Longhorn Steakhouse Bread Recipe

When you sit down at LongHorn Steakhouse, before your steak even arrives, you’re greeted with something unforgettable: the warm, dark honey wheat bread with whipped butter. For many diners, this complimentary starter is as iconic as the steak itself.

But what if you could enjoy this irresistible bread at home? In this guide, we’ll walk you through the LongHorn Steakhouse bread recipe, its ingredients, step-by-step instructions, nutritional facts, calories, comparisons with other restaurant breads, and pro tips to make yours taste just like the restaurant version.

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What Is LongHorn Bread?

• Type: Honey wheat bread loaf
• Flavor: Slightly sweet, nutty, with molasses undertones
• Texture: Soft inside, chewy crust, perfect with butter
• Calories: ~140–150 per slice (~1,000 per loaf)
• Signature Pairing: Whipped honey butter

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Why LongHorn Bread Stands Out

1. Sweet + Savory Balance – Honey and molasses bring depth.
2. Dark Brown Color – Achieved with cocoa powder and molasses.
3. Steakhouse Tradition – Complimentary bread sets the tone.
4. Warm & Comforting – Always served fresh from the oven.
5. Versatility – Delicious on its own or paired with steak, soups, and salads.

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LongHorn Bread Recipe – Copycat Version

Here’s a restaurant-style recipe that makes 2 loaves, perfect for family dining.

Ingredients

• 1 ¼ cups warm water (110°F)
• ¼ cup honey
• 2 tbsp molasses
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
• 1 ½ cups whole wheat flour
• 2 cups bread flour (or all-purpose flour)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder (unsweetened)
• 2 tbsp brown sugar

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Activate Yeast – In a bowl, combine warm water, honey, and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
2. Mix Wet Ingredients – Add molasses and melted butter.
3. Add Dry Ingredients – Combine flours, salt, cocoa, and brown sugar. Slowly mix into wet ingredients.
4. Knead Dough – Knead 8–10 minutes until smooth.
5. First Rise – Place dough in greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1–2 hours.
6. Shape Loaves – Divide into two logs, place on baking sheet.
7. Second Rise – Let rise again for 30–40 minutes.
8. Bake – Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake for 25–30 minutes.
9. Serve – Brush with butter and serve warm with honey butter.

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Nutrition & Calories

Here’s the estimated nutrition per slice (1/7 of loaf):

Nutrient	Amount per Slice
Calories	140–150
Total Fat	3 g
Carbohydrates	27 g
Sugars	8 g
Protein	4 g
Fiber	2 g

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Homemade vs Restaurant Calories

Bread Type	Calories per Slice	Calories per Loaf
LongHorn Restaurant	140–150	840–1,050
Homemade Copycat	135–145	810–1,020

Very similar—your homemade version can even be a little lighter!

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Pro Tips for the Perfect Copycat

1. Use Bread Flour – It creates fluffier bread.
2. Add Cocoa Powder – Not for flavor, but for color.
3. Don’t Skip the Rise – Two rises = soft texture.
4. Serve Warm – Bread tastes best fresh out of the oven.
5. Pair with Whipped Honey Butter – Essential for the authentic taste.

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How to Make Honey Butter for LongHorn Bread

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp cinnamon (optional)

Whip together until light and fluffy.

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LongHorn Bread vs Other Steakhouse Breads

Restaurant	Bread Type	Calories
LongHorn Steakhouse	Honey Wheat Loaf	140–150 per slice
Outback Steakhouse	Pumpernickel Loaf	130–140 per slice
Texas Roadhouse	Yeast Rolls + Butter	180–200 each
Olive Garden	Breadsticks	140–150 each
Cheesecake Factory	Brown Bread	150–160 per slice

LongHorn is slightly healthier than Texas Roadhouse rolls but indulgent like Olive Garden’s breadsticks.

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Pairings with LongHorn Bread

Food Item	Perfect Beverage Pairing
Flo’s Filet®	Cabernet Sauvignon
Outlaw Ribeye®	Texas Margarita
LongHorn Salmon	Pinot Grigio
Baby Back Ribs	Whiskey Sour
Chocolate Stampede®	Coffee or Port Wine

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Healthier Variations

• Whole Grain Only – Use 100% whole wheat flour.
• Lower Sugar – Reduce honey & molasses by half.
• Dairy-Free – Replace butter with olive oil.
• Mini Loaves – Make smaller portions for calorie control.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Skipping Molasses – It provides depth & color.
2. Overbaking – Makes bread dry and crumbly.
3. Not Kneading Enough – Leads to dense loaves.
4. Too Much Flour – Dough should be slightly sticky, not dry.

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Customer Reactions

• “The bread is the reason I go to LongHorn—it’s that good!”
• “Tried the copycat recipe and it came out amazing, almost identical.”
• “I freeze the loaves and reheat them whenever I want that steakhouse feel.”

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FAQs: LongHorn Steakhouse Bread Recipe

Here are 17 frequently asked questions (with answers):

1. What kind of bread does LongHorn serve?

A dark honey wheat loaf with molasses and cocoa.

2. How many calories per slice?

~140–150 calories.

3. What gives LongHorn bread its dark color?

Molasses and cocoa powder.

4. Can I make it without molasses?

Yes, but it won’t have the same flavor or color.

5. How long does the bread take to bake?

25–30 minutes at 375°F.

6. How many loaves does this recipe make?

Two medium loaves.

7. Can I freeze LongHorn bread?

Yes, up to 2 months wrapped tightly.

8. What butter is served with LongHorn bread?

Whipped honey butter.

9. Is LongHorn bread vegan?

No, it contains butter and possibly dairy.

10. Can I make it gluten-free?

Yes, with gluten-free flour blends, though texture will differ.

11. Is LongHorn bread healthy?

Moderately—it’s higher in fiber than white bread but still calorie-dense.

12. Can I make it in a bread machine?

Yes, use the dough cycle, then bake in the oven.

13. Does it taste like Outback bread?

Similar, but LongHorn’s is slightly sweeter.

14. What is the best topping besides butter?

Cream cheese, jam, or olive oil are great alternatives.

15. Can I make mini rolls instead of loaves?

Yes, just reduce baking time to 12–15 minutes.

16. Does the bread rise a lot?

Yes, it should double in size during the first rise.

17. Why is the bread complimentary at LongHorn?

It’s part of hospitality tradition to welcome guests.

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Final Thoughts

The LongHorn Steakhouse bread recipe brings the taste of the steakhouse straight to your kitchen. With simple ingredients like honey, molasses, wheat flour, and cocoa powder, you can create a loaf that’s warm, sweet, and authentic.

Key Takeaways:

• One slice = ~140 calories.
• Recipe makes 2 loaves with rich, dark color.
• Pair with whipped honey butter for true authenticity.
• Easy to customize with healthier variations.

Whether you enjoy it in the restaurant or bake it at home, LongHorn bread is a comforting classic worth savoring.