Description
This Outback Steakhouse Bread recipe yields soft, slightly sweet, and hearty small loaves with a unique touch of cocoa powder and molasses. Perfect for serving warm with butter or honey butter, these breads combine whole wheat and bread flours for a balanced texture and flavor, mimicking the iconic bread served at the restaurant.
Ingredients
Scale
Liquid Mixture
- 1 ½ cups warm water (105°F to 110°F)
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup honey
- 3 tbsp molasses
Yeast and Oil
- 1 ½ tbsp active dry yeast
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ¼ cup canola oil
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups bread flour (plus more as needed)
- 1 ½ cups whole wheat flour (plus more as needed)
- 3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
For Baking
- 1 to 2 tbsp cornmeal (for dusting the pan)
Instructions
- Prepare Liquid Mixture: In a measuring cup, combine warm water, brown sugar, honey, and molasses, stirring until blended.
- Activate Yeast: Sprinkle the active dry yeast over the liquid mixture and let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Combine Ingredients: Pour the yeast mixture into a stand mixer bowl fitted with a dough hook.
- Add Dry Ingredients and Oil: Add kosher salt, canola oil, bread flour, whole wheat flour, and unsweetened cocoa powder to the bowl.
- Mix Ingredients: Mix on low speed just until all ingredients are incorporated, ensuring even hydration of flours.
- Knead Dough: Increase the mixer speed to medium and knead for 5 to 10 minutes, gradually adding more flour if the dough is too sticky. The dough should become slightly sticky but elastic and bounce back when touched.
- First Rise: Cover the dough with a towel and place it in a warm spot to rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
- Punch Down and Divide: Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 8 equal portions.
- Shape Loaves: Shape each portion into small loaves or rolls as desired.
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Dust a baking sheet with 1 to 2 tablespoons of cornmeal to prevent sticking, then place the shaped loaves on it.
- Second Rise: Cover the loaves and let them rise again for 30 to 45 minutes until doubled in size.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking.
- Bake Bread: Bake the loaves in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until the loaves sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Cool: Remove the loaves from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack.
- Serve: Serve the bread warm with whipped butter or honey butter for the best flavor experience.
Notes
- Ensure water temperature is between 105°F and 110°F to properly activate yeast without killing it.
- If dough is too sticky during kneading, add flour gradually to avoid a dry dough.
- Letting the bread cool on a wire rack prevents sogginess from steam.
- Cocoa powder adds color and subtle flavor without making the bread taste like chocolate.
- You can store leftover bread wrapped tightly at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
