Let's be honest. A big reason why you go to The Cheesecake Factory is for the stellar bread basket. And if we're being honest, we'll also admit that the first time we had this awesome brown bread, we were shocked that it was even better than the other loaves — it was the sleeper hit of the bread offering! It's not the one you'd expect to like the most, but there you are, reaching for it first before anyone else can get their hands on it. So, it will be no shock to your friends that you want an entire basket of just the brown bread.
Luckily, it's a much easier recipe than you might imagine — and best of all, this copycat recipe is even better than the original!
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Things You'll Need
1 1/2 cups warm water
2 1/4 tsp. instant dry yeast (1 package)
2 Tbsp. sugar
2 cups bread flour
1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
1 Tbsp. cocoa powder
2 tsp. espresso powder
1 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. butter, softened
1/4 cup honey
2 Tbsp. molasses (not blackstrap)
3 Tbsp. oats
1. Proof the yeast
Heat the water to the temperature specified on the yeast package. Add the yeast and allow it to sit for 5 minutes until it starts to get foamy.
2. Mix the dry ingredients
Add both types of flour as well as the sugar, cocoa powder, espresso powder, and salt to the bowl of a stand mixer.
3. Add the yeast
Add the yeast to the dry ingredients, mixing until most of the dry ingredients have been moistened.
4. Add the wet ingredients
While the mixer is running on low, add the softened butter, honey, and molasses. Mix until well incorporated and the dough gathers around the blade, about 10 minutes.
Tip
Blackstrap molasses is not as sweet as other molasses; it's very bitter and dense and cannot be substituted when baking recipes that only call for "molasses."
5. Rise the dough
Add the dough to a well-oiled bowl. Cover and allow it to rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Tip
It can take up to three hours for the dough to rise. The colder the room, the slower the rise.
6. Divide the dough
Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and cut it into 6 equal-size balls.
7. Form the dough into loafs
Form each ball into a log that is about 2 inches wide and 6 inches long. Add them to a baking sheet. Brush them with water and sprinkle them with oats.
8. Bake the bread
Bake at 350°F for 25 to 30 minutes or until the loaves are cooked through.
Tip
You know the loaves are done when you can tap them and hear a hollow sound. The edges of the loaves should also be darker.
This delicious copycat bread can be stored for about 3 days. You can freeze it for 3 months if the loaf is uncut.
