Cheesecake Factory’s bread loaves are a popular appetizer choice with many delicious flavors to choose from. But with the large portion sizes at Cheesecake Factory, many wonder just how many calories are in one of their hearty bread loaves. In this comprehensive guide, we will break down the calorie counts for all of Cheesecake Factory’s bread loaves so you can make an informed decision.
An Overview of Cheesecake Factory Bread Loaves
Cheesecake Factory offers several varieties of freshly baked bread loaves that are perfect for sharing. Some of the most popular options include:
- Asiago Cheese Bread – Loaded with Asiago, Parmesan, and Romano cheeses
- Cinnamon Raisin Bread Loaf – Filled with plump raisins and a hint of cinnamon
- Brown Sugar Banana Bread – Banana bread with brown sugar and walnuts
- Blueberry Cream Cheese Bread – Blueberries and cream cheese swirled together
- Tomato Focaccia – Herb focaccia with sun-dried tomatoes and cheese
The bread loaves range in size from about 1 pound to 2 pounds each and are sliced into segments for sharing. The hearty portions mean that each slice can pack in the calories, especially with the generous amounts of cheese, sugar, and butter used in many recipes.
Nutritional Information for Cheesecake Factory Bread Loaves
So how many calories are actually in a Cheesecake Factory bread loaf? Here is the nutritional data for each variety:
| Bread Loaf | Serving Size | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Asiago Cheese Bread | 1 slice (86g) | 260 calories |
| Cinnamon Raisin Bread Loaf | 1 slice (86g) | 290 calories |
| Brown Sugar Banana Bread | 1 slice (86g) | 200 calories |
| Blueberry Cream Cheese Bread | 1 slice (86g) | 260 calories |
| Tomato Focaccia | 1 slice (86g) | 230 calories |
As you can see, calorie counts range from 200-290 calories per slice, depending on the variety. So if you eat a whole half loaf, you could be consuming 500-700+ calories just from the bread alone.
Estimating Total Calories in a Full Loaf
To estimate the total calories in a full Cheesecake Factory bread loaf, we need to know two things:
- The average number of slices per loaf
- The average calories per slice
Based on looking at various Cheesecake Factory bread recipes online, we can estimate:
- Each loaf weighs approx. 1.5-2 pounds
- A typical slice weighs around 86 grams (3 oz)
- So each loaf contains approx. 16-20 slices
The average calories per slice is about 250 calories across the different varieties.
So if we take the middle ground and estimate there are ~18 slices in a loaf, with 250 calories per slice, then a full Cheesecake Factory bread loaf would contain around 4,500 calories.
That’s a lot of calories from just the bread itself, before even considering any spreads or dips you eat with it!
Strategies to Reduce Calories When Eating Bread Loaf
Here are some tips to lighten up your calorie intake if enjoying a Cheesecake Factory bread loaf:
- Ask for a half loaf instead of a full loaf
- Share the loaf with more people so you can limit your portion
- Fill up on lower calorie foods first like salads
- Use drizzles of olive oil instead of thick butter
- Dip bread lightly in sauce instead of spreading
- Go for lower calorie bread options like Tomato Focaccia or Banana Bread
- Split a slice in half and have just a taste
Using strategies like these can help reduce the calories you consume from the bread basket while still letting you enjoy the delicious flavors.
Lowest Calorie Cheesecake Factory Bread Loaf
If you are trying to make the healthiest choice, the lowest calorie Cheesecake Factory bread loaf option is the Brown Sugar Banana Bread.
Here is the nutrition info for Banana Bread:
| Serving Size | Calories |
|---|---|
| 1 slice (86g) | 200 calories |
At just 200 calories per slice, the Banana Bread clocks in a good 50-90 calories less per slice than other Cheesecake Factory breads.
The Banana Bread is made with bananas, brown sugar, and walnuts. Bananas are a good source of potassium and fiber. And nuts add healthy fats.
While it still has sugar, the Banana Bread has less butter and fat than cheese-based breads, making it the lightest loaf option.
So if watching your calorie intake, go for the delicious Banana Bread and ask for easy on the butter to dip it in.
Highest Calorie Cheesecake Factory Bread Loaf
On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Cinnamon Raisin Bread Loaf is the highest calorie Cheesecake Factory bread option.
Here are the nutrition facts for Cinnamon Raisin Bread:
| Serving Size | Calories |
|---|---|
| 1 slice (86g) | 290 calories |
At 290 calories per slice, the Cinnamon Raisin Bread packs in an extra 90 calories compared to the Banana Bread.
