Description
This Chocolate Babka is a rich, sweet yeast bread with layers of decadent chocolate filling twisted throughout. Soft, buttery, and perfect for breakfast or dessert, it’s a show-stopping treat with Eastern European roots.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup warm milk (about 110°F)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 eggs plus 1 yolk
- 10 tablespoons butter, room temperature and cubed
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment, combine warm milk and yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
- Add sugar, flour, salt, eggs, and yolk. Mix on low until the dough starts to come together.
- Add butter, one tablespoon at a time, and continue kneading for 10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours until doubled in size.
- While the dough rises, make the filling: In a saucepan, melt chocolate chips and butter. Remove from heat and stir in powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and vanilla. Let cool.
- Once risen, punch down dough and divide in half. Roll out one half into a rectangle on a floured surface.
- Spread half the chocolate filling over the dough, leaving a border. Roll up tightly from the short end into a log.
- Cut the log lengthwise and twist the two halves together, keeping the cut sides up. Place into a greased 9×5 loaf pan.
- Repeat with second half of dough and filling.
- Cover pans loosely and let rise again for about 45 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Brush loaves with egg wash and bake for 35–40 minutes until golden and baked through.
- Let cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
- You can make the dough a day ahead and refrigerate it overnight before shaping.
- Ensure the chocolate filling is cooled before spreading it on the dough to avoid melting the dough.
- Use a serrated knife for cleaner slices.
- Prep Time: 2 hours
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Eastern European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
