Cheesecake Factory Sourdough Bread Recipe
This Cheesecake Factory Sourdough Bread Recipe is a fun homemade bread that brings that soft, dark, slightly sweet bread right into your kitchen. The loaves have a deep brown color and a soft, tender center that makes them perfect for serving warm with butter.
I love how simple the dough is to make. You do not need a sourdough starter or complicated bread-making skills. The dough gets its rich color and flavor from molasses, honey, cocoa powder, and a little instant coffee.
Once the dough has risen, you shape it into four small loaves, add a sprinkle of oats, and bake until the outside is nicely browned. Serve this Cheesecake Factory Sourdough Bread warm with butter for a simple and delicious treat.
What Does This Sourdough Bread Taste Like and What Makes It So Special?
This bread has a mild sweetness with a rich, slightly earthy flavor. The honey, sugar, and molasses add sweetness, while the cocoa and coffee give the bread its deep color and a subtle roasted taste. It is not strongly chocolatey or coffee-flavored.
The inside is soft and tender, while the outside develops a light crust during baking. The oats on top add a little texture and make each loaf look even more inviting.
One of the best things about this Cheesecake Factory Sourdough Bread is how easy it is to enjoy. Slice it while slightly warm and spread it with plain butter, or serve it with maple syrup and butter for an extra sweet finish. It also makes a lovely addition to a family meal.
Cheesecake Factory Sourdough Bread Recipe Ingredients
- 260 g all-purpose flour or 2 cups, loosely packed
- 130 g whole wheat flour or 1 cup, loosely packed
- 25 g sugar or 2 tablespoons
- 42 g honey or 2 tablespoons
- 28 g butter or 2 tablespoons, softened
- 40 g molasses or 2 tablespoons
- 6 g salt or 1 teaspoon
- 7 g yeast or 2 teaspoons
- 7 g cocoa powder or 1 tablespoon
- 2 g instant coffee powder or 1 teaspoon
- 180 ml water or 3/4 cup
- 10 g oats or 1 tablespoon, For topping
Kitchen Utensils
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Stand mixer, optional
- Mixing spoon
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper, if needed
- Kitchen towel or cling film
- Pastry brush or spray bottle
- Wire cooling rack, optional
Preparation and Cooking Time
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- First Rise: 1 hour
- Second Rise: 80–90 minutes
- Bake Time: 25–30 minutes
- Total Time: About 2 hours 55 minutes to 3 hours
- Servings: 4 small loaves
Step-by-Step Cheesecake Factory Sourdough Bread Recipe
Step 1: Mix the Ingredients
Add the water, molasses, honey, sugar, salt, instant coffee powder, cocoa powder, and yeast to a large mixing bowl. Stir everything well until the ingredients are evenly combined.
Step 2: Add the Butter and Flour
Add the softened butter to the bowl. Then add the all-purpose flour and whole wheat flour. Mix until the ingredients come together and form a dough.
Step 3: Knead the Dough
Knead the dough by hand for about 10 minutes. You can also use a stand mixer and knead for 6–8 minutes.
Keep kneading until the dough becomes soft and smooth. It may feel slightly sticky because of the honey and molasses, so do not worry if it is not completely dry.
Step 4: Let the Dough Rise
Cover the bowl and place it somewhere warm. Let the dough rise for about 1 hour, or until it has become noticeably larger.
Step 5: Remove the Air and Divide the Dough
Lightly oil your hands and gently punch down the dough to remove the air. Shape the dough into a smooth ball.
Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces. Keeping the pieces as even as possible will help the loaves bake at about the same rate.
Step 6: Shape the Loaves
Flatten each piece of dough into a rectangle. Roll each rectangle up like a jelly roll, then pinch the seam closed.
Gently roll each piece into a smooth, long loaf. Place the four loaves on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, if needed.
Step 7: Let the Loaves Rise Again
Cover the shaped loaves with cling film. Place them in a warm spot and let them rise again for 80–90 minutes.
This second rise helps the loaves become lighter and softer before they go into the oven.
Step 8: Add the Oats
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Lightly spray or brush the tops of the loaves with water. Sprinkle the oats over the tops and gently press them down so they stick to the dough.
Step 9: Bake the Bread
Place the loaves in the preheated oven and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25–30 minutes.
Bake until the loaves are nicely browned and cooked through.
Step 10: Cool and Serve
Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.
Serve the warm loaves with plain butter, or try them with maple syrup and butter for a sweeter option.
Best Ways to Customize and Serve This Cheesecake Factory Sourdough Bread in Your Meals
1. Warm with Plain Butter
Our favorite way to enjoy this bread is warm from the oven with a generous spread of butter. The butter melts into the soft bread and brings out its slightly sweet, rich flavor.
2. With Maple Syrup and Butter
For a sweeter treat, we love serving a warm slice with butter and a light drizzle of maple syrup. The maple flavor works really well with the molasses and honey in the bread.
3. Alongside a Hearty Soup
This bread is perfect with a warm bowl of soup. We especially like it with creamy soups because the soft bread is great for dipping and soaking up every last bit.
4. With Eggs for Breakfast
We often serve a slice alongside scrambled, fried, or poached eggs. The slight sweetness of the bread makes a nice contrast to savory eggs and turns a simple breakfast into a filling meal.
5. Make a Breakfast Sandwich
Slice the bread and use it to make a hearty breakfast sandwich with eggs, cheese, and your favorite breakfast meat. We love how the soft bread holds everything together without overpowering the filling.
6. Serve with Chili
A bowl of chili and warm homemade bread is one of those combinations that always works. We like using the bread to scoop up the chili or simply serving a warm slice on the side.
7. Pair with Roast Chicken
For dinner, serve this bread alongside roasted chicken and vegetables. The slightly sweet flavor gives a simple chicken dinner a little something extra.
