Outback Copycat Honey Whole Wheat Bread – Recipe for Outback’s steakhouse perfect brown bread. Dark, delicious, wholesome and homemade. The sweetness from honey, crisp crust and soft crumb make a perfect addition to steak dinner.
Today I’m sharing this amazing Outback Copycat Honey Whole Wheat Bread. For those of you who have been to Outback Steakhouse and tried the bread, you know it’s good. Warm, slathered with butter. It’s the thing that holds us over til our steak dinner shows, up right?
And then there are others of us who show up just for the bread and some steak on the side, if you know what I mean.
I’m like that. Give me the bread and I’ll have a few bites of steak to go with it.
I was so pleased when I found this Outback Copycat Honey Whole Wheat Bread recipe online and couldn’t wait to try it. Because with kids you just don’t get to dine out at a steakhouse very often. So now I can have my bread and eat it too!
My 3 favorite types of recipes to make, eat and post: drum roll, please…..
…..
#1: Bread Recipes
I think you all knew that one. I love me some bread. I love me some soft home-baked bread fresh out of the oven. Mmm….
#2. Chocolate Recipes
I think you all knew that one was coming too. I mean a girl can’t survive on bread alone. A girl needs her chocolate too. I’m a chocolate girl through and through. I’m pretty proud of it too.
#3 Sandwiches and pizza
Oh, the combinations. Help me, please. I could go on and on!
I could survive off of the above 3 categories and be totally happy forever. At least I’m pretty sure. I would probably miss fruit a lot but I could survive happily.
This Outback Copycat Honey Whole Wheat Bread recipe doesn’t disappoint. It’s delicious, wholesome and sweet. You can’t beat that. It gets it sweetness from honey which I just adore in bread recipes. So much better than Bread recipe
If you’re a fan of honey and wheat, I think you’ll really enjoy this Honey Whole Wheat bread recipe too.
I think this recipe was really easy to make too. Not a lot of tricks. Just a big ole treat at the end. This with a hunk of butter. Oh yeah babe!
Tastes wonderful when paired with cinnamon honey butter. You can find that here.
I always use Hershey’s Dark cocoa powder. I use it so often that I buy it in bulk here for a great price.
This is the breadmaker I use. I can’t say enough good about. Check out the reviews. If this many people say something is good than it must be good, right? I love it. It takes out a lot of the guesswork for you.
Some bread that I make I knead by hand, others using the stand mixer and others using the bread maker. I love all three methods and see no reason why I should only choose one. So I do them all depending on the type of bread, how much time I have, etc.
If you make this recipe please let us know what you think. Remember I’m not a ‘professional’ baker and this recipe was adapted slightly from a recipe I found online.
Like copycat recipes? This bread sticks recipe reminds me of those delicious ones from that famous Pizza place. And this rosemary bread reminds me of that amazing loaf you get from Romano’s Macaroni Grill.
Til we meet and eat again,
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Tools Used in the Making of this Outback Copycat Whole Wheat Bread:
Honey: Look for a good honey. Here’s one or look at your local grocery store or market.
Dark Cocoa Powder: I almost always buy this online. I find it much more difficult to find it in the store and it works well with this recipe and others.
Bread Pan: My favorite bread pan. I purchased these over 5 years ago and they’re still holding up well.

Outback Copycat Honey Whole Wheat Bread
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups warm water
- 2 tablespoons butter softened ( I use unsalted.)
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 cups bread flour
- 1 2/3 - 2 cups wheat flour
- 2 1/2 tablespoons dark cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons instant granulated coffee
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 Tablespoon yeast
- 1/3 cup old fashioned oats
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a bread machine in the order listed above and use the dough setting. Start with 1 2/3 cup flour. If it seems too sticky add remaining flour a bit at a time until the dough is not sticking to the sides of the bowl. Dough can also be made using a mixer. Just knead dough with dough hook for about 8-10 minutes on low setting. Kneading by hand: about 10-12 minutes.
- Let it rise for about an hour or until about doubled in size. In the bread maker (most dough settings already allow for this.) Or in a lightly greased bowl covered.
- Prepare 2 loaf pans. Grease bottom and sides well or line with parchment. I used 2 8-1/2 by 4-1/2 by 2-3/4-Inch pans. See link below for the pans I use for most of my bread.
- Divide dough into 2 pieces. And shape into loaves. (If you want authentic Outback size, make about 8 tube shaped loaves.) The dough is sticky, so make sure you use a well-floured cookie sheet and plenty of flour on your hands. Place into prepared pans.
- Sprinkle the entire surface of the loaves with oats and then let them rise again until doubled. My dough did not rise above the surface of the pan. Only let rise until doubled.
- Meanwhile preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Bake for 20-24 minutes or until baked through. (I use athermometer to test for doneness. Insert into center of bread. It should register 200 degrees.)
Recipe adapted from Food.com
This post is in no way affiliated with Outback. This post does contain affiliate links.
You may also like:
Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread with Oats

Marbled Rye Bread
Just stumbled across your blog (love honey whole wheat bread, I’ll need to try this recipe). Congrats on 1 year of blogging! I found the first year was definitely the hardest in terms of learning curve and then it gets better (well the challenges become a little different haha). Here’s to more great years!
So sweet! Thanks Louisa. There’s definitely been a lot to learn. I’ll have to stop by over at Living Lou soon!
I had no idea Outback’s Honey Whole Wheat Bread had dark chocolate in it!
Happy Blogiversary Melanie! Looking forward to that Giveaway 😉
I don’t know if it does. It’s just what I used to get a deeper color. Worked out good. 🙂
I am SO addicted to this bread! When we go to the Outback, I have to push the little brown board over to Brian’s side of the table or I’ll fill up on the stuff before my dinner comes!
GREAT recipe, Melanie!
The bread was always the best thing at the Outback for me, and this looks perfect! Happy blog anniversary AND birthday, and you should drag it out as long as possible — that’s the best way. 🙂 Pinning!
Oooh I love Outback’s bread. Can’t wait to try this.
You make the best breads! You totally inspire me to bust out my breadmaker that I’ve never used, poor thing. This bread sounds delicious! I would love it fresh out of the oven smothered in butter. Yum!
Yes, totally bust it out for this one. You won’t regret it.
Happy blog anniversary week!!! Your bread recipes are the best!!! This is another great combination 🙂
Thanks Zainab!
Happy Anniversary week!!! I cannot wait to see what you have prepared!! This bread looks amazing – I simply adore the dark stuff 😀
Thanks. I’m excited too. 🙂
I haven’t been to Outback in forever, but boy do I remember that bread! So good! Can’t wait to try!
Me either but I never forget about that bread. 🙂
This bread looks absolutely delicious! I’ll have to give this a try sometime. Pinned!
Awesome and thanks for pinning Danielle!
I would love to try this recipe. Bread is one of my favorite things to make and this looks excellent!
Mine too. Thanks Mallory!
Melanie, I love this recipe! The bread from Outback is my absolute favorite! I’m so happy to have your recipe to make it now 🙂
And Happy Blogiversary!!! Congratulations on 1 year! So exciting!!
Thanks Serene!
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Happy happy blogiversary, Melanie! That’s so exciting! Great choices for celebration recipes, too …. looking forward to the chocolate one, although this bread sounds wonderful, too. Love the idea of honey bread!
P.S. I agree that you should celebrate all week long!!
Thanks Helen! I’m always up for celebrating. I just usually need an excuse. This time I’ve got one. 🙂
Yum, I love Outback’s bread and I’m so glad you nailed it with this recipe 🙂 It looks excellent! Happy blog anniversary week!!!
Happy Blog-iversary, Melanie! You have created such a lovely space here, you should be so proud! And this recipe here might be my favorite yet! I haven’t been to an Outback in years, but I’d make a trip there just for the bread. I’m so happy you cracked the code! I never would have imagined there was cocoa and coffee involved. Totally pinning this and I can’t wait to try (especially since you said it was relatively easy)!
I love the beautiful dark brown color, it looks so yummy. Never would have guessed about the coffee and cocoa. Can’t wait to try, pinned! Happy Blogiversary, wishing you many more 🙂
Thanks for pinning Sherri and so glad you stopped by! Have a great day!
I love dark bread like this and the touch of honey is just perfect! Pass me a few slices, please!
Thanks Ashley! I have some extra…just for you. 🙂
I love dark hearty bread like this especially for toast! Must make!
This looks delicious, I found you on the wine and glue wake up wednesdays link party. Thanks for sharing and congrats on one year of blogging!
Oh, I love breads too. They are so fun to make, almost theraputic! Can’t wait to try this one- we love Outback’s bread. I’m pinning it to make soon. This week is far to busy to try to squeeze in some fun bread making!
And congratulations on 1 year of blogging! This is my first time stopping by (came from LWSL’s link-up) but I’m anxious to browse around. Looks like a fun place. And I’m impressed with how much you’ve grown your blog in one year. Great job! I know how much hard work goes into that.
Blessings!
Thanks so much Lydia! I’m so glad you found me. Your words are so thoughtful and kind. I do hope you’ll be back!
Have a great day!
I don’t have a bread machine. What kind of adjustments would I need to make to bake this in the oven? I am so looking forward to making this bread, if it can be done in the oven….
Appreciate any help on this one. Thank you in advance.
I’ve updated the directions to be a little more detailed. But this and the original recipe were baked in the oven. The bread maker was only used to mix and rise the dough. Let me know if you need any other questions and I’ll do my best to help!
Thanks so much for stopping by. Good luck with the bread! Come back and let us know what you think.
I always loved Outback’s bread. I’m pinning this to try sometime. Loved the link to buy Hershey’s special dark on amazon. That’s the only cocoa powder I use too and it’s expensive in the stores here (everything is in HI). I never thought about getting it from amazon now it’s on my wishlist for when I get low.
Thanks for stopping by Joybee! Glad I could help. It is fairly expensive here too. When I buy 6 or more items in one delivery for ‘Subscribe and save’I get an extra 20% off so I wait until to purchase it. Let me know if you have any other questions about that.
Thanks for pinning!
I have a bread machine and instead of just using it to mix and rise the Outback Bread, I thought I would let it also go ahead and bake…… in the machine….. have you tried this? Or do you think the recipe is for baking in the oven and making two loaves of bread….? Intrested in your reply…. thanks
I haven’t tried it that way Donna. I typically only use my bread machine for rising. I’m sure the flavor would be the same. But it I really can’t say weather you would have great results. All you could do is try. Good luck with whatever you decide! If you do try it that way come back and let us know your results.
Thanks for stopping by Donna!
Did you cook this in the Breadmaker and did it turn out? Thanks
You are speaking my love language…I adore bread in any form. I especially like Outback’s bread. Thanks so much for sharing this at my Creative Ways Link Party. I hope you’ll be back again this week!
Blessings,
Nici
Thanks for stopping by Nici!
This bread looks SO GOOD! I worked at Outback for awhile several years ago and their bread is the bomb! Can’t wait to try this recipe! Congrats on the blog anniversary, too! xo!
Thanks Jen! I’m sure you could put it to the ultimate taste test then. Let me know if you ever have time to try it! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Happy 1 year blogiversary!! And this bread looks too good! 🙂 perfect way to celebrate!
That bread is seriously addicting Melanie! Can’t wait to give this one a try at home, the pictures are absolutely gorgeous too girl! Love it! 🙂 Pinned!
Thanks for pinning Krista! You’re so sweet.
Quick question.. I am making this this weekend.. do the oats go IN the dough or just on top?
~Anne
Anne, I only use the oats as topping. They are optional of course. Good luck! Thanks for stopping by. Have a great weekend.
Oops… wish I would have read all the comments first. I took the “all ingredients” from step 1 literally. Oh well, I’m still looking forward to seeing how it turns out!
Quick question…
The instant coffee – brewed or crystals? I have a cake recipe that uses liquid, so was wondering…Thanks
Granules, crystals. I’ll update the recipe. Thanks Charlene, good question!
Melanie, I don’t have a bread machine, but would like to use this recipe with my Kitchenaid Mixer. Any suggestions on converting it for use with a dough hook?
Jane, I have directions in step one (immediately following bread machine instructions) for using a stand mixer with the dough hook. Good luck. I hope you enjoy it!
Thanks for stopping by Gather for Bread!
