How to Make Polish Sourdough Rye Bread - A Step-by-Step Guide

Polish Sourdough Rye Bread, also known as "Chleb z Zakwasem" in Polish, is a traditional bread that has been a staple in Polish cuisine for centuries. This hearty and flavorful bread is made with rye flour and a sourdough starter, giving it a dense, chewy texture and a tangy, slightly sour flavor. It is often enjoyed as a side dish with soups and stews, used for sandwiches, or simply enjoyed on its own with a spread of butter.

What sets Polish Sourdough Rye Bread apart from other brea...

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Ingredients

  • 2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast
  • 1 teaspoon white sugar
  • 2 cups water
  • 4 cups rye flour
  • 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 8 cups bread flour
  • 1 tablespoon caraway seed

Information

  • Servings: 36
  • Yield: 3 loaves

  • The night before making the bread, in a medium sized mixing bowl, dissolve one packet of yeast and the sugar in 2 cups of water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes. Stir in the rye flour until the mixture is smooth. Cover and let stand overnight.
  • The next day, dissolve the remaining package of yeast in the buttermilk. Add the rye flour mixture, the baking soda, the salt, 4 cups of the bread flour and stir to combine. Add the remaining 4 cups of bread flour, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring well after each addition (you may not need to add all of the flour). When the dough has become a smooth and coherent mass, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and supple, about 8 minutes. Sprinkle the caraway seeds on the dough and knead them in until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
  • Lightly oil a large mixing bowl. Place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with the oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until the volume has doubled.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and divide into three pieces. Form each piece into a loaf and place in 3 lightly greased 9x5 inch bread pans. Cover and let rise until nearly doubled, about 1 hour.
  • Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for about 35 minutes or until the bottom of the loaves sound hollow when tapped.
  • Nutrition

    156 cal.

    • Total Fat: 1g
    • Saturated Fat: 0g
    • Cholesterol: 0mg
    • Sodium: 237mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 32g
    • Dietary Fiber: 3g
    • Total Sugars: 1g
    • Protein: 5g
    • Vitamin C: 0mg
    • Calcium: 17mg
    • Iron: 2mg
    • Potassium: 78mg