Ester's Danish Rye Bread

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon yeast
• 1/4 cup warm water
• 1 quart buttermilk
• 3 tablespoons molasses
• 3 tablespoons lard
• 3 tablespoons salt
• 6 cups rye flour
• 6 cups whole wheat flour

Directions

1. 1

   Soften yeast in warm water.

2. 2

   Heat buttermilk until lukewarm.

3. 3

   Mix in all ingredients and knead. Let stand overnight, covered.

4. 4

   Punch down in the morning.

5. 5

   Divide into 3 loaves and let rise in 9x5 loaf pans for 10 minutes

6. 6

   Place cooking sheet over pans with a weight on top while baking.

7. 7

   Bake at 400 degrees F for 10 minutes, then at 250 degrees F for 1 hour 45 minutes

8. 8

   Bread should be sliced very thin for serving.