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Simple Pumpernickel:

Ingredients

Night before:

  • 1 cup dark rye
  • 3/4 cup warm water
  • 1/4 teaspoon instant yeast

Day of:

  • 2 1/2 cups bread flour
  • 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1/2 cup bran flakes
  • 2 tablespoons molasses
  • 1 tablespoon cocoa power
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon instant yeast
  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 1 cup warm water

Method

The night before you make this pumpernickel, add all the "night before ingredients" into a bowl and mix till smooth. Cover with plastic wrap allow to rest on the counter for 12-16 hours. The next day mix the night before mixture and water in a large bowl. Mix in with a wooden spoon the bran, molasses, oil, cocoa powder, salt, instant yeast and whole wheat flour. Allow to rest uncovered for 10 minutes. Start to add in the bread flour, about a half cup at a time. After each addition mix with a wooden spoon till smooth. Once the dough becomes to hard to mix, pour out onto a floured surface. Continue to add more flour and knead for 10 minute. You want the dough to be a little sticky but not sticking to your hands. After kneading, place dough into a lightly oiled bowl. Turn over a few times to lightly coat all sides. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rest for 2 hours. After resting, pour the dough out onto a flat surface and cut in half. Shape each piece into a log shape. Take a piece of parchment paper and sprinkle some cornmeal on top. Place the loaves onto the corn meal and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to rest for 1 hour . About 45 minutes before baking, place your baking stone into the oven and preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Also place a cast iron skillet on the bottom of the oven, to create steam. If you are using a cookie sheet do not place the cookie sheet into the oven before hand. Sprinkle some whole wheat flour on top. Using a sharp knife score the top of each loaf. Place the loaves into the oven, then pour about a cup of boiling water into the hot cast iron skillet and close the door. Bake for 30-35 minutes or till the bottom of the loaf sounds hollow when tapped. Cool on a wire rack.