36-Hour Fermented Dark Rye with Malted Barley Recipe

Learn how to make the best homemade dark rye bread using a 36-hour fermentation for unmatched flavor development. This authentic recipe combines the earthiness of dark rye flour with the sweetness of malted barley for a dense, nutritious loaf with exceptional keeping qualities. Perfect for sourdough enthusiasts looking to expand their bread-making repertoire.
Difficulty:
Advanced
Prep Time:
40 mins
Cook Time:
50 mins
Serves:
1 loaf (16 slices)
A dramatic cross-section of a rustic round loaf showcasing the dark, dense crumb studded with small air pockets against a deep chocolate-brown backdrop. Shot in soft morning light against a flour-dusted wooden board, with scattered malted barley grains and rye berries creating visual context. Steam gently rises from the freshly cut surface, highlighting the loaf's warm, just-baked quality. The contrast between the nearly black crust—shiny and blistered from proper fermentation—and the deep amber interior creates a visually striking composition that emphasizes the bread's artisanal character and long fermentation process.

Ingredients

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"><li class="ingredients-single-item">200g active sourdough starter (100% hydration)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">300g dark rye flour</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">150g bread flour</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">50g malted barley flour (or ground malted barley)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">350g filtered water, at room temperature</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">12g salt</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">15g molasses (optional, enhances color and flavor)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">20g caraway seeds (optional)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">15g sunflower oil</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">Rye flour for dusting</li></ul>

Equipment

<ul class="equipment-main-list"><li class="equipment-single-item">Dutch oven or bread cloche</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Bread proofing basket (banneton)</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Dough scraper</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Kitchen scale</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Lame or sharp knife for scoring</li></ul>

Directions

<ol class="no-list-style"><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4>Begin your fermentation journey by ensuring your sourdough starter is active and bubbly. Feed it 12 hours before beginning the dough if necessary. A ripe starter should double in size and pass the float test (a small amount should float when dropped in water).</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4>In a large mixing bowl, combine the active starter with the filtered water and molasses (if using), stirring until fully dissolved. The water temperature is crucial here – aim for 28-30°C to kickstart fermentation in this dense dough.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4>Add the dark rye flour, bread flour, and malted barley flour to the bowl. Mix thoroughly with your hands or a wooden spoon until no dry spots remain. This will be notably stickier and denser than a typical wheat dough – this is expected with high-percentage rye breads. Cover with a damp cloth and allow to autolyse (rest) for 1 hour, allowing the flours to fully hydrate.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4>After the autolyse, add the salt and caraway seeds (if using) by sprinkling them over the dough, then incorporate by folding the dough over itself repeatedly. Add the sunflower oil and work it into the dough. Rye contains less gluten than wheat, so you won't develop the same extensibility, but proper mixing ensures even distribution of ingredients.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4>Cover the bowl with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and begin the bulk fermentation at room temperature (21-23°C) for 4-6 hours. During this time, perform 3-4 gentle stretch and folds at 45-minute intervals, being careful not to deflate the dough. The high rye content means the dough will remain somewhat dense and won't rise dramatically.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4>After the initial bulk fermentation, shape the dough into a tight ball. Rye dough is notably sticky, so use wet hands and a generous dusting of rye flour. Place the shaped dough seam-side up in a well-floured banneton or cloth-lined bowl. Dust the exposed surface liberally with rye flour to prevent sticking.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4>Cover the banneton and place it in the refrigerator for the extended cold fermentation period of 24-30 hours. This prolonged fermentation develops the complex flavors and acidity that characterize traditional rye breads, while also improving digestibility by breaking down complex carbohydrates and phytic acid.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 8</h4>About 1 hour before baking, place your Dutch oven or baking stone in the oven and preheat to 250°C. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes – not much longer, as rye dough can become overly slack.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 9</h4>When ready to bake, carefully turn the dough out onto a piece of parchment paper. Score the loaf with your lame or sharp knife – traditional patterns for rye include a simple cross or square pattern. Rye dough won't expand dramatically during baking, so scoring can be more decorative than functional.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 10</h4>Transfer the dough on the parchment paper into your preheated Dutch oven, cover with the lid, and bake at 250°C for 20 minutes. This creates the steam environment crucial for proper crust development. After 20 minutes, reduce the temperature to 230°C, remove the lid, and continue baking for 25-30 minutes until the crust is deep mahogany brown and the internal temperature reaches at least 96°C.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 11</h4>Remove the bread from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool completely – this will take at least 4 hours, preferably overnight. Rye bread contains complex starches that need time to set; cutting too soon will result in a gummy texture. The patience required here is rewarded with proper texture development.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 12</h4>Once completely cooled, store the bread wrapped in a clean kitchen towel or beeswax wrap. Unlike wheat breads, rye improves over the first 2-3 days as the flavors continue to develop and the crumb stabilizes. This bread will keep for up to a week at room temperature due to its natural acidity, and it freezes exceptionally well for longer storage.</li></ol>

FAQs

Find answers to your most pressing questions about this delicious recipe right here.

What ingredients are used in 36-Hour Fermented Dark Rye with Malted Barley Recipe?

