Basic Sweet Babka

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📖 https://www.ediblecommunities.com/recipes/basic-sweet-babka/ total time: 1 hour 10 minutes

🥘 Ingredients

all-purpose flour
4.5 c
chocolate or cinnamon sugar filling
1.5 c
cinnamon
1/4 tsp
dark chocolate
6 oz
dry active yeast
1 Tbsp
eggs
2
granulated sugar
88.5 tsp
lukewarm water
1/2 c
medium saucepan
melted butter
3/4 c
milk
1/2 c
salt
1 pinch
unsalted butter
3/4 c
unsweetened cocoa powder
1/3 c
vanilla
3 tsp
water
2/3 c

🍳 Cookware

small bowl
stand mixer
greased bowl
damp towel
small saucepan
8.5 x 4.5 inch loaf pans
loaf pan

1

For the dough: Place the dry active yeast and 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar in a small bowl . Add the lukewarm water and stir gently to mix. Set aside until foamy, 5 to ⏱️ 10 minutes . In a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, mix together the all-purpose flour , 1/3 cup granulated sugar , and 2 teaspoons vanilla .

dry active yeast: 1 Tbsp, granulated sugar: 1/2 tsp, lukewarm water: 1/2 c, all-purpose flour: 4.5 c, granulated sugar: 1/3 c, vanilla: 2 tsp
2

In a medium saucepan , scald the milk (bring almost to a boil, until milk is just simmering). Allow to sit for ⏱️ 1 minute to cool just slightly.

medium saucepan, milk: 1/2 c
3

With mixer on low, add the water andyeast mixture, milk, and melted butter . Add the eggs one at a time.

melted butter: 3/4 c, eggs: 2
4

When the dough begins to come together, after 2 to ⏱️ 3 minutes , turn off the mixer and scrape down the sides. Raise the speed to high and mix for another 5 to ⏱️ 10 minutes until the dough is shiny, elastic, and smooth. It may seem like a long time to mix, but the result is worth the wait.
5

Place dough in a greased bowl with a damp towel on top. Allow to rise 1 to ⏱️ 2 hours .
6

Make the sugar syrup while the dough is rising: Combine the water , granulated sugar , and vanilla in a small saucepan . Bring to a low boil until the sugar has dissolved. Set aside and cool. This syrup can be kept in the fridge for 2 to ⏱️ 3 months and makes enough for at least 2 batches of babka (6 medium babkas).

water: 2/3 c, granulated sugar: 1 c, vanilla: 1 tsp
7

Prepare three greased 8.5 x 4.5 inch loaf pans . Note: you can also make two larger round babkas that can be baked on baking sheets.
8

To make the chocolate filling, beat 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) room temperature unsalted butter with 1/2 cup granulated sugar until smooth. Add 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder , 6 ounces melted dark chocolate (you can also use good-quality dark chocolate chips), 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon , and a pinch of salt .

unsalted butter: 3/4 c, granulated sugar: 1/2 c, unsweetened cocoa powder: 1/3 c, dark chocolate: 6 oz, cinnamon: 1/4 tsp, salt: 1 pinch
9

Cut the dough into three equal parts (use a food scale for precision). Roll out one part into a rectangle. Spread one-third of the 1 to 1.5 cups of chocolate or cinnamon sugar filling onto the rectangle and roll up along the shorter side (to create swirls inside).

chocolate or cinnamon sugar filling: 1.5 c
10

Once the dough is formed into a swirled log, cut it straight down the middle so the filling is exposed.
11

Cut 1/2 inch off each end.
12

Layer each cut piece on top of one another and twist. Place in a greased loaf pan .
13

Repeat with the other two pieces of babka dough. Lightly drape a kitchen towel over the top of the pans. Allow to rise another ⏱️ 30 minutes . Preheat oven to 350°F while the dough rises.
14

Bake for ⏱️ 20 minutes . Brush each babka with two layers of sugar syrup. Place back in the oven for approximately ⏱️ 15 minutes . The edges should be slightly brown and the middle should be slightly doughy.
15

When the babkas come out of the oven, immediately brush each with another 3 light layers of sugar syrup. Allow to cool for 5 to ⏱️ 10 minutes . Using a butter knife, loosen the sides of the babka from the pan and place on top of wire rack to cool.