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cheesecake factory bread recipe
- Total Time: 210 minutes
- Yield: 1 generous loaf (about 12 slices) 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This recipe recreates the beloved Cheesecake Factory bread, featuring a signature deep brown color and slightly sweet aroma. It is a hearty and homemade solution for family dinners, surprisingly straightforward to make.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.25 cups warm water (40–43 degrees C/105–110 degrees F)
- 2.25 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 0.25 cup granulated sugar, divided
- 2.5 cups bread flour, plus more for dusting
- 1.25 cups dark rye flour
- 0.25 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, natural
- 1.25 teaspoons fine sea salt
- 0.25 cup unsulphured molasses
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus more for oiling bowl
- 1 teaspoon instant coffee powder
- 1 teaspoon finely ground cardamom
- 1 tablespoon orange zest (from 1 large orange)
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted (for glaze)
- 1 tablespoon honey (for glaze)
- 0.5 teaspoon finely grated orange zest (for glaze)
- 0.25 cup slivered almonds, toasted
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, 1 tablespoon (15 g) of sugar, and the active dry yeast. Stir gently and let stand for 5-10 minutes until the mixture looks foamy and bubbly.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the bread flour, dark rye flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, fine sea salt, ground cardamom, and the remaining 3 tablespoons (45 g) of sugar until well combined and uniformly brown.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: To the activated yeast mixture, add the molasses, vegetable oil, instant coffee powder, and the 1 tablespoon of orange zest. Whisk these wet ingredients until fully blended.
- Knead the Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet mixture, mixing with a sturdy wooden spoon or a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook on low speed until a shaggy dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface or increase stand mixer speed to medium-low. Knead for 8-10 minutes until the dough feels smooth, elastic, and pulls away from the bowl’s sides (it will still be slightly tacky).
- First Rise: Lightly oil a clean large bowl with vegetable oil. Place the dough into the bowl, turning once to coat. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel. Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place for 60-90 minutes, or until it has visibly doubled in size.
- Shape Loaf: Gently punch down the risen dough to release air. Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Shape the dough into a tight, oblong loaf. Place the shaped loaf into a lightly greased 23 x 13 cm (9 x 5 inch) loaf pan.
- Second Rise: Cover the loaf pan loosely with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Let the dough rise again in a warm, draft-free place for another 45-60 minutes, or until it has nearly doubled in size and risen visibly above the pan edges.
- Bake and Garnish: While the bread rises for the second time, preheat your oven to 190 degrees C (375 degrees F). Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the crust is dark and firm and an internal thermometer inserted into the center reads between 88-93 degrees C (190-200 degrees F). Remove from the oven and immediately transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. For the glaze: While bread cools, melt 1 tablespoon butter in a small bowl. Whisk in 1 tablespoon honey and 0.5 teaspoon orange zest until smooth. For the garnish: Toast slivered almonds in a dry pan over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring until golden brown and fragrant. Once bread is completely cool, brush generously with the orange-honey glaze, then immediately sprinkle with toasted almonds, pressing gently to adhere.
Notes
If dough is too dry, add water 1 teaspoon at a time during kneading. If dough is too sticky, add flour 1 tablespoon at a time. Ensure fresh active dry yeast and correct water temperature for the best rise. A stand mixer with a dough hook is convenient, but a sturdy mixing bowl and wooden spoon work well.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (60 g)
- Calories: 180 calories
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg