“Outback” Honey Whole Wheat Bread

People seems to go crazy for this "old-world-like" dark bread at the Outback restaurant chain. It's like a hearty German black bread only, because it's American, it's a lot softer and sweeter. But hey…
I let the bread machine do the dirty work of mixing, resting and rising, then I transfer the dough to two small traditional pans and back them in the oven. A fun party trick is to show up with these already risen but not yet baked and finish them in your host's oven, making their house smell delicious.
Print Recipe
Course Bread

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup water lukewarm
  • 1/2 cup strong coffee I use 2 shots of espresso
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1/2 cup honey 170 grams (much easier)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 2 cups bread flour
  • 2 cups whole wheat flour
  • 2-1/2 tbsp unsweetened dark cocoa powder
  • 1 tbsp yeast
  • 1/4 cup old fashioned oats for decoration

Instructions
 

  • Drop the first 9 ingredients in a bread machine. I find it easier to put the pan on a scale and adding the honey by weight instead of trying to measure it, which is a sticky business.
  • Set the machine on "dough" or "leavened dough".
  • Add the yeast according to your manufacturers directions. If your machine has a yeast compartment, use that. If not, wait until everything is partially mixed, then sprinkle in the yeast for the best results.
  • Go do something else until the dough is ready, about an hour and a half or so.
  • Grease two mini loaf pans. (You could also bake this as a single standard sized loaf, but the smaller ones are more fun and versatile.)
  • Divide the dough carefully into two equal parts. (The scale again shows it's usefulness.) Shape the pieces to evenly fill the pans.
  • With the dough in the pans, sprinkle the top with flakes of oatmeal.
  • Cover the pans with oiled plastic wrap and set them somewhere warm to rise. Probably another hour.
  • Remove the plastic and pop them in a preheated 350 F oven to bake.