Bauernbrot Recipe (German farmer-style rye bread) (2024)

Bauernbrot Recipe (German farmer-style rye bread) (1)

(German farmer-style rye bread)

Authentic-tasting German bread is easier to make than you'd think. Bauernbrot, or farmer's bread, is a hearty rye bread that is the standard loaf in many German homes, especially in the south.

Bauerbrot was traditionally made from scratch in farm homes and baked in age-old, wood-fired ovens. At home, ittakes a few hours from start to finish, but most of that time is spent resting the dough or baking it. The final product has a dense crumb, full flavor and a chewy crust.

1 large loaf

Ingredients

Dough Starter

  • Bread flour -- 3/4 cup
  • Rye flour -- 3/4 cup
  • Honey or malt syrup -- 3 tablespoons
  • Lukewarm water -- 1 1/2 cups
  • Instant yeast -- 1/2 teaspoon

Flour mixture

  • Bread flour -- 2 1/2 cups
  • Caraway seeds -- 2 tablespoons
  • Salt -- 1 1/2 teaspoons
  • Instant yeast -- 1/2 teaspoon
  • Oil -- 1 tablespoon
  • Cornmeal -- for the baking tray

Method

  1. Add the ingredients for the starter to a large bowl and mix together until smooth. Set aside for 10 minutes for the yeast to activate.
  2. While the starter is resting, mix together the remaining ingredients except for the oil and cornmeal. Pour the flour mixture over the starter. Do not stir. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean towel and set aside for at least two hours and up to five hours. The starter will bubble up through the flour mixture. This long rest will give your loaf a big boost of added flavor.
  3. Add the oil to the flour mixture and use a wooden spoon to stir the flour mixture into the starter. As the mixture comes together, remove the dough to a lightly floured work surface and knead for about 10 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. The dough might be a little sticky. Knead in just enough extra flour to keep the dough from sticking to your hands.
  4. Set the dough aside to rest for about 10 minutes, then knead for another 5 to 10 minutes.
  5. Set the dough in a large, lightly oiled bowl and lightly oil the top of the dough. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean towel and set in a draft-free area of the kitchen to rise until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Remove the dough to a lightly floured work surface. Punch down the dough and lightly knead it 3 or 4 times. Form into a ball, return to the bowl, cover and let rise for another 45 minutes or so.
  6. Preheat oven to 450°F and set the shelf at the lowest level. Put a small metal pan in the oven (you will use this later). Lightly press down on the dough and form it into a ball. Sprinkle the cornmeal onto a baking sheet and set the dough onto the baking sheet, with any seams on the bottom. Lightly oil the top of the dough and cover it with plastic wrap. Set aside to rise for another hour.
  7. Use a sharp knife or razor blade to slash the top of the dough in 3 parallel lines, each about 1/4-inch deep. Then slash with another set of 3 lines perpendicular to the first set. Use a spray bottle to mist the dough with water.
  8. Set the baking sheet in the oven and pour about 1 cup of water into the small pan to create steam. Shut the door immediately and bake for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 400°F and bake for another 35 to 45 minutes. (An insta-read thermometer inserted into the middle of the loaf should register 190°F.)
  9. Set the loaf on a cooling rack and let cool completely.

Bauernbrot Variations

  • Flour: Vary the proportion of rye flour and bread flour to your liking. Or eliminate the rye flour altogether and use all bread flour. You can also make a whole wheat loaf by replacing about 1/2 of the bread flour with whole wheat flour. You will need to add a little more water if you do.
  • Other Additions: Mix 3 tablespoons sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, linseeds, flaxseeds, cracked wheat, rye or spelt into the flour mixture for added texture.
  • Rising Time: For even better flavor, let the starter ferment for an hour a room temperature. Then set it in the refrigerator to ferment slowly for another 8 to 24 hours. Return it to room temperature before proceeding with the recipe. This works well if you want to start bread the night before for lunch or dinner the next day.
  • For the Crust: For a darker crust, brush the dough with some buttermilk, yogurt or dark coffee just before baking. Use a baking stone for even better crust development. Set the stone in the oven about an hour before baking to preheat it thoroughly. After the final rise, move the dough directly to the stone to bake.

Germany

Breads

Rye

Baking

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Bauernbrot Recipe (German farmer-style rye bread) (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between German rye bread and rye bread? ›

Pure rye bread contains only rye flour, without any wheat. German-style pumpernickel, a dark, dense, and close-textured loaf, is made from crushed or ground whole rye grains, usually without wheat flour, baked for long periods at a low temperature in a covered tin.

