Home / Dinner / Rugbrød

Rugbrød

A dark, dense, slightly sour rye bread with a moist crumb — the foundation of Danish lunch for generations.

⏱ 20 minPrep time
🔥 2 hrCook time
🍽 12Servings
🏷 DinnerCategory
☆☆☆☆☆No ratings yet
Rugbrød

Rugbrød is Denmark’s dense, dark sourdough rye bread — moist, hearty and slightly tangy, with cracked rye kernels giving it a wonderful chew. It is the sturdy foundation of the country’s famous smørrebrød.

Real rugbrød takes time: an overnight rise builds its deep flavor, and it must cool completely before slicing. Slather it with butter and top with cheese, herring or cold cuts, and you are eating like a Dane.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Stir together the rye flour, starter, cracked rye, water, salt, syrup and caraway in a large bowl until it forms a thick, sticky batter.
  2. Scrape into a generously buttered 9x5-inch loaf pan, smooth the top, and press in the sunflower seeds, if using.
  3. Cover and let rise at room temperature for 6-12 hours, until the surface is cracked and slightly domed.
  4. Heat the oven to 350°F and bake the loaf for 1 3/4 to 2 hours, until dark and hollow-sounding when tapped.
  5. Cool completely in the pan, then turn out and wrap; wait a day before slicing for the best texture.

💡 Chef tips & storage

This is a wet, dense dough — do not expect it to knead like wheat bread. Slice very thin; a proper rugbrød slice is about half an inch or less.

Rate this recipe

★ ★ ★ ★ ★
☆☆☆☆☆No ratings yet
Sign in to rate this recipe.

Recipe details

Prep20 min
Cook2 hr
Servings12
CategoryDinner
PublishedAugust 17, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →