Black Like My Soul Bread

This bread is just like my soul, dark and dense. It’s fairly easy to whip up and the dark color makes it a show stopper.

The inky black color comes from the addition of bamboo charcoal powder, an easy to obtain item available both online and in certain health food stores and Asian markets. Unlike the saltier alternative squid ink, the charcoal powder brings a deep black color to the dough without changing the taste of the final product.

*This post may contain affiliate links.  Read my full disclosure here.

This recipe makes two loaves.

For this bread you will need:

• 5 Cups flour
• 2 1/4 Cups warm (not boiling) water
• 3 Tablespoons black bamboo charcoal powder*
• 1 Tablespoon active dry yeast
• 2 Tablespoons oil
• 1 Tablespoon salt
• 2 Tablespoons sugar

MAKING THE BLACK LIKE MY SOUL BREAD DOUGH

IN A BOWL, MIX YOUR YEAST, charcoal powder, sugar, and water together thoroughly. Allow them to rest for 5-10 minutes. As it activates, the mixture will begin to bubble and foam. Now is the time to say any incantations you might be partial to over your mix. I prefer the always classic “Double double, toil and trouble” but feel free to use whatever works for you.

GRADUALLY ADD IN YOUR SALT, flour, and oil to the foaming mix.

As you mix, the dough will come together into one large lump which should be elastic but not too sticky.

TURN DOUGH OUT onto a lightly floured surface, and knead briefly for about 2-3 minutes or until the dough is smooth and soft.

PAT THE DOUGH INTO A BALL and place into a bowl. Cover with a towel and allow to rest undisturbed for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, turn dough out and knead for another 2-3 minutes. Repeat these two steps a total of 5 times and then return dough to the bowl.

STRETCH CLEAR PLASTIC FOOD WRAP over the bowl of dough and let it sit undisturbed in a warm dark corner for 4 hours to allow the yeast to rise. The dough should double in size.

ONCE THE DOUGH HAS RISEN, divide in half (or keep it in one huge mega-loaf) and place your pieces into well-oiled and floured bread pans.

BAKING THE BLACK LIKE MY SOUL BREAD

PREHEAT YOUR OVEN TO 450˚F/230˚C. Brush the top of the bread lightly with the melted butter and sprinkle on the black poppy seeds and a pinch of coarse salt.

COVER THE BREAD PAN WITH ALUMINUM FOIL, making sure it’s not touching the actual dough itself. Once the oven is at temperature, slide in your bread pans and cook for 25 minutes.

AFTER 25 MINUTES, REMOVE THE FOIL. Allow the uncovered bread to cook for an additional 7-10 minutes.

ONCE YOUR BREAD IS DONE COOKING, remove from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 15 minutes.

ONCE YOUR BREAD HAS COOLED for 15 minutes, run a knife around the edge of your bread and gently turn your pan upside down. The bread should pop right out.

SLICE YOUR BREAD and serve while still warm with butter and jam.

FOR A TRULY AMAZING AND DARK TREAT, toast your bread and enjoy with tomato soup, as a dark grilled cheese…anything your little dark heart desires!

TO MAKE A BAGUETTE STYLE LOAF, follow all the directions above but instead of putting your dough into a loaf pan, roll it out flat into a rectangular shape and to a relatively even thickness of just over 1/2 an inch.

STARTING AT THE LONG END, roll your dough in on itself jelly-roll style.  Pinch the seam closed, using a dab of water to help the dough adhere to itself.

PLACE THE DOUGH, seam side down, onto a parchment lined cookie sheet or baking pan.  Slice diagonal slices across the top of the bread to keep it from splitting while cooking. Brush the top of the bread lightly with the melted butter and sprinkle on the black poppy seeds and a pinch of coarse salt.

COVER YOUR DOUGH WITH AN ALUMINUM FOIL TENT, making sure it’s not touching the actual dough itself. Once the oven is at temperature, slide in your bread pan and cook for 25 minutes.

AFTER 25 MINUTES, REMOVE THE FOIL. Allow the uncovered bread to cook for an additional 7-10 minutes.

YUM!

As we say in hell…Bone appetite.

Looking for more bread recipes?  Why not check out:

Halloween Recipe: Voodoo Bread

Halloween Recipe: Brimstone Bread

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*This post may contain affiliate links.  Read my full disclosure here.

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