Black bread with kvass and bran
Description
The recipe won't take much time. The additions of kvass, cocoa, and coffee give the bread not only a wonderful aroma but also a beautiful deep, rich color. Bake this bread in the oven, definitely with steam at the beginning—simply splash some hot water onto the bottom of the oven at around 70 degrees Celsius and let the bread rise a little longer. Then increase the heat to 220 degrees and bake until golden brown with a crisp, hollow-sounding crust. It will be perfect. Serve warm or cooled. Ideal with tea.
Instructions
- 1
Step 1
I prefer to knead bread using a bread machine, especially rye bread, as it's always slightly sticky and harder to work with by hand. Mix the sifted flour of three types, bread crumbs, and rye bran.
- 2
Step 2
Measure warm water into a cup and dissolve coffee, honey, and cocoa in it.
- 3
Step 3
Place the ingredients into the bread machine bucket according to the instructions for your model. Add the butter, spices, and sunflower seeds.
- 4
Step 4
Add the yeast last and pour in the kvass. Start the dough kneading cycle. Let the dough rise until doubled in volume, then knead again for a few minutes to settle the dough and allow it to rise once more.
- 5
Step 5
Slightly knead the risen dough and shape it into a loaf or round bread. I prefer baking round bread—it feels cozier and more homey to me, as well as tastier.
- 6
Step 6
Transfer the bread to a baking sheet with parchment paper or a mat, and sprinkle it lightly with flour on top. Let it rise a little longer.
- 7
Step 7
Then, using a very sharp knife or razor, make several cuts. It looks more interesting if you try to create a pattern. By the way, it's convenient to make the cuts with a stationery paper cutter.
- 8
Step 8
Place the bread in an oven preheated to 70°C, splash half a cup of hot water, and let the bread rise again with steam for about one and a half times longer. Then increase the temperature to 220–240°C and bake until the crust begins to form but is still soft. Reduce the heat to 200°C and continue baking until fully done. The total baking time will be about half an hour. Once done, loosely cover the bread with a towel and let it cool and mature for at least a few hours, preferably overnight.
- 9
Step 9
Then the flavor of the bread will be fully revealed.