Homemade Rye Bread: Crusty and Chewy

Prepare the dry base. In your largest bowl, whisk together 150g rye flour, 350g bread flour, 10g fine sea salt, and 1 tbsp caraway seeds until perfectly combined.

Activate the liquids. In a separate jar, whisk 25g honey and 1 tsp apple cider vinegar into 350ml warm water (aim for 95°F). Stir in 7g instant yeast and let it sit for a minute until it looks slightly creamy.

The Shaggy Mass Phase. Pour the liquid mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir with your sturdy spoon until no dry flour streaks remain. Note: It will look messy and feel very sticky; this is exactly what you want.

Mixing. Continue stirring for about 2 minutes to ensure the honey and yeast are evenly distributed. Do not try to knead this like normal bread; it's too sticky for that.

The Fermentation Journey. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth. Leave it in a draft free spot for 3 to 12 hours. Watch for it to double in size and look bubbly.

Preheat and Prep. Place your Dutch oven in the oven and preheat to 450°F (230°C). Sprinkle 1 tbsp cornmeal onto a piece of parchment paper.

Shape the loaf. Gently scrape the dough onto the parchment. With floured hands, pat it into a rough oval or round shape. Don't overwork it or you'll lose the air bubbles.

The over High heat Bake. Carefully lift the parchment and dough into the hot Dutch oven. Cover with the lid. Bake for 30 minutes until the structure is set and the aroma fills the room.

The Final Crisp. Remove the lid. Brush the top with a whisked large egg (for shine) if desired. Bake for another 15 minutes until the crust is deep mahogany and sounds hollow when tapped.

The Cooling Test. This is the hardest part: let it cool for at least 1 hour before slicing. Note: Slicing too early causes the steam to escape, which makes the bread gummy. Ultimate Homemade Beans on Toast Ready in 30 Minutes — Ditch the tin Learn how to make the ultimate baked beans on toast from scratc...Homemade Crescent Roll Breakfast Casserole: Buttery & Savory — Discover this Homemade Crescent Roll Breakfast Casserole, a simple yet satisf...Sausage Stuffing Classic Recipe with Crispy Sage and Thyme Crust — This deeply savory Sausage Stuffing recipe delivers the perfect golden crisp ... $img_2$