8. Make a Grilled Cheese
We love turning leftover slices into grilled cheese. Add your favorite cheese, butter the outside, and cook until golden and crisp. The sweet notes in the bread pair beautifully with melted, savory cheese.
9. Serve on a Charcuterie Board
Cut the bread into smaller slices and add it to a charcuterie board with cheese, fruit, nuts, and spreads. The rich flavor of the bread gives the board a nice contrast to salty and creamy ingredients.
10. Enjoy It as a Simple Snack
Sometimes the best way to serve this bread is to keep it simple. We like slicing it while slightly warm and adding butter, cream cheese, or a favorite spread for an easy afternoon snack.
Chef Notes for This Cheesecake Factory Sourdough Bread Recipe
1. Use Soft Butter
Let the butter soften before you add it to the dough. Soft butter mixes in more easily and helps give the bread a soft texture.
2. Do Not Add Too Much Flour
The dough may feel a little sticky because of the honey and molasses. This is normal. Try not to add extra flour, as it can make the bread too dry.
3. Knead the Dough Well
Take your time when kneading the dough. Knead by hand for about 10 minutes or use a stand mixer for 6–8 minutes. The dough should feel soft and smooth when ready.
4. Give the Dough Time to Rise
Keep the dough in a warm place during both rises. A cold room can make the dough rise slowly. Wait until the dough looks bigger before moving to the next step.
5. Make the Loaves Even
Try to divide the dough into four equal pieces. This helps the loaves cook at the same rate and gives you four similar-sized pieces of bread.
6. Press the Oats Gently
Brush or spray the tops with a little water before adding the oats. Gently press the oats onto the dough so they stay on top while the bread bakes.
7. Let the Bread Cool a Little
Do not slice the bread right away when it comes out of the oven. Let it cool for a few minutes first. This helps the inside stay soft and makes the bread easier to slice.
Storage and Reheating Guidance
Store leftover Cheesecake Factory Sourdough Bread in an airtight container or tightly wrapped at room temperature for a short period. For longer storage, wrap the cooled loaves well and freeze them. Let frozen bread thaw before serving.
To warm the bread, place it in a low oven for a few minutes until heated through. Avoid overheating, as this can make the soft bread dry.
FAQs About This Cheesecake Factory Sourdough Bread Recipe
If you have questions about this recipe, you’ll find the answers to the most frequently asked ones below.
1. Does this Cheesecake Factory Sourdough Bread Recipe need a sourdough starter?
No, this recipe does not use a sourdough starter. We use regular yeast to help the dough rise. We found this makes the recipe much easier and quicker to prepare while still giving the bread its soft texture, dark color, and slightly sweet flavor.
2. Why is my dough slightly sticky?
A slightly sticky dough is normal with this recipe. The honey and molasses add extra moisture and make the dough feel a little tacky. When we make it, we usually lightly oil our hands rather than adding too much extra flour. This keeps the finished bread soft instead of making it heavy.
3. Can I knead the dough with a stand mixer?
Yes, and we often find it easier that way. Knead the dough with a stand mixer for about 6–8 minutes, or knead it by hand for around 10 minutes. We look for a dough that feels soft and smooth before moving on to the first rise.
4. How do I know when the dough has finished rising?
We usually look for the dough to become noticeably larger and feel lighter. For the first rise, this takes about 1 hour in a warm place. The second rise takes around 80–90 minutes. Since room temperatures vary, we pay more attention to how the dough looks than the exact time.
5. Can I leave out the cocoa powder or coffee powder?
We recommend keeping both ingredients because they help give the Cheesecake Factory Sourdough Bread its characteristic deep color and rich flavor. From our experience, the small amount of coffee does not make the bread taste like coffee, and the cocoa gives a subtle richness rather than a strong chocolate flavor.
6. Why do the oats sometimes fall off the bread?
The oats need something to help them stick to the surface. We lightly spray or brush the shaped loaves with water before adding the oats, then gently press them into the dough. We have found that this simple step helps the oats stay on the bread much better during baking.
7. What is the best way to serve this Cheesecake Factory Sourdough Bread?
We like serving it slightly warm with plain butter because it lets the soft texture and mildly sweet flavor shine. For a sweeter treat, try it with maple syrup and butter. The bread is also delicious on its own, especially when it is freshly baked and still slightly warm.
Cheesecake Factory Sourdough Bread Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Add the water, molasses, honey, sugar, salt, instant coffee, cocoa powder, and yeast to a large bowl. Stir until well combined.
- Add the softened butter, all-purpose flour, and whole wheat flour. Mix until a soft dough forms.
- Knead the dough by hand for about 10 minutes, or in a stand mixer for 6–8 minutes. The dough should be soft and smooth.
- Cover the bowl and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it looks noticeably larger.
- Gently press down the dough to release the air. Divide it into 4 equal pieces.
- Flatten each piece into a rectangle, roll it up, and pinch the seam closed.
- Gently roll each piece into a small loaf and place them on a baking sheet.
- Cover the loaves and let them rise again for 80–90 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly brush or spray the tops with water, then sprinkle the oats over them.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the loaves are nicely browned and cooked through.
- Let the bread cool slightly before serving. Serve warm with butter or your favorite spread.
Video
Notes
This Cheesecake Factory Sourdough Bread Recipe is a simple way to make soft, dark, slightly sweet bread at home. The molasses, honey, cocoa, and coffee give the loaves their rich flavor and color, while the oats add a nice finishing touch. Serve it warm with butter or maple syrup for a comforting homemade treat. Give this Cheesecake Factory Sourdough Bread a try, and enjoy a fresh batch straight from your own oven!
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Thanks Kailey
I find it so easy to made this at home thanks to you.
Welcome