Chocolate-Swirled Babkas Recipe
Description
🍞✨ I found this gem in ‘Cooking From A-Z,’ a delightful gift that keeps on giving. This Chocolate-Swirled Babka is a sweet bread that pairs wonderfully with coffee or tea. The preparation time includes the rising time, so be prepared for a bit of a wait, but trust me, the results are absolutely worth it! 💖🍫
Recipe Details
| Preparation Time | Cook Time | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
| 2 hours 45 minutes | 35 minutes | 3 hours 20 minutes |
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 2 packages active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 2/3 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons butter, softened
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- 4 1/2 – 5 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 large eggs
For the Filling:
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1 cup walnuts, chopped
For the Streusel Topping:
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
For the Glaze:
- 1 egg white
- 1 teaspoon water
Instructions
-
Activate the Yeast:
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, sprinkle the yeast over the warm water. Add 1 teaspoon of sugar and let it stand until the yeast is soft and bubbly, about 5 minutes.
-
-
Mix the Dough:
- Mix in the remaining sugar, milk, salt, vanilla extract, and softened butter.
- Add 2 1/2 cups of flour to the mixture and blend well. Beat at medium speed until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes.
-
Incorporate the Eggs:
- Separate one of the eggs, reserving the white for the glaze. Beat in the egg yolk and the remaining whole eggs, one at a time.
- Stir in about 1 1/2 cups more flour to make a soft dough.
-
Knead the Dough:
- Turn the dough onto a board coated with some of the remaining 1/2 to 1 cup flour. Knead until the dough is smooth and satiny, and small bubbles form just under the surface, about 10-12 minutes, adding just enough flour to prevent the dough from being too sticky.
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First Rise:
- Turn the dough into a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap and a towel, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
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Prepare the Filling:
- In a small bowl, mix the cocoa powder and sugar until well combined and no lumps remain. Set aside.
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Shape the Dough:
- Place the dough on a floured surface and punch it down. Cover with an inverted bowl and let it rest for 10 minutes.
- Divide the dough in half and roll each half on a floured surface to a 10 x 20-inch rectangle.
- Brush 1 1/2 tablespoons of melted butter over each rectangle, leaving about a 1/2-inch margin on all edges.
- Sprinkle half of the cocoa filling over the buttered surface of each rectangle, then sprinkle each rectangle with 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts.
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Form the Babkas:
- Starting with a 20-inch side, roll each rectangle of dough tightly, jelly-roll style, and pinch the edge to seal.
- Zigzag each roll back and forth to fit into a well-greased 5×9-inch loaf pan.
- Let the loaves rise until almost doubled in bulk, about 35-45 minutes.
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Prepare the Streusel Topping:
- In a medium bowl, beat the butter with cinnamon until fluffy. Gradually beat in the sugar, then mix in the flour until crumbly and uniformly combined.
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Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Apply the Glaze and Topping:
- Beat the reserved egg white with 1 teaspoon of water. Brush the egg white mixture over the loaves.
- Sprinkle each loaf with half of the streusel topping.
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Bake the Babkas:
- Bake until the babkas are well-browned, about 30-35 minutes.
- Carefully remove the loaves from the pans and let them cool on wire racks.
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Enjoy!
- Slice and serve these delightful babkas with a hot cup of coffee or tea. Savor each bite of the sweet, chocolatey goodness! 😋🍞🍫
Enjoy this delectable Chocolate-Swirled Babka, a treat that’s sure to impress your family and friends. Whether it’s for brunch, dessert, or a special occasion, these babkas are a perfect choice. Happy baking! 🥳👩🍳
