Copycat Cheesecake Factory Brown Bread

Cheesecake Factory Brown Bread Sliced Loaf

Bring the restaurant favorite to your homestead kitchen with this Copycat Cheesecake Factory Brown Bread. It’s such an easy and delicious recipe! Perfect for beginners or seasoned bakers, this hearty brown bread pairs beautifully with butter or your favorite soup.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Proofing Time: 2 hours + 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Yields: 3 loaves

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
  • 1 ½ cups whole wheat flour
  • 2 tsp cocoa powder
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 ¼ tsp instant yeast
  • 1 ¼ cups warm water (not too hot—think baby bath temperature!)
  • 2 tbsp salted butter, melted
  • ¼ cup honey
  • ¼ cup molasses
  • ¼ cup old-fashioned oats
Cheesecake Factory Brown Bread Ingredients

Instructions for Copycat Cheesecake Factory Brown Bread:

1. Mix Dry Ingredients

Start by combining the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, cocoa powder, sugar, salt, and instant yeast in the bowl of a stand mixer. Stir the dry ingredients together to ensure they are well-distributed.
Helpful hint: If you’re new to baking, instant yeast is a great choice because it doesn’t need to be activated in warm water beforehand. Simply add it to your dry ingredients and you’re good to go.

Dry ingredients for Cheesecake Factory Brown Bread

2. Prepare Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, mix together the warm water, melted butter, honey, and molasses. Stir until everything is well-combined, and the mixture is smooth.
Tip: When measuring honey or molasses, lightly grease your measuring cup with non-stick spray first. This helps the sticky liquids slide out with ease, leaving no mess behind.

3. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Make a well in the center of your dry ingredients. Pour the wet mixture into this well and begin mixing. Attach the dough hook to your stand mixer and mix the ingredients together on low speed until the dough starts to come together into a sticky, cohesive ball.
Alternative method: If you don’t have a stand mixer, you can mix everything by hand. Use a spoon or your hands to stir and bring the dough together. Once combined, you may need to knead the dough on a lightly floured surface.

4. Knead the Copycat Cheesecake Factory Brown Bread Dough

Once the brown bread dough is mostly combined, transfer it to a lightly floured surface. Begin kneading the dough by hand, pushing it away from you and folding it back toward yourself, turning the dough a quarter turn each time. Continue kneading for 5-8 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, but be careful not to add too much—just enough to prevent sticking.
Pro tip: The dough is ready when it feels smooth and slightly tacky to the touch, but not sticky enough to leave residue on your hands.

5. First Rise

Grease a large bowl with about 1 tablespoon of oil. Place the dough into the bowl and roll it around to coat it in oil. This prevents it from drying out during the rising process. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in a warm, draft-free location. Let it rise for about 2 hours, or until the dough has doubled in size.
Hint: If your kitchen is cool, you can place the bowl inside your oven with the oven light on. The gentle warmth will help the dough rise nicely.

6. Shape the Loaves

After the dough has doubled in size, gently punch it down to release any air bubbles. Divide the dough into three equal pieces using a knife or bench scraper. Roll each piece into a 9-inch log, making sure to roll tightly to avoid large air pockets inside the loaves.

7. Prepare The Copycat Cheesecake Factory Brown Bread For Baking

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the shaped dough logs on the prepared sheet, spacing them evenly. Sprinkle rolled oats generously on top of each loaf for a rustic, authentic look. Optionally, use a sharp knife to score the tops of the loaves lightly. This not only gives the bread a nice visual appeal but also allows the loaves to rise evenly in the oven.

8. Second Rise

Cover the loaves with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let them rise for an additional 30 minutes. This step allows the dough to puff up further and ensures the loaves will have a light, airy texture when baked.

9. Bake the Loaves

While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 350°F. Once the loaves have completed their second rise, place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for about 30 minutes. The bread is done when the tops are golden brown, and the loaves sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Tip: If you want a crispier crust, place a small pan of water on the bottom rack of your oven while the bread bakes. The steam will help the crust become crispier and more delicious.

10. Cool the Copycat Cheesecake Factory Brown Bread

Once the loaves are baked to perfection, remove them from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Let the bread rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing to allow the crumb to set and ensure the best texture.
Insider tip: Though it’s tempting to cut into hot bread, giving it a bit of time to cool will result in a much better texture and flavor when you slice it.

