Description
This Rustic German Bread recipe creates a hearty, crusty loaf with authentic flavor using simple pantry staples. Ready in just over two hours, it’s an easy homemade artisan bread perfect for beginners and seasoned bakers alike.
Ingredients
Scale
- 350 ml water (room temperature)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 8 grams dry yeast
- 25 ml sunflower oil
- 500 grams flour (plus extra for dusting)
Substitutions:
- Replace 20% of flour with rye flour for a traditional German flavor.
- Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free bread.
- Swap sunflower oil with olive oil if needed.
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine water, sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and let sit 5 minutes until frothy.
- Add sunflower oil, then gradually mix in flour until a sticky dough forms.
- Cover and let rise for 1 hour in a warm place until doubled in size.
- Gently stir to deflate, cover again, and rest for 30 minutes.
- Turn dough onto a floured surface, fold into a rectangle, rest 10 minutes, then shape into a loaf or rolls. Transfer to a parchment-lined tray.
- Slash the top with a sharp knife. Bake at 230°C (446°F) for 30–40 minutes until golden and hollow-sounding. Cool on a wire rack.
Notes
For a crispier crust, place a pan of water in the oven for steam. Reduce water by 10% at high altitudes to prevent over-rising. Bread is done when internal temperature reaches 190°F.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (50g)
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 0.3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: rustic german bread, artisan bread, homemade bread, german baking, easy yeast bread