What accounts for all those extra calories? Mainly sugar and butter.
The raisin bread is topped with a sweet cinnamon sugar mixture, providing added sugar. And it is typically served warm and slathered with melted butter, driving up the total fat and calorie content.
If you want to indulge in the Cinnamon Raisin Bread, consider asking for light butter and dipping your bread rather than fully spreading. And sharing it with the whole table will help reduce the calorie burden for yourself.
Calories in Cheesecake Factory Garlic Cheese Bread
One of the most popular Cheesecake Factory bread appetizers is the Garlic Cheese Bread. Here are the nutrition facts for this menu item:
| Serving Size | Calories |
|---|---|
| 1 order (550g) | 1,770 calories |
The Garlic Cheese Bread consists of an entire loaf of bread baked with Asiago and other cheeses, plus garlic butter. It’s then served alongside marinara sauce for dipping.
With 1,770 calories per order, this single appetizer contains nearly an entire day’s worth of calories! Clearly this bread basket is meant for sharing by the whole table.
To lighten up the Garlic Cheese Bread, swap out the marinara dipping sauce for something like balsamic vinegar or olive oil with herbs. And spread the butter lightly, as every bit will add extra calories.
Calories in Cheesecake Factory Brown Bread
For a hearty multigrain bread option, Cheesecake Factory also offers Brown Bread baked with whole grains like oats, rye, and bran.
Here is the nutrition information for a slice of Brown Bread:
| Serving Size | Calories |
|---|---|
| 1 slice (86g) | 180 calories |
With only 180 calories per slice, the Brown Bread is one of the lighter Cheesecake Factory loaves.
It gets some sweetness from molasses rather than sugar. And the whole grains provide more fiber than plain white flour.
If you want a filling fiber-rich bread, the nutritious Brown Bread is a great choice.
Calories in Olive Oil With Bread vs Butter
One way to reduce the calorie impact of the bread basket is to dip it in olive oil instead of butter.
Here is a calorie comparison of 2 tablespoons of each:
| Condiment | Calories |
|---|---|
| Butter | 200 calories |
| Olive oil | 120 calories |
Butter contains 100 calories per tablespoon, coming entirely from fat. Meanwhile olive oil has about 45 calories less per tablespoon than butter.
So dipping your bread in just a drizzle of olive oil instead of thick slabs of butter can trim 80+ calories off your slice. Over a whole loaf, that calorie reduction really adds up.
Healthiest Bread Loaf Options
If you are looking for the healthiest Cheesecake Factory bread loafs, here are some good options to consider:
- Banana Bread – Lower in calories and higher in potassium and fiber
- Brown Bread – Made with whole grains like oats, rye, and bran
- Tomato Focaccia – Contains lycopene from the sun-dried tomatoes
- Asiago Cheese Bread – Asiago is a lower-fat cheese
Choosing one of these varieties and pairing it with olive oil or balsamic vinegar will give you the best nutrition bang for your calorie buck.
Portion Control Is Key
No matter which decadent Cheesecake Factory bread loaf you choose, practicing portion control is absolutely key.
Remember, a full loaf can pack a whopping 4,500 calories or more. Even splitting a loaf three ways nets you nearly 1500 calories just from the bread.
To keep your calorie consumption in check:
- Order a half or quarter loaf when available
- Ask for extra share plates so everyone gets just 1-2 slices
- Fill up on lower calorie starters like soup or salad first
- Take leftovers home instead of overindulging
With some moderate portioning, you can balance out the bread basket with lighter menu choices.
Should You Avoid Cheesecake Factory Bread Altogether?
Are Cheesecake Factory bread loaves so high in calories that they are best avoided altogether?
Not necessarily – with mindful eating habits, you can work these indulgent appetizers into your diet in moderation.
The key is limiting your portion to just 1-2 small slices that you truly savor. Share the rest among your whole table.
Pair with lower calorie dressings and dip lightly rather than smothering. And balance out your meal with lighter starters and main courses.
By implementing portion control, you can strategically indulge in these delicious freshly baked loaves without sabotaging your diet.
The Bottom Line
A Cheesecake Factory bread loaf averages about 4,500 calories for a whole loaf. Per slice, calories range from 180-290 depending on variety.
To lighten them up, choose Banana Bread or Brown Bread. Use olive oil instead of butter. And implement portion control to keep calories in check.
While certainly indulgent, enjoying a slice or two of Cheesecake Factory’s famous bread can absolutely be part of a balanced diet. Focus on your portion size, balance your meal, and savor each bite of these decadent appetizers.
