents it from drying out.
  • Wire Rack - Used for cooling the baked pumpernickel loaves to room temperature.

Origin stories

Pumpernickel, the hearty, slightly sweet rye bread, hails from Germany where it has been enjoyed since the Middle Ages. If we delve into the folklore surrounding its name, we find a rather humorous tale. It's said that Napoleon Bonaparte, who was in the Westphalia region of Germany, intended to name this bread after his horse, Nicole. However, in the local dialect, 'pumpern' is a term for flatulence and 'nickel', a demon or goblin. So, the name loosely translates to 'devil's fart', humorously reflecting on the bread's dense and sometimes hard-to-digest nature, a playful jest embraced by the Germans to this day.

Disclaimer: This recipe was not created by humans and we cannot ensure that it will turn out as expected. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this recipe (including steps, ingredients, nutritional information, and all sections on this page). You should check to make sure you are not allergic to any ingredients and take safety precautions while making this. The images on this page are generated by AI and may not accurately represent the result of making this recipe.