One of my plans this year is to bake more bread. Those of you who have been reading this blog for sometime will know that I have never considered myself a baker and, generally, this still holds true for making cakes and biscuits really doesn’t excite me at all.
Yet, I would no longer say that I cannot bake. The wedding cake I made was perfectly edible; I can whip up a few different kinds of more-ish cookies; my Finnish apple cake always goes down well and I have recently discovered the secret to making a very good sourdough loaf.
It was not until this past week, however, that I have been one hundred percent, truly and utterly happy with a baked good of my own. Happy I am, though. This maple and carraway rye bread is fantastic. Especially the crust.
Oh, the crust…
You must taste this crust, people. You must.
Maple and Carraway Rye Bread (adapted from Bacheldre Recipe Collection)
1 tblspn dried active yeast (if you have fresh yeast then great. Use it as you normally would but ensure you incorporate all 350 ml of water in the final mixing stages)
220g rye flour
320g strong white flour
1 tblspn salt
60g maple syrup
40g unsalted butter
2 tblspn carraway seeds
3 tblspn seeds (I used mixed but sunflower or pumpkin would be good)
350ml warm water
- Add the yeast to 150ml of warm water and whisk. Leave in a warm place for 15 minutes until mixture begins to froth. Stir in 2 tablespoons of the rye flour and leave again in a warm place for 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, add the butter and maple syrup to a small pan and heat very gently until butter has melted. Sift the remaining rye flour with the white flour and salt. Stir in the seeds.
- Add the yeast mixture and the buttery syrup to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Cover with a tea-towel and leave in a warm, draftless place for 10 minutes.
- Lightly oil a work surface, turn dough out onto it and knead firmly for 10 seconds. Place back in bowl and leave for another 10 minutes. Knead for another 10 seconds then again return to bowl and leave, this time for 45 minutes.
- Remove dough from bowl and punch the air out. Place in oiled circular tin and leave in a warm place for 1.5 hours.
- Heat the oven to 200 oC. Sprinkle the loaf with rye flour and bake in the centre of the oven for 50 minutes.
- Remove from tin and cool thoroughly.
Best eaten toasted and topped with something cool and creamy (ricotta, cottage cheese, cream cheese etc).
A Wee Bit of Cooking 
Well done! I’m always on the look out for new twists on rye bread and a little maple syrup sounds like it would be really good. I love putting cottage cheese on dark, crusty bread too. Thought I was the only one…
Bake more bread? Now that’s a plan. 🙂
That crust looks fantastic – I am glad to see you coming around to seeing yourself as a baker given the wonderful baked goods you produce!
Oh yes! I am going to bake this bread – TOMORROW!! Thank you Wendy.
Happy new year!
I’m with you on the bread, especially if it is as good as this.
All the best
David
That bread looks mouthwatering! I must also get back to the bread baking. I guess I am the opposite in that I enjoy baking the most of all types of cooking!
You must, you must, you must go bake this crust! yes, I think I may have to – it looks fantastic and I like the sound of Maple and caraway – very much so. I’m supposed to be on a detox Wendy!! Ah, detox shmeetox.
Sounds yummy, particularly the inclusion of seeds other than caraway. Have you considered throwing in some flaxseed/linseed?
The bread looks fantastic – it seems that many of us have resolved to do more bread making this year 🙂
Siri – Nope. There are at least two of us!
Susan – Care to join me? 🙂
Johanna – You are too kind. Don’t think I’ll ever reach your standards!
Helen – Let me know how it goes!
David – Happy New Year to you too!
Bev – My partner does too. Think it’s the scientist in him. 🙂
Helen – Oh, do. It’s wonderful. Not interested in other breads just now!
DaviMack – I’ve just been using what’s in the cupboard so far. Like the linseed idea. Shall buy some and include them soon.
City Girl – You too? Must be an epidemic. A good one, of course.
Bread is such a staple for so many people around the world that I think being able to bake bread is very important, I’m glad to hear you’re picking it up. I too am not interested in baking pastries or cakes but bread, the bread you serve with a meal can add or take away so much.
That does sound good – with a sliver of smoked salmon??? Or ham??? i like the resolution, too!