Cheesecake Factory Brown Bread

Serving Ideas:

This homemade Copycat Cheesecake Factory Brown Bread is incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in several ways! Serve it warm with butter for a comforting snack or side dish. It’s the perfect accompaniment to hearty soups, stews, or chili, soaking up the flavorful broth and adding texture to each bite. You can also slice it thick for delicious sandwiches or try it with turkey, cheese, and cranberry sauce for a festive twist.

If you’re planning to serve it at a gathering or just want to prepare ahead of time, this bread makes a great addition to any table. Its rich flavor and hearty texture make it a great option for holiday meals or special occasions.

Leftovers: Don’t worry if you have any leftover bread! This recipe for Brown Bread freezes beautifully. Simply wrap the bread tightly in foil, then place it in a freezer bag to store for up to a few months. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, just pop it in the oven to warm it up, and you’ll have fresh-tasting bread at your fingertips.

Enjoy bringing a little bit of Cheesecake Factory magic to your homestead with this delicious, foolproof recipe. Whether served as a side dish, snack, or sandwich, this brown bread is sure to be a hit!

Cheesecake Factory Brown Bread

Copycat Cheesecake Factory Brown Bread

Yield: 3
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Additional Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
  • 1 ½ cups whole wheat flour
  • 2 tsp cocoa powder
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 ¼ tsp instant yeast
  • 1 ¼ cups warm water (not too hot—think baby bath temperature!)
  • 2 tbsp salted butter, melted
  • ¼ cup honey
  • ¼ cup molasses
  • ¼ cup old-fashioned oats

Instructions

To start, combine the warm water and active dry yeast in a large mixing bowl. Stir gently until the yeast dissolves, and let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy.

Next, add the dark molasses, honey, and vegetable oil to the yeast mixture, stirring until well combined.

In another bowl, mix the unsweetened cocoa powder, salt, bread flour, whole wheat flour, and rolled oats. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until a dough begins to form.

Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Alternatively, you can use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment and knead for 5-7 minutes.

Once the dough is kneaded, place it in a lightly greased bowl, turning it to coat with oil. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm, draft-free area for 1-2 hours until it doubles in size.

After the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Divide it into 4 equal portions and shape each into a small loaf or roll, about 6 inches long.

Place the shaped loaves onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or lightly greased. Sprinkle cornmeal on the baking sheet to prevent sticking and add texture to the bottom of the loaves. Cover the loaves with a clean towel or plastic wrap and let them rise for another 30-45 minutes until puffed up.

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) while the loaves are rising.

Once the loaves have finished rising, place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the loaves are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.

Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack. Once cooled, slice and serve the bread warm or at room temperature, enjoying it on its own or with butter.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

Post List #1

How to Grow Your Own Salsa Garden: A Step-by-Step Guide

OKHomesteaderFeb 5, 20256 min read
Tomato plant

Grow fresh ingredients for homemade salsa! Learn how to plant, care for, and harvest a vibrant salsa garden in this…

Instant Pot Raspberry Chipotle Jam Recipe

OKHomesteaderFeb 5, 20259 min read
Instant Pot Raspberry Chipotle Jam Recipe

Quick and easy Instant Pot Raspberry Chipotle Jam recipe – sweet, spicy, and perfect for spreading or gifting. Ready in…

How to Freeze Dry Corn

OKHomesteaderFeb 5, 20254 min read
How to Freeze Dry Corn

Freeze-drying corn preserves its sweet flavor and crunchy texture while extending its shelf life. The process removes moisture by freezing…

Hearty Crockpot Soups: More Cozy Bowls

OKHomesteaderFeb 4, 20258 min read
slow cooker potato soup

Warm up your homestead with these comforting crockpot soups! From rich, savory flavors to nourishing ingredients, each recipe is designed…

How to Make Homemade Salsa Verde (Tomatillo Sauce)

OKHomesteaderJan 30, 20255 min read
TOMATILLO SAUCE

Bring bold, tangy flavors to your table with this easy homemade Salsa Verde! Made with roasted tomatillos, onions, garlic, and…

Slow Cooker Soups to Warm Up Your Week: 7 Delicious Recipes for the Homestead

OKHomesteaderJan 29, 202512 min read
Homestead Slow Cooker Tuscan Tortellini Soup

Warm up your week with these 7 delicious slow cooker soup recipes that bring comfort and flavor to your homestead.…

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *