10/14/08

55 "Outback" Black Bread: copycat



I first had this bread at the Outback restaurant. I was stunned when they told me that it was honey whole wheat bread....hmmmm. Then I had this bread at the Cheesecake Factory. I found a copycat recipe and made some changes by taking out the coffee, reducing the honey and sugar. I saw some recipes that had 25 drops of red, blue food color....YUCK!  I did not want that much food coloring in my bread...  Cocoa, instant coffee, molasses or carob powder may be substituted, but it won't be as dark as the bread you see here and may lend a bitter taste to the bread.


The secret to this dark colored bread is caramel color.  You can find it on Amazon:McCormick Food Coloring, Caramel, 16-Ounce or at Orson Gygi, a restaurant supply store in Salt Lake City. Caramel color is NOT a food coloring in the chemical sense; it is simply burnt sugar.  Restaurants use caramel color to tint desserts, candy, cakes, cookies, frosting, darken sauces, gravies, soups, marinades, and brush on meats to add more roasted color.


Where can you find caramel color?
Amazon: McCormick Food Coloring, Caramel, 16-Ounce
King Arthur sells a powdered caramel which is another option, though I haven't tried it.

Outback Bread:  Step-by-step instructions with photos! 




print recipe

Outback/Cheesecake Factory Bread Copycat
Using caramel color and a touch of cocoa powder is the secret to this dark, sweet, whole wheat bread. Caramel color can be found online or at a restaurant supply store. Vital wheat gluten helps create a soft loaf of bread and is optional.
Ingredients
  • 2 1/2 cups water, room temperature
  • 4 Tablespoons butter, margarine or vegetable oil
  • 2 Tablespoons liquid caramel color
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 3 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
  • 3-4 cups all purpose flour
  • 2 Tablespoons unsweetened coco powder
  • 2 Tablespoons active dry yeast
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 Tablespoons vital wheat gluten, optional
Instructions
1. In a stand mixer with a dough hook, combine the first 4 ingredients (water, oil, caramel color, honey) and mix well. 2. Add the wheat flour on top of the wet ingredients. Add cocoa, yeast, salt, and vital wheat gluten. Stir with a spatula, scraping the bottom of the bowl well. 3. Allow mixture to sponge, or site for 10 minutes. 4. Using the dough hook, add all purpose flour, one cup at a time, until dough clings to hook and almost cleans the sides of the mixer, about 5 minutes. Dough should look smooth and elastic. 5. Remove the dough hook, cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and allow dough to rise in a warm place until doubled, about 30 minutes.6. Divide dough into 8 piles, cover with plastic wrap, and allow to rest for 5 minutes.7. Shape each pile of dough into individual loaves, on a lightly greased cookie sheet, or put into lightly greased 2.5"x5" mini loaf pans. 8. Cover with plastic wrap and allow dough to rise in pans until double, about 20 minutes.9. Bake in a preheated 350°F oven, for 20-25 minutes.Recipe makes:8 mini 2.5"x5" loaves = bake 20-25 minutes3 Medium 8"x4" loaves = bake 30-35 minutes2 Large 9"x5" loaves = bake 35-40 minutes
Details
Prep time: Cook time: Total time: Yield: 8 mini loaves/3 Med/2 large


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55 comments:

  1. Frida, you rock! This is exactly the site I was looking for... I'm printing these out and trying some recipies soon!

    Marty
    p.s. I don't post much anymore, but you can catch up on us and my blog by clicking my user name

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  2. I love this bread! I can't wait to try it. Thanks for posting!

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  3. Thank you so much. I'm going to try this!!! Shay

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  4. I am going to try this...it looks wonderful. Can you tell me if substituting 2 TBS of molasses would be all right in place of the caramel color?

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  5. Kimberly, You can definitely sub molasses for the caramel color ~ although you will get a lighter in color loaf and have a molasses taste, depending on the type of molasses that you use. Others have used cocoa, with the same results. The caramel color has no taste, but contributes to a deep, dark color that is indicative of this bread. Give it a try and let me know how it turns out for you!

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  6. I've totally got to try this bread if it's anything like Outback's!

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  7. I'm excited to have found this recipe as my boyfriend loves this bread! Couple questions though....are we supposed to use warm water? I would assume so but the recipe doesn't specify. Also, does this bread really not have to rise at all? Thanks!

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  8. Anonymous, you have a good eye! I've removed the recipe from the post, but have kept the links as they are correct.

    Yes, use warm water (100°-110°) and it will need to rise twice: once in the bowl, and secondly as loaves. Good luck!

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  9. I tried this recipe out and it was a great tasting bread. Thanks for sharing

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  10. Hi. Would bread flour work in place of all purpose plus gluten?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, absolutely! The added gluten to all purpose flour is the equivalent of bread flour.

      Delete
  11. Hi Frieda =-) The recipe says it makes 8 mini but your step-by-step instruction shows you are using a standard (8 1/2) loaf pan... 8 mini = how many standard size loaf pans? and would I change the baking time/temp. if I were to make it in a standard size loaf pan? Thank you Frieda =-) Ako

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Ako! Thanks for the note. I added the times for the standard loaf pans to my full page printable recipe. This recipe makes (3) 8x4 loaves (30-35 minutes) or (2) 9x5 loaves (35-40 minutes).

      Happy Baking!

      Delete
  12. Hi Frieda - I'm the lucky lady who won the digital scale. I made this bread this weekend and used the scale - the bread rocked! I'm so proud of myself for tackling this. I thought it would be too hard but it wasn't. Thanks again for the great scale and recipe!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Woot! Thanks for the comment ~ it really made my week! I'm thrilled that you are enjoying the scale ... and the bread!

      Delete
  13. I've been thinking about going back into baking, this might be worth trying. I wonder who has the carmel color in Phoenix?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You can try a restaurant food supply store or order it online here: http://www.spiceplace.com/mccormick_caramel_color.php

      I'm impressed that you want to get back into backing during the hottest days of the year, especially in Phoenix!

      Happy Baking!

      Delete
  14. AnonymousJuly 07, 2012

    Why does the recipe say to divide it into 8 piles if it only makes 3 mini or 2 standard loaves?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This recipe will make 3 mini loaves on a baking sheet or with mini loaf pans. You can divide the dough into 2 piles to make 2 large (9x5) loaves or into 3 piles to make 3 medium (8x4) loaves.

      The mini loaf version is listed first as it is the size that the outback restaurant makes.

      Delete
  15. Meredith CJuly 09, 2012

    Why use the coloring? Just so that it looks like the bread from Outback? Would it still turn out without it?

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  16. Yes, it is only for the color. Some readers have made this without the color and have told me that it tastes great!

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  17. My husband and I love this bread! Can't wait to try this recipe, looks yummy!

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  18. I live in Phoenix and can't find caramel color anywhere. I can order it but then I have to wait and pay $11 bucks for shipping. Has anyone ever found this in Phoenix?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree that $11 S&H is way too much for a bottle of caramel color! Try Amazon and see if you can come up with at least $25 to qualify for free shipping. Amazon link here: http://tinyurl.com/9gjjllx

      If not, here's calling all my AZ readers ~ anyone found success in finding this at a restaurant supply store? Ashley, I would Google restaurant supply stores in your area and call to find this product.

      Caramel color is not crucial to this recipe; however, we "eat with our eyes" first and the color does make a great impression!

      Delete
  19. the recipe sounds great, but i would definitely skip the caramel color! http://cspinet.org/new/201102161.html supposedly it's made from a byproduct of ammonia & is carcinogenic :( i will def try this out sometime this week & report back!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jasmine, thank you for your comment. I did read the article you linked. On the bottle of McCormick Caramel Color, the ingredients are simply "caramel color and sulfiting agents."

      The article states that there are 4 types of caramel color: two made with ammonia and two NOT made with ammonia. It also states the two that are made with ammonia should be banned; the types commonly used in colas and other dark soft drinks.

      Is McCormick Caramel color made without ammonia? I don't know. The phrase "caramel coloring" can be misleading....does it need to state that it was processed with ammonia? I will definitely write to the company and find some answers!

      When I made this recipe, I researched to find out exactly what "caramel color" is and it is simply burnt sugar. Then I looked to find out what "sulfiting agents" are: potassium or sodium bisulfite or potassium metabisulfite. This is a food preservative commonly used in processing of beer, wine, baked goods, soup mixes, etc. http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/sulfiting+agents

      This recipe can be made without the caramel color and will still have a great flavor.

      Enjoy!

      Delete
    2. Jasmine,
      I just heard back from the McCormick company via email. They do make the caramel coloring using a "sulfite ammonia process" which puts the caramel color in the class 4 of caramel color. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caramel_color).

      The FDA currently classifies this caramel as "generally recognized as safe" which is open to interpretation. It is amazing to see how many store bought products have caramel color in them!

      The article you linked to is dated Feb 2011 and I tried to find more current research on the safety of using this product, but haven't found any. If you know of any current research that is backed up with data, please send them along. Thanks!

      Delete
  20. Will this work in a bread machine? What setting?

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    Replies
    1. Emily, this will work on a wheat bread setting in your bread machine. Depending on the size of your machine you may need to cut this recipe in half or in thirds. The recipe will make 3 one pound loaves or two large 1.5 pound loaves. If you want to have the corn meal crust, use the dough only setting, shape and bake in your oven.

      Enjoy!

      Delete
  21. i cant find the caramel color anywhere but i found caramel food coloring like you color candy with will it do the same

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    Replies
    1. The caramel color that is use is here: http://www.gygi.com/shop/index.php/mccormick-caramel-food-color-pint.html

      If what you have is a coloring instead of a flavoring, it should work...

      Can you tell me where you found it and what brand it is?

      Thanks!

      Delete
  22. its lorraine i found it on amazon i think its just like food color like for candy thanks for getting back to me my boyfreind loves this bread but i dont like outbacks food so just going there for the bread seems pointless

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. :D I agree, it would seem pointless!

      I found the color you have here at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Lorann-Food-Color-Liquid-Caramel/dp/B005WFMNDU

      The recipe calls for 2 T. of caramel color; however I am not sure how concentrated this particular brand of caramel color is. Try it out on a 1/2 batch recipe and let me know how it works for you!

      Happy Baking!

      Delete
    2. (i love that you still comment on the comments even though this is an old post....often i comment and wonder if the author ever even sees it :)

      Delete
    3. :) I see each and every comment in my email before it is posted onto my blog. Thank you and enjoy your holidays!

      Delete
  23. Is the caramel extract the same as caramel color? I have checked 4 stores & that is all I find.

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    Replies
    1. No, it is not the same. Extract is for flavor only. If you want this bread to have the characteristic dark color, you will need to find and purchase caramel color online. You can make this bread without caramel color and it will taste great; however it will not be a dark color. Some recipes use rye flour and molasses to achieve the dark color, but it will not taste like the bread you find at the restaurant.

      Good luck!

      Delete
  24. Can't wait to try this one. I did try one of the other recipes that called for tons of food coloring. Thank you for another option.
    goodtobeathome.blogspot.com

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  25. hello there and thanks to your info – I have certainly picked up something new from proper here.

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  26. wow! FINALLY...every time i find recipes for this type of bread, they are adding coffee or some other flavor altering ingredient that I KNOW cannot really be in the bread at the restaurant's! i can't wait to try this!

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    Replies
    1. Yep, coffee, 20+ drops of food coloring, rye, molasses, etc. The waitress told me that this bread is "Honey Whole Wheat," and that is what this bread is. Enjoy!

      Delete
  27. Hi:
    I can't wait to try this recipe.
    I have the Carmel color from King Auther. I was curious if you use the same amount for Carmel color when usingthe powdered version vs. the liquid version?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello!

      I just checked the King Arthur Flour site and their recommendation is to use 1-2 Tablespoons, but it doesn't specify for how many loaves.

      I looked up on of KAF's recipes and this one (http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/dark-pumpernickel-onion-loaf-recipe) has 1 T. for 3 cups total flour, which is about what I have.

      I would suggest 2 T. for this recipe. Give it a try and let me know how it worked for you!

      Delete
  28. Can't wait to make this bread, it looks wonderful, such a deep colour. Just be looking at the pictures I can imagine smelling the fresh bread. Yummie!

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  29. Hi Frida, I read through all the comments here and didn't find an answer to my question. I apologize for asking such a silly question, I'm clearly a bread newb.

    Is "wheat flour" the same as "whole wheat" flour?

    I have whole wheat flour as well as bread flour (white in color).

    Congratulations on such a popular and successful recipe. I'm hoping to try it out this week.

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    Replies
    1. Bianca, I'm happy to answer any question! Yes, wheat flour is the same as whole wheat flour. Bread flour is all purpose white flour with a higher protein and/or gluten content. You can use both of the flours you listed in your comments with this recipe. Enjoy!

      Delete
  30. Thank you..~
    I just made this bread today..I halved the recipe though....The caramel color does not seem to be available here in QC Canada..so I followed the recipe exactly but added 1 tbsp of molasses. and a tsp of instant espresso granules...and ..I used 1/2 unbleached all purpose flour and 1/2 Robin Hood bread (grain) flour.
    It's delicious..
    Also..I just put everything in the bread machine on the dough cycle..removed..put in my small and medium loaf pans..let rise..and the baked..
    Perfection:)
    Honey butter would be sinful w/ it..:)

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    Replies
    1. Wonderful! Loved your adaptations and thanks for letting my readers know that you can make this in your bread machine. I agree, honey butter would be soooo good with it!

      Delete
  31. PS..I may share your recipe on my blog with reference to you:)
    Hope that's ok!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for asking permission ~ You are welcome to post the original recipe link to my blog.

      Delete
  32. I was reading through the comments expecting someone to suggest making your own caramel color. Here is a link I found: http://www.artisanbreadinfive.com/2008/10/26/pumpernickel-bread-how-to-make-your-own-caramel-coloring
    If you google it you can find some more suggestions for this. Probably best to avoid ingesting carcinogens, especially since they seem so hard for so many people to track down in the first place.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is my understanding that while McCormick's caramel color uses the ammonia sulfite process, and according to Wikipedia,it is not classified as a carcinogenic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caramel_color). I have tried making my own caramel color, using the recipe you provided above, setting the smoke alarm off several times, and cannot get it as dark in color as the McCormick coloring. Several of my readers have made this recipe without the caramel color and have found it enjoyable, although light in color.

      Delete
  33. I have made this recipe so many times, and it never disappoints! I've also made it into rolls, which are to die for. I've taken it to many neighbors and friends and family dinners and it is always a favorite. Thank you for sharing, it is spot on!

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    Replies
    1. You are most welcome! Thanks for taking the time to leave your review. I'm glad your family, friends & neighbors enjoy this recipe!🙂

      Delete
  34. I have made this recipe so many times, and it never disappoints! I've also made it into rolls, which are to die for. I've taken it to many neighbors and friends and family dinners and it is always a favorite. Thank you for sharing, it is spot on!

    ReplyDelete

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