Gather rye flour, bread flour, warm water, yeast, salt, and optional molasses or caraway seeds
Mix warm water, yeast, and optional molasses in a bowl
Let the mixture sit until foamy
Add rye flour, bread flour, and salt
Mix until a shaggy dough forms
Knead the dough until smooth and elastic
Add caraway seeds if desired
Place the dough in a greased bowl
Cover and let it rise until doubled in size
Punch down the dough
Shape the dough into a loaf
Place the loaf in a greased loaf pan or on a baking sheet
Cover and let it rise again until puffy
Preheat the oven
Score the top of the loaf if desired
Bake until the crust is browned and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped
Remove from the oven
Cool completely before slicing