German Culture

All about Germany

  • Home
  • Learn German
  • Articles
    • Famous Germans
    • German Holidays
    • Cuisine
    • How To In Germany
    • Daily Life
    • German Facts
    • German Traditions
  • Facts About Germany
  • German History
  • German Recipes
    • German Baking Recipes
    • German Christmas Recipes
    • Desserts
    • Easter Recipes
    • Halloween Recipes
    • Main Dishes
    • Salads
    • Sauerkraut Recipes
  • Travel to Germany
  • Contact

Bauernbrot

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. It was traditionally made from scratch in farm homes and baked in age-old, wood-fired ovens. It takes 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.

Ingredients:

Starter:

1 1/2 ounces (42 g) compressed fresh yeast
4 cups warm water
2 tablespoons white sugar
4 cups all-purpose flour

Dough:

8 cups rye flour
4 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons salt
1 teaspoon white sugar
2 cups warm water

Preparation:

  1. Mix all starter ingredients in a large bowl. Cover the starter with plastic wrap and let it rest on the counter for 24 hours.
  2. Using a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, add the dough ingredients to the starter, starting with ½ c all purpose flour. Add additional all purpose flour as needed to help the dough come together. Knead on the mixer for 4-5 minutes, or turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead by hand for 10-15 minutes.
    Shape the kneaded dough into a ball. Cover it with a damp tea towel and let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for 2 hours.
  3. Knead the dough a couple of times and shape it into its final round shape. Place the shaped dough onto a cornmeal-dusted baking sheet. Brush the top of the dough with a little of the egg white mixture and cut a few slices in the top of the dough, using a serrated knife. Let the shaped dough rise for 40-50 minutes.
  4. Close to the end of rising time, preheat your oven to 425F (220C). Bake the bread for 40-45 minutes, until the bread sounds hollow when tapped.
  5. Remove the bread from the baking sheet, and let it cool at least 10-15 minutes on a wire rack before cutting and serving with fresh butter.




Related recipes:
Rosinenbrot (German Raisin Bread)
Weizenbrötchen – German Rolls
Kartoffelbrot – German Potato Bread

You might also like:

  • Pumpernickel - German Rye BreadPumpernickel - German Rye Bread
  • RäuberbrötchenRäuberbrötchen
  • Donauwelle KuchenDonauwelle Kuchen
  • Prinzregententorte – Bavarian Layered Chocolate CakePrinzregententorte – Bavarian Layered Chocolate Cake

Recent Posts

Coronavirus in Germany: Drastic Measures

Coronavirus in Germany: Drastic Measures

Bavarian Alps

Bavarian Alps

Prinzregententorte – Bavarian Layered Chocolate Cake

Prinzregententorte – Bavarian Layered Chocolate Cake

Donauwelle Kuchen

Donauwelle Kuchen

German Flag Origin

German Flag Origin

Copyright © 2022 · German Culture