Is Bauernbrot rye bread healthy? ›

This bread is low in gluten, high in lysine (the amino acid that is good for the human body), and very low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium. It is also packed with zinc, copper, and selenium and contains dietary fiber and manganese.

What is the German name for rye bread? ›

It is quite common these days to make a German rye bread, known there as grey bread, or Mischbrot, with both wheat and rye. Mischbrot literally means mixed bread or bread that has been made with a mix of rye and white bread flour. For this recipe I will be mixing freshly ground rye and white-wheat flour.

Why is bread in Germany so good? ›

Germany doesn't have the same amount of sunshine as southern France or Italy, and many areas are not conducive to wheat production, so grains such as rye and spelt tended to thrive better here and produced breads still consumed today. The wheat-based breads remained in the southern cities like Munich and Stuttgart.

Is German rye bread healthier? ›

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.

Is German style rye bread healthy? ›

Strong Bones and Tissues. A diet that includes rye bread helps build healthy bones and tissues throughout the body. This is thanks to a swath of nutrients, like the calcium and manganese it contains, as well as iron that builds red blood cells and B vitamins that promote cell growth and repair.

What are the disadvantages of rye bread? ›

Allergies and Side-Effects of Rye
  • Rye does fall under the category of glutinous food because it contains gluten, a protein that many people are sensitive or intolerant to.
  • Due to the presence of high fiber and gluten content, rye may be a major cause of gas and bloating in sensitive individuals.
Dec 13, 2022

Is it OK to eat rye bread everyday? ›

The answer is yes but with conditions. Rye bread is a healthy choice for most people. It is a good source of fiber and other nutrients and has been linked to a lower risk of heart disease, cancer, and type II diabetes.

What is the healthiest rye bread to buy? ›

The healthiest rye breads are made from 100% whole-grain sprouted rye flour, in addition to other sprouted grain flours. Since sprouting increases grains' fiber content, sprouted rye is higher in fiber and healthier than non-sprouted rye. One slice (28 grams) of sprouted rye bread provides : Calories: 60.

How do Germans eat rye bread? ›

Traditional accompaniments for German rye bread include butter, cream cheese, pickles, and various types of cold cuts such as salami or ham. These pairings complement the rich and earthy flavors of the rye bread.

Is German rye the same as pumpernickel? ›

"Pumpern" is the German word for "intestinal wind" and "nickel" is a word for demon or sprite. In contrast to the flour used for pumpernickel, regular rye flour is ground from the endosperm of the rye berry after the outer layers of bran and the germ have been removed.

What is the healthiest German bread? ›

Three Breads for a Healthy Lifestyle
  • Fitnessbrot, or Vollkornbrot. These moist and flavorful breads are made from healthy whole grains like rye, spelt, barley and seeds like sunflower, flax or pumpkin. ...
  • Zwieback – Rusk. ...
  • Knäckebrot – Crispbread.

Do Germans eat bread everyday? ›

Bread is enjoyed with most meals, especially breakfast and dinner, but also at lunch (usually considered the main meal of the day), which will often be served with rolls on the side.

What is the most popular bread in Germany? ›

The most popular type of German bread can vary depending on the region and personal preferences. However, some of the most beloved breads in Germany include Roggenbrot, a sourdough rye bread, and Weißbrot, a classic white loaf bread.

Do Germans eat bread for breakfast? ›

The German bread and butter for breakfast is... well, bread and butter! Lightly toasted or freshly sliced, you add a generous spread of butter or margarine and then pick your topping. As a topping, Germans like it sweet, like jams, marmelade, Nutella or honey.

What type of rye bread is the best? ›

The healthiest rye breads are made from 100% whole-grain sprouted rye flour, in addition to other sprouted grain flours. Since sprouting increases grains' fiber content, sprouted rye is higher in fiber and healthier than non-sprouted rye. One slice (28 grams) of sprouted rye bread provides : Calories: 60.

What does German rye bread taste like? ›

Flavor: Mild flavor that's nutty, earthy, and slightly malty. (Think of the flavor of an old-fashioned malted milkshake.) Similar to whole wheat flour, it has a “greener” (think fresher) flavor. It lends itself to pairings with fruits and spices, and is also a natural fit with chocolate and nuts.

What country makes the best rye bread? ›

Latvian rye bakers, whom many Europeans regard as the world's best, are known for their dark, dense loaves, complex sweet-sour flavor profiles and sophisticated centuries-old techniques for controlling rye's quirky chemistry.

References

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