Copycat Cheesecake Factory Brown Bread
Description
Soft, dark, oat-topped brown bread with molasses, cocoa, and coffee — a close copycat of the Cheesecake Factory loaf. Makes three small baguette-style loaves.
Ingredients
- 2 cups bread flour, 240g
- 1¼ cups whole wheat flour, 150g
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon instant coffee granules, or espresso powder
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar
- 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast, 1 packet
- 1¼ cups warm water, 105–110°F
- 2 tablespoons unsulphured molasses
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons cornmeal, for dusting
- 2 tablespoons rolled oats, for topping
Instructions
- Combine warm water, yeast, and honey in a large bowl. Let stand 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- Add molasses, brown sugar, oil, salt, cocoa powder, and instant coffee. Stir to combine, then add both flours and mix until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead 8–10 minutes by hand or 6–8 minutes with a dough hook until smooth and elastic. The dough will be slightly tacky.
- Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise 1 to 1½ hours until doubled.
- Punch down and divide into 3 equal portions. Shape into 8-inch baguette-style loaves.
- Dust a parchment-lined baking sheet with cornmeal and place the loaves on top. Cover and rise 30–45 minutes until puffed.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Brush loaves with water, sprinkle with oats, and score 2–3 shallow diagonal slashes on each.
- Bake 25–30 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 190–200°F.
- Cool on a wire rack at least 20 minutes before slicing.
Equipment
- Baking Pan
- Mixing Bowl
- Whisk
Notes
- Weigh your flour if possible. Too much flour is the most common cause of a dense loaf.
- Loaves freeze well for up to 3 months, wrapped in plastic and foil.
- Instant yeast can be substituted 1:1 and mixed directly with the dry ingredients.
Nutrition
Serving: 1ServingCalories: 127kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 3gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0.4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.5gTrans Fat: 0.01gSodium: 197mgPotassium: 110mgFiber: 2gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 0.01mgCalcium: 14mgIron: 1mg