Another Swedish Limpa Bread

Ingredients

• 3 1/4-3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 ounce active dry yeast (2 packages)
• 2 teaspoons caraway seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon fennel seed, crushed (optional)
• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 tablespoons molasses
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 2 tablespoons orange peel, finely shredded
• 2 1/2 cups rye flour
• milk (optional)
• caraway seed (optional)

Directions

1. 1

   In a large mixing bowl combine 2-1/2 cups of the all-purpose flour, the.

2. 2

   yeast, the 2 teaspoons caraway seed, and, if desired, fennel seed.

3. 3

   In a saucepan heat and stir the 2 cups milk, the brown sugar, molasses,.

4. 4

   butter, and salt just until warm (120 degree F to 130 degree F). Add the.

5. 5

   milk mixture to dry mixture along with orange peel. Beat with electric mixer.

6. 6

   on low to medium speed for 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly. Beat on.

7. 7

   high speed for 3 minutes. Using a spoon, stir in the rye flour and as much.

8. 8

   of the remaining all-purpose flour as you can.

9. 9

   Turn dough out onto a floured surface. Knead in enough of the remaining.

10. 10

    all-purpose flour to make a moderately stiff dough that is smooth and.

11. 11

    elastic (6 to 8 minutes total). Shape dough into a ball. Place dough in a.

12. 12

    greased bowl, turning once to grease surface. Cover; let rise in a warm.

13. 13

    place until double in size (about 1 hour).

14. 14

    Punch dough down. Divide in half. Cover and let rest 10 minutes. Grease a.

15. 15

    baking sheet. Shape each half of dough into a round loaf. Place on prepared baking sheet. Flatten slightly. Cover and let rise in a warm place until nearly double (about 30 minutes). If desired, brush tops of loaves with a little additional milk and sprinkle lightly with additional caraway seed.

16. 16

    Bake in a 375 degree F oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until lightly browned.

17. 17

    Transfer loaves to wire rack; cool completely.