Will this work without the coffee?
I’ve never tired it that way Jennifer. Sorry that I can’t be more help! If you try it and it turns out let us know. Thanks!
I’ve made this bread two times- first with the full amount of chocolate and then next with just 1 1/2 tbsp. The first batch had a very chocolaty flavor for the first few days. It melded with the rest of the flavors on day 3 and 4. It was good, but I wanted to make it without the strong initial flavor. The second batch was better. It retained the lovely color and depth of flavor. The chocolate flavor was much more subtle right after being fully cooled. Both loaves were moist and had a lovely crumb. I mixed the dough in my Ankarsrum mixer and baked the entire batch of dough in my 1 1/2 pound loaf pan. Here’s the link in case anyone is on the hunt for a good pan.
http://amzn.to/2Ela6W7
I baked it until the internal temp was 190-200 in both cases. That’s my go-to temp to make sure bread is fully baked. I’m making this bread to serve to an author I’m hosting in my elementary library in a few weeks. It tastes amazing as a base for a turkey, provolone and cranberry/cream cheese sandwich! My family loved it with a tomato beef stew I found on Pinterest.
Thanks so much for such a tasty bread recipe!
Stephanie, thanks for leaving your valuable feedback. So glad you enjoyed the bread recipe. Come back often! 🙂
I am going to make this bread with a stand mixer, If I put in the list of ingredients in the order you have listed, yeast last, will the water have cooled too much if I go too slow? Just learning!
I love your site and your faith!
Thanks for the kind words Jay. Appreciate that so much.
My bread machine recommends putting the liquids in first, dry ingredients second and yeast in last and placing the yeast in a small well in the flour.
Bread machines have built-in features that allow them to heat to the proper temperatures so it should all wor well. Check your manual for specifications.
Hope it goes well. Happy baking! Let us know how it goes.
Sorry Melanie, maybe not clear, no bread machine just Ktchen aid stand mixer any changes to order of ingredients? Thanks,
Jay Larkin
I just made this again yesterday. Add the ingredients in the order listed. I’ll update the directions accordingly. Thanks, Jay!
Oh. My. GOODNESS! I just tried this recipe today and it was absolutely over the top fantastic, my kids loved it too! It tastes exactly like Outback’s, in fact I think it’s even better!!! Thank you so much, you’ve outdone yourself! Love, love, love your blog and all of your recipes are simply perfection! Thanks for all you do!
I made this today and brought it to Friendsgiving. Everyone loved it! I loved how straightforward it was to make. I didn’t have quite a half a cup of honey so I used maybe 6 tbsp honey and 2 tbsp blackstrap molasses. I also wanted a vegan bread (honey’s ok by me) so I substituted vegan butter for the butter. Couldn’t tell the difference! Didn’t affect rise or baking at all. The flavor was deep and rich. The bread is soft, chewy, and totally addictive. It also looked just like the picture. Beautiful. i’ll keep this recipe around for sure.
I have made this recipe twice and both were s BUST! Way too much cocoa powder. Maybe 1tsp at most. I used double the molasses and 1/2 the coffee and it was still way too bitter. The last time I made it, it was edible but not at all sweet. I’m going to keep trying until I get it right.
I’m sorry it didn’t turn out for you!
I just made this bread and it’s still co6ming but looks amazing! I had to make a few substitutions because I was out of a lot of items. Subbed regular organic flour for bread flour. Graham flour for wheat flour. 1/2oz melted unsweetened chocolate for the cocoa powder. Also added some hemp seeds and sunflower seeds to the buttered pan. I prepared in a bread machine on the dough cycle, with the final rise in 2 glass loaf pans. They rise very well in both the machine and the final rise. They did rise above the tops of the pans. I used a thermometer to make sure they got to 200 degrees. Can’t wait to slice into them…. Perhaps I won’t post this until I do. Just popped the loaves out of the pans and sliced. The loaf is quite soft…. Silly me….I allowed to cool in the pan……. They now cooling on racks. Although soft, it is quite delicious. It’s been a long time since I was at the steak House but remember the bread so well. This does come close…… And it’s quite delicious! Yours is probably even a closer copy, considering all the substitutions I made. Thanks so much for posting this!