This artisanal bread requires sourdough starter, dark rye flour, bread flour, malted barley flour, filtered water, salt, and optionally molasses for depth, caraway seeds for flavour, and sunflower oil for texture. The combination creates a complex, deeply flavourful loaf.

How to cook 36-Hour Fermented Dark Rye with Malted Barley Recipe at home?

Learn how to cook 36-Hour Fermented Dark Rye with Malted Barley Recipe by mixing active sourdough starter with flours and water, followed by bulk fermentation at room temperature for 4-6 hours, then cold fermentation for 24-30 hours. Bake in a Dutch oven at 250°C for 20 minutes covered, then 25-30 minutes uncovered at 230°C until deeply browned.

Why is the extended fermentation period essential for dark rye bread?

The 36-hour fermentation develops complex flavours and acidity characteristic of traditional rye breads. This process breaks down complex carbohydrates and phytic acid, improving digestibility, enhancing preservation qualities, and creating the distinctive tangy depth that makes authentic rye so prized.

Can I use commercial yeast instead of sourdough starter for rye bread?

While possible, commercial yeast won't provide the same depth of flavour or preservation qualities. Sourdough cultures contain beneficial bacteria that help break down rye's complex structures, prevent gumminess, and create the perfect pH balance that gives traditional rye its distinctive character.

What's the secret to achieving a moist crumb in dense rye loaves?

The key lies in proper hydration (65-70%), extended fermentation to break down starches, and most importantly, allowing the bread to cool completely—at least 4 hours or overnight—before slicing. Rye contains complex starches that need time to set, cutting too early results in a gummy texture.

Want to try something else in ...

