Molasses Caraway Bread

Molasses Caraway Bread

Ingredients:

4 (1/4 oz.) packages active dry yeast
4 cups 110 degree warm water
1 cup 110 degree warm milk
6 TBSP brown sugar
1/8 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup molasses
2 cups rye flour
10 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup caraway seeds

Instructions:

Pour the warm water into a large mixing bowl.  Sprinkle in the yeast and stir until the yeast is completely dissolved.  Pour in the warm milk and both sugars.  Stir to dissolve.

Add the butter, molasses and both types of flour.  Beat with an electric mixer on medium until the mixture becomes very smooth.

Fold in the caraway seeds.  The mixture should form a soft dough if not add 2 TBSP flour at a time, stirring after each addition, until a soft dough forms.

Lightly flour a flat surface.  Turn the dough onto the floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic.  This process takes about 6 minutes or so.

Coat a large bowl with a non stick cooking spray on the bottom and up the sides.  Place the dough into the bowl and coat with the cooking spray.  Cover and place in a warm area allowing the dough to rise double its size.  This takes about 1 hour.

Remove the cover and punch the dough down with your fists.  Lightly flour the flat surface again and place the dough on the floured surface.  Divide the dough into four sections and form into loaf shapes.  Place the loaves into 4 loaf pans.

Cover and allow rising for 30 minutes.  Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Bake the bread for 30 minutes or until golden brown on the outside.  Allow to cool before slicing.