Cocoa Rye Bread

Total Time: 4 hrs 10 mins Preparation Time: 3 hrs 30 mins Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 cup lukewarm water
• 2 tablespoons yeast
• 1 cup molasses
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1/4 cup shortening
• 2 1/2 cups lukewarm water
• 4 cups rye flour
• 1/2 cup cocoa
• 5 cups flour (or whole wheat)
• 1 cup raisins (optional)
• 1 cup walnuts (optional)

Recipe

• 1 dissolve sugar in 1/2 cup warm water and sprinkle yeast over, and allow to stand 10 minutes til yeast rises. stir.
• 2 add molasses, salt and shortening to the 2 1/2 cups lukewarm water.
• 3 stir the rye flour and cocoa together, then beat into the molasses mixture.
• 4 add the dissolved yeast and 1 cup of flour and beat til dough is smooth.
• 5 keep adding flour until dough is firm enough to turn onto a floured surface.
• 6 knead the rest of the flour into it until dough is smooth and elastic.
• 7 place in a greased bowl, cover and allow to rise in a warm place free from drafts. (approx 2 hours).
• 8 punch dough down.
• 9 shape into 2 or 3 loaves and place in well greased loaf pans.
• 10 allow to rise again 1 hour.
• 11 bake 375f 35-40 minutes.
• 12 (if you want, add the raisins and walnuts with the flour for a delicious tea bread).