Artisan Bread

Try following recommended recipes

{ "@context": "http://schema.org/", "@type": "Recipe", "name": "36-Hour Fermented Dark Rye with Malted Barley Recipe", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Gurbir Aujla", "brand": "What's Baking?", "jobTitle": "Baker" }, "datePublished": "2024-06-12", "description": "Learn how to make the best homemade dark rye bread using a 36-hour fermentation for unmatched flavor development. This authentic recipe combines the earthiness of dark rye flour with the sweetness of malted barley for a dense, nutritious loaf with exceptional keeping qualities. Perfect for sourdough enthusiasts looking to expand their bread-making repertoire.", "prepTime": "PT40M", "cookTime": "PT50M", "totalTime": "PT38H30M", "keywords": "fermented rye bread, malted barley bread, sourdough rye, artisan rye bread, long fermentation bread", "recipeYield": "16", "recipeCategory": "Bread", "recipeCuisine": "European", "nutrition": { "@type": "NutritionInformation", "calories": "165 calories", "carbohydrateContent": "32 g", "proteinContent": "5 g", "fatContent": "2 g", "saturatedFatContent": "0.3 g", "cholesterolContent": "0 mg", "sodiumContent": "390 mg", "sugarContent": "1 g", "servingSize": "1 slice" }, "recipeIngredient": [ "200g active sourdough starter (100% hydration)", "300g dark rye flour", "150g bread flour", "50g malted barley flour (or ground malted barley)", "350g filtered water, at room temperature", "12g salt", "15g molasses (optional, enhances color and flavor)", "20g caraway seeds (optional)", "15g sunflower oil", "Rye flour for dusting" ], "recipeInstructions": [ { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Prepare Starter", "text": "Begin your fermentation journey by ensuring your sourdough starter is active and bubbly. Feed it 12 hours before beginning the dough if necessary. A ripe starter should double in size and pass the float test (a small amount should float when dropped in water)." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Mix Liquids", "text": "In a large mixing bowl, combine the active starter with the filtered water and molasses (if using), stirring until fully dissolved. The water temperature is crucial here – aim for 28-30°C to kickstart fermentation in this dense dough." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Add Flours", "text": "Add the dark rye flour, bread flour, and malted barley flour to the bowl. Mix thoroughly with your hands or a wooden spoon until no dry spots remain. This will be notably stickier and denser than a typical wheat dough – this is expected with high-percentage rye breads. Cover with a damp cloth and allow to autolyse (rest) for 1 hour, allowing the flours to fully hydrate." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Add Remaining Ingredients", "text": "After the autolyse, add the salt and caraway seeds (if using) by sprinkling them over the dough, then incorporate by folding the dough over itself repeatedly. Add the sunflower oil and work it into the dough. Rye contains less gluten than wheat, so you won't develop the same extensibility, but proper mixing ensures even distribution of ingredients." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Bulk Fermentation", "text": "Cover the bowl with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and begin the bulk fermentation at room temperature (21-23°C) for 4-6 hours. During this time, perform 3-4 gentle stretch and folds at 45-minute intervals, being careful not to deflate the dough. The high rye content means the dough will remain somewhat dense and won't rise dramatically." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Shape Dough", "text": "After the initial bulk fermentation, shape the dough into a tight ball. Rye dough is notably sticky, so use wet hands and a generous dusting of rye flour. Place the shaped dough seam-side up in a well-floured banneton or cloth-lined bowl. Dust the exposed surface liberally with rye flour to prevent sticking." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Cold Fermentation", "text": "Cover the banneton and place it in the refrigerator for the extended cold fermentation period of 24-30 hours. This prolonged fermentation develops the complex flavors and acidity that characterize traditional rye breads, while also improving digestibility by breaking down complex carbohydrates and phytic acid." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Preheat Oven", "text": "About 1 hour before baking, place your Dutch oven or baking stone in the oven and preheat to 250°C. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes – not much longer, as rye dough can become overly slack." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Score Dough", "text": "When ready to bake, carefully turn the dough out onto a piece of parchment paper. Score the loaf with your lame or sharp knife – traditional patterns for rye include a simple cross or square pattern. Rye dough won't expand dramatically during baking, so scoring can be more decorative than functional." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Bake", "text": "Transfer the dough on the parchment paper into your preheated Dutch oven, cover with the lid, and bake at 250°C for 20 minutes. This creates the steam environment crucial for proper crust development. After 20 minutes, reduce the temperature to 230°C, remove the lid, and continue baking for 25-30 minutes until the crust is deep mahogany brown and the internal temperature reaches at least 96°C." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Cool Completely", "text": "Remove the bread from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool completely – this will take at least 4 hours, preferably overnight. Rye bread contains complex starches that need time to set; cutting too soon will result in a gummy texture. The patience required here is rewarded with proper texture development." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Store Properly", "text": "Once completely cooled, store the bread wrapped in a clean kitchen towel or beeswax wrap. Unlike wheat breads, rye improves over the first 2-3 days as the flavors continue to develop and the crumb stabilizes. This bread will keep for up to a week at room temperature due to its natural acidity, and it freezes exceptionally well for longer storage." } ], "aggregateRating": { "@type": "AggregateRating", "ratingValue": "5", "ratingCount": "178" }, "review": [ { "@type": "Review", "author": "Annika Johansson", "datePublished": "2024-06-05", "reviewBody": "Incredible depth of flavor! This bread reminds me of the dark rye from my childhood in Sweden. The long fermentation is absolutely worth the wait, as it develops such complex flavors you can't get with quicker methods.", "name": "Worth Every Minute of Waiting", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Dmitri Petrov", "datePublished": "2024-06-01", "reviewBody": "This is the best rye bread I've made in my 15 years of baking! The malted barley adds a wonderful sweetness that balances the earthiness of the rye. My Russian grandmother would approve of this authentic loaf.", "name": "Best Rye Recipe Ever", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Mei-Ling Zhang", "datePublished": "2024-05-28", "reviewBody": "I was amazed at how well this bread holds moisture. Even after a week, it was still delicious and not dried out. The detailed instructions made even this advanced recipe approachable for me as a relative beginner to sourdough baking.", "name": "Stays Fresh All Week", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Ibrahim Al-Farsi", "datePublished": "2024-06-08", "reviewBody": "This dark rye pairs perfectly with smoked salmon and cream cheese! The dense texture and complex flavor create the ideal base for savory toppings. I've made it three times now and each loaf has been consistently excellent.", "name": "Perfect Pairing with Smoked Salmon", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Sophie Laurent", "datePublished": "2024-05-25", "reviewBody": "Despite the long fermentation time, this recipe is surprisingly forgiving with timing. I had to extend the cold ferment by an extra 6 hours due to work, and it still turned out amazing. The flavor actually seemed to improve with the additional time!", "name": "Forgiving Recipe with Impressive Results", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } } ] }
{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "What ingredients are used in 36-Hour Fermented Dark Rye with Malted Barley Recipe?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "This artisanal bread requires sourdough starter, dark rye flour, bread flour, malted barley flour, filtered water, salt, and optionally molasses for depth, caraway seeds for flavour, and sunflower oil for texture. The combination creates a complex, deeply flavourful loaf." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How to cook 36-Hour Fermented Dark Rye with Malted Barley Recipe at home?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Learn how to cook 36-Hour Fermented Dark Rye with Malted Barley Recipe by mixing active sourdough starter with flours and water, followed by bulk fermentation at room temperature for 4-6 hours, then cold fermentation for 24-30 hours. Bake in a Dutch oven at 250°C for 20 minutes covered, then 25-30 minutes uncovered at 230°C until deeply browned." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Why is the extended fermentation period essential for dark rye bread?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The 36-hour fermentation develops complex flavours and acidity characteristic of traditional rye breads. This process breaks down complex carbohydrates and phytic acid, improving digestibility, enhancing preservation qualities, and creating the distinctive tangy depth that makes authentic rye so prized." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can I use commercial yeast instead of sourdough starter for rye bread?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "While possible, commercial yeast won't provide the same depth of flavour or preservation qualities. Sourdough cultures contain beneficial bacteria that help break down rye's complex structures, prevent gumminess, and create the perfect pH balance that gives traditional rye its distinctive character." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What's the secret to achieving a moist crumb in dense rye loaves?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The key lies in proper hydration (65-70%), extended fermentation to break down starches, and most importantly, allowing the bread to cool completely—at least 4 hours or overnight—before slicing. Rye contains complex starches that need time to set, cutting too early results in a gummy texture." } } ] }