Pumpernickel Bread

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   Special Equipment: KitchenAid(R) Stand Mixer; KitchenAid(R) Sifter + Scale Attachment; 2 standard loaf pans, preferably black baker's steel; bench scraper; instant-read thermometer

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   Attach the KitchenAid(R) Sifter + Scale Attachment to your KitchenAid(R) Stand Mixer fitted with the dough hook. First, weigh half of the rye flour (320 g/11 oz/2 .5 cups) in the ingredient hopper, and then turn the mixer to low speed, open the ingredient valve, and sift it into the mixing bowl. Repeat with the remaining rye flour. Turn the mixer off.

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   Close the ingredient valve and weigh the all-purpose flour, cocoa, salt, sugar, and yeast, taring the scale between ingredients. Turn the mixer to low speed, open the ingredient valve and sift in the in flour mixture. Mix the flours until well combined, about 1 minute.

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   With the mixing running, slowly add the apple cider, water, and molasses.

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   As the flour gets absorbed, turn the mixer to medium-low and knead the dough until it looks stringy and sticky, about 10 minutes.

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   Meanwhile, brush each loaf pan generously with vegetable oil. Set aside.

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   Remove the bowl from the mixer, and turn the dough onto a well-floured work surface. Sprinkle a little flour on top of the dough. Using a bench scraper, divide the dough evenly into two pieces. Using lightly floured hands, shape each portion of dough into an oblong loaf. Fit each loaf into a bread pan. Brush each loaf with olive oil. Scatter 1 teaspoon each of fennel and caraway seeds over each loaf, pressing the seeds ever so lightly in place. Using the tip of a very sharp paring knife, make three diagonal slashes on top of each loaf, cutting to a depth of 1/4-in/0.6 cm. Loosely cover with plastic wrap and set aside to ferment at room temperature until the dough has expanded, 60 to 90 minutes. The dough should rise to just below the top of the pan.

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   While the dough is rising, position an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 400u00b0F/200u00b0C/gas 6.

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   Bake until the loaves thump when tapped with a finger, or an instant-read thermometer registers between 200u00b0F to 205u00b0F/93u00b0C to 96u00b0C when inserted into the center of the loaf, 35 to 40 minutes. Turn the loaves out onto a wire rack and cool thoroughly before slicing. The bread can be made 1 day in advance. Store the loaves at room temperature for up to 5 days in tightly sealed plastic bags. Double-bagged with all the air squeezed out of the bags, the bread can be frozen for up to one month.

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.