Description
A rich, sweet, and tender braided bread filled with luscious chocolate and swirled to perfection—classic chocolate babka at its best.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the dough:
- 1/2 cup whole milk, warmed
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- For the chocolate filling:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- For the syrup (optional):
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup sugar
Instructions
- Make the dough: In a bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and 1 tbsp of sugar. Let sit until foamy, about 5–10 minutes.
- In a stand mixer, combine yeast mixture, remaining sugar, eggs, flour, and salt. Mix until a dough forms, then add butter in pieces, kneading until smooth and elastic (8–10 minutes). Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1–1.5 hours or until doubled.
- Make the filling: Melt butter and chocolate together in a saucepan or microwave. Stir in powdered sugar and cocoa powder until smooth. Let cool to a spreadable consistency.
- Roll out dough on a floured surface into a 10×14 inch rectangle. Spread chocolate filling evenly over dough.
- Roll the dough tightly from the long side into a log. Slice the log in half lengthwise and twist the two strands together, keeping the filling side facing up.
- Place the twisted dough into a greased 9×5 inch loaf pan. Cover and let rise for 30–45 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until golden and cooked through.
- Make the syrup: While the babka bakes, boil water and sugar until dissolved. Brush syrup over hot babka as it comes out of the oven.
- Let cool before slicing. Enjoy!
Notes
- Babka can be frozen after baking; just reheat gently before serving.
- Try adding chopped nuts or cinnamon to the chocolate filling for a twist.
- The sugar syrup helps keep the babka moist and shiny.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Eastern European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 65mg