The Delicious Delight of Babka Bread

Hey there! Have you ever heard of babka bread? This amazing treat is a traditional Polish delight that is guaranteed to tickle your taste buds. It’s fluffy, sweet, and absolutely drenched in a heavenly swirl of chocolate. Trust me, once you take a bite, you won’t be able to resist going back for seconds!

Now, let me share with you a super simple recipe for making your very own babka bread. You won’t believe how easy it is!

Ingredients

To make the dough, you’ll need:

• 4 and a half cups of all-purpose flour
• Half a cup of sugar
• 2 and a quarter teaspoons of instant yeast
• 4 large eggs at room temperature
• Half a cup of whole milk at room temperature
• 1 and a half teaspoons of kosher salt
• 140 grams of unsalted butter at room temperature

For the filling, you’ll need:

• 113 grams of cubed unsalted butter
• Half a cup of heavy cream
• 225 grams of chopped dark chocolate
• Three-fourths of a cup of icing sugar
• One-third of a cup of unsweetened cocoa powder

For the syrup:

• One-third cup of granulated sugar
• One-third cup of water

Method

To whip up the dough, all you need to do is toss the flour, sugar, and yeast into a bowl or stand mixer. Next, add the eggs, milk, and salt, and mix it all together on low speed using the dough hook attachment. Give it a couple of minutes until everything is nicely combined and a dough starts to take shape. Now comes the fun part – gradually add the butter, one tablespoon at a time. Give it a moment to get fully incorporated before adding the next spoonful. Keep at it until you’ve added all the butter. Keep on kneading for about 10 minutes, making sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl every now and then. You’ll know the dough is ready when it turns into a smooth and elastic dream. The texture should be sticky and incredibly stretchy. Once you’ve reached that point, transfer your creation to a big oiled bowl and pop it in the fridge to chill overnight.

And now, onto the filling! In a small saucepan, combine the butter and cream. Give it a gentle heat until the butter is all melted and the mixture is steaming. Then, introduce the chocolate into the mix and stir it in until it melts, creating a smooth and velvety concoction.

Once the dough has risen, I like to brush it with melted butter to give it a nice shine. This step is optional, but it adds a little something extra to the finished rolls. If you prefer not to use butter, you can simply skip this step.

To make the filling, you’ll need some cocoa powder and icing sugar. In a bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder and icing sugar until well combined. This is what will give the rolls their rich chocolate flavor.

Next, it’s time to assemble the rolls. Grease two 20cm x 10cm loaf pans and line them with baking paper. On a lightly floured surface, divide the chilled dough in half. Gently roll each half into a 30cm x 40cm rectangle.

Now comes the fun part – spreading the filling! Take half of the filling and spread it evenly onto one of the rectangles, making sure to leave a border along one short side. Repeat with the remaining filling and rectangle. Starting at the short side opposite the border, carefully roll each rectangle into a tight coil. Pinch the seam to seal and place the rolls seam-side down in the prepared pans.

Hey there! Let me walk you through the process of making delicious babkas. First, grab a sharp knife and cut each rectangle in half lengthwise. Make sure to position the halves parallel to each other with the cut sides facing up. Now comes the fun part – twist the halves together, keeping the cut sides facing up, and tuck the ends under. Looking good so far!

Next, it’s time to let the babkas rise. Gently place them in the prepared loaf pans, loosely cover them, and find a warm spot for them to hang out for 1½ to 2 hours. This will help them get nice and fluffy. While they’re rising, go ahead and preheat your oven to 180°C. We’re getting closer!

Once your babkas have had their rising time, it’s time to bake them to golden perfection. Pop them in the preheated oven and let them work their magic for about 40 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when they turn a beautiful golden brown or when a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Mmm, can you smell that heavenly aroma?

While your babkas are baking, let’s make a syrup to brush over them once they’re out of the oven. Grab a small saucepan and combine sugar and water in it. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring until the sugar completely dissolves. Once it reaches a simmer, remove it from the heat. Your syrup is ready!

As soon as your lovely babkas come out of the oven, brush them with the sweet syrup you just made. This will add a touch of moistness and extra flavor. Then, take a deep breath and resist the urge to devour them immediately. Allow the babkas to cool in the pans for about 30 minutes. Trust me, it’ll be worth the wait!

Finally, it’s time to indulge in the warm, scrumptious babkas you’ve worked so hard to make. Cut yourself a slice, savor the fluffy layers and the swirls of delectable filling. Enjoy them while they’re still warm, and feel your taste buds dance with delight. Pure bliss!

If you’re looking for more tasty treats, don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Check out our other delightful recipes for a truly satisfying culinary adventure.