Teresa's Recipes
Authentic Russian Black Bread
Experience the rich, robust flavors of Russia with this hearty black bread. This staple of Russian cuisine is packed with a symphony of flavors from cocoa, caraway seeds, and instant coffee. Its dense texture makes it perfect for sopping up broths from soups and stews, or simply enjoy it with a slather of butter.
Ingredients
- 2 cups Rye flour
- 1 cup Whole wheat flour
- 1 cup All-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons Cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon Instant coffee
- 2 teaspoons Caraway seeds
- 1/4 cup Molasses
- 2 tablespoons Honey
- 2 cups Warm water
- 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) Active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- For greasing Vegetable oil
Dietary Notes
- Servings: 12
- Dish Type: Bread
- Prep Time: 2 hours
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Calories: 200
- Fat: 1g
- Carbs: 42g
- Protein: 6g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Sugar: 8g
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the rye flour, whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, instant coffee, caraway seeds, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, dissolve the honey and molasses in warm water. Sprinkle the active dry yeast over the water mixture and let it sit for 5 minutes, or until the yeast becomes foamy.
- Gradually add the yeast mixture into the dry ingredients, mixing until a dough forms.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Grease a bowl with vegetable oil, place the dough in the bowl, and cover it with a clean kitchen towel. Let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a baking sheet.
- Punch down the risen dough and shape it into a loaf. Place the loaf on the prepared baking sheet, cover it with the kitchen towel, and let it rise for an additional 30 minutes.
- Bake the bread in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing. Serve with your favorite soup or stew, or enjoy it on its own.
Tips
- For a crunchier crust, spritz the loaf with water every 10 minutes during the first half of baking.
- Caraway seeds are a signature flavor in this bread, but you can also add sunflower seeds or flax seeds for additional texture and flavor.