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4.55 from 322 votes
A cutting board with a loaf of pumpernickel bread.
Steakhouse-Style Pumpernickel Bread Recipe
Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
40 mins
Proof Time
2 hrs
Total Time
3 hrs 5 mins
 

My Outback Steakhouse-inspired, lightly-sweet and perfect with butter, Steakhouse-Style Pumpernickel Bread recipe is one you'll make all the time.

Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Servings: 2 loaves
Author: Gemma Stafford
Ingredients
  • cups (12½ oz/355 g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups (10 oz/282 g) rye flour (or whole wheat)
  • 2 tablespoons unsweeteened cocoa powder
  • 5 teaspoons instant yeast
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • cup (12 fl oz/340 ml) warm water
  • ½ cup (5 oz/142 g) molasses (or treacle)
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Instructions
Make the dough
  1. Grease two 9 x 5-inch (23 x 12½ cm) loaf pans. Set aside.

  2. In a large bowl stir together the all-purpose flour, rye flour, cocoa powder, yeast, sugar and salt.

  3. In a separate bowl mix together the warm water, molasses, and oil.

  4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mix and combine until a dough is formed.

  5. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead until it is smooth and elastic, roughly 8-10 minutes. (You can also knead this with a stand mixer, fitted with a dough hook, on medium-low speed for 5-8 minutes.)

  6. Place the dough in a large, clean, oiled bowl and cover. Let it rest in a warm place until it has doubled in size, roughly 60-90 minutes.

Shape the Dough
  1. Punch down the dough and then divide in half. For each half, pat the dough into a rough triangle that is about 10-inches (25½ cm) wide at the base, 5-inches (12½ cm) wide at the tip and 10-inches (25½ cm) tall.

  2. Roll the dough into a log from the 5-inch end down to the base, pinching the seams. Turn the log so that it is seam side down and tuck the ends under the loaf.

  3. Carefully place into a prepared loaf pan and repeat with the second half of the dough, then cover the pans and place in a warm place until doubled in size, about 45 minutes.

  4. Towards the end of the rise, preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

  5. Bake for about 40 minutes. (The bread is done when it sounds hollow when tapped.)

  6. Let cool completely on a rack before slicing. Store bread at room temperature for up to 3 days. It can also be frozen for up to 8 weeks. Defrost at room temerpature for several hours.

Recipe Notes
  • This recipe makes 2 loaves, and it freezes wonderfully. Slice your second loaf before popping it in the freezer so you can grab as many slices as you want at a time.
  • If you don't have rye flour, the same amount of whole wheat flour works in this recipe as well. Store your whole wheat flour in the fridge to keep it fresh longer.
  • Make your own molasses! Molasses and treacle are the same thing, you can use either. 
  • Make the dough and proof it the day before and bake it off the next day.
  • You can make these into rolls or small loaves too!