Pumpernickel Bread (2024)

Bake a loaf of this bread for toast in the morning and sandwiches all week.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between American and German pumpernickel?

American-style pumpernickel bread is quite different from traditional German pumpernickel, but both types are delicious in their own right. Centuries-old German pumpernickel recipes are sourdough loaves made entirely from rye, typically coarsely ground rye berries. They're incredibly dense and derive their signature dark color from Maillard browning — the result of being baked at a low temperature for many hours. The loaves are baked in covered pans to keep the moisture inside, which prevents a discernible crust from forming.

For American pumpernickel bread, like this recipe, a combination of milled wheat and rye flour is used, as is commercial yeast, producing a springy loaf with a much more open crumb. Pumpernickel bread owes its deep color to the addition of molasses and cocoa powder; it's baked for only a short time in a much hotter oven, uncovered.

What do you eat with pumpernickel bread?

Pumpernickel makes for fantastic toast and sandwiches of all kinds, and it's especially wonderful paired with hearty soups and strong-flavored accompaniments such as sauerkraut, mustard, and sharp cheeses. Don't overthink it, though; pumpernickel bread is perfectly delicious simply toasted and smeared with butter or cream cheese.

Notes from the Food & Wine Test Kitchen

Because it's a fairly moist, lightly sweet bread, pumpernickel has decent staying power. Soft-crusted loaves such as this one can be wrapped in plastic and foil and kept at room temperature for up to three days. Avoid the refrigerator, which will dry the bread out.

Pumpernickel Bread (2024)

FAQs

Is pumpernickel the healthiest bread? ›

Pumpernickel is often considered a bit healthier, more nutrient-dense bread option compared to many rye varieties (since the bran and germ provide some great fiber, protein, and micronutrients).

What makes pumpernickel bread so dark? ›

Centuries-old German pumpernickel recipes are sourdough loaves made entirely from rye, typically coarsely ground rye berries. They're incredibly dense and derive their signature dark color from Maillard browning — the result of being baked at a low temperature for many hours.

What's the difference between rye and pumpernickel bread? ›

Pumpernickel is a type of rye bread known for its dark brown color and sour and sweet flavors, which are generally stronger than in other types of rye. Since it is a rye bread, pumpernickel is considered to be a healthy choice, although it differs slightly in health benefits compared to other types of ryes.

Does pumpernickel bread spike insulin? ›

Many breads are high in carbohydrates which can quickly raise blood sugar levels. But, pumpernickel bread and 100 per cent stone-ground whole wheat breads have low GI scores.GI stands for glycemic index and is a relative ranking of carbohydrate in foods according to how they affect blood glucose levels.

Is pumpernickel high in carbs? ›

In comparison to a slice of white bread that provides 83 calories and 15.5 gm of carbohydrates, a slice of pumpernickel bread provides a total of approx. 65 calories, which is less than those in an apple and about 12.35 grams of carbohydrates with 0.8 gram of heart-healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.

Is pumpernickel bread hard to digest? ›

This name stemmed from the difficult-to-digest nature of pumpernickel, likely related to its dense texture. But don't worry, the digestibility of pumpernickel has likely increased since that time due to the strides made in bread fermentation.

What does pumpernickel mean in German? ›

Chambers Twentieth Century Dictionary gives the etymology as being the German word for a rackety goblin, a coarse lout, and rye-bread - possibly from its giving forth a sound like pump when struck.

What is the white stuff on pumpernickel bread? ›

The fuzzy parts of mold you see on bread are colonies of spores — which is how the fungus reproduces. Spores can travel through the air inside the package and grow on other parts of the bread (1). They're what gives mold its color — white, yellow, green, gray, or black, depending on the type of fungus.

What do you eat with pumpernickel bread? ›

Pumpernickel recipes (29)
  1. Cheesy Spinach Dip in a Pumpernickel Bread Bowl. ...
  2. Braunschweiger on Buttered Pumpernickel Rye. ...
  3. Toasted Swiss on Pumpernickel and Rye. ...
  4. Mac and Cheese on Pumpernickel. ...
  5. Sloppy Joe and Potatoes on Pumpernickel. ...
  6. Ham and Eggs on Rye Pumpernickel Bread. ...
  7. Chopped Ham on Pumpernickel.

Is pumpernickel bread good for constipation? ›

Research has shown that eating wholegrain rye bread relieves constipation and also decreases appetite.

What gives pumpernickel its flavor? ›

Classic German pumpernickel is made with a sourdough starter, giving it a slight tang, while American recipes favor commercial yeast and a higher sugar content for a softer, springier loaf with a slightly sweet finish.

What are the 5 worst foods for blood sugar? ›

You limit dairy products, red meat, sweets, added sugars, sodium (salt), and highly processed foods. Some additional guidelines include focusing on seasonal produce and reading food labels to help you avoid added sodium and sugar.

Does toasting bread make it better for diabetics? ›

Is toasted bread healthy for diabetics? Is toast better than bread for diabetics? Toast has been shown to have a lower glycemic index than bread that is untoasted. Although the difference isn't huge, toast has fewer carbohydrates than bread due to the chemical reaction that occurs.

Is Pepperidge Farm pumpernickel bread good for diabetics? ›

It is one of the healthier bread made from sourdough starters and coarsely ground rye. In addition, the fermented rye and lower GI value make pumpernickel bread ideal for diabetes. A study also notes that pumpernickel bread can be a valuable part of the diet for reducing postprandial glycemia.

Is pumpernickel healthier than plain bagel? ›

Pumpernickel has no crust, and is dense and hearty. It's a healthy choice, too—rye flour packs less carbs than wheat, and supplies a good amount of fiber, vitamins, and minerals as well. It goes well with ingredients that benefit from an extra element of nuttiness.

Does pumpernickel bread have a lot of sugar? ›

For example, according to USDA data, one regular slice of white bread provides about 75 calories and 1.6 grams of sugar but less than one gram of fiber (0.76g). 9 On the other hand, pumpernickel provides 80 calories but over 2 grams of fiber and only 0.2 grams of sugar.

Is pumpernickel bread bad for cholesterol? ›

Pumpernickel is also cholesterol free and low in fat , with one slice containing a diet-friendly 70 calories — less than the amount found in an apple. The small amount of fat found in a slice of pumpernickel is composed mostly of heart-healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids.

What are the lowest carb breads? ›

6 Low-Carb Breads to Try
  • Base Culture Original Keto Bread. Flaxseed, arrowroot and almond flour, and almond butter give this bread its nutty, sweet flavor. ...
  • Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Whole Grain Bread. ...
  • Julian Bakery Keto Thin Bread. ...
  • Simple Mills Focaccia. ...
  • Unbun Unbread. ...
  • Outer Aisle Sandwich Thin. ...
  • Cloud Bread. ...
  • Almond Flour Bread.
Nov 3, 2022

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