Chocolate Babka Recipe

A classic babka recipe appeared in Craig Claiborne’s 1966 New York Times Menu Cookbook, yielding two medium loaves. Bakers often choose between a Polish Easter cake and an Eastern European yeast loaf.

Ingredients

Dough

• 500 g cake flour or bread flour

• 7 g instant yeast

• 60 g sugar

• 1 tsp salt

• 180 ml warm milk

• 2 large eggs

• 100 g unsalted butter, softened

Chocolate filling

• 120 g dark chocolate, finely chopped

• 80 g unsalted butter

• 50 g icing sugar

• 25 g cocoa powder

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• Pinch of salt

Syrup

• 60 g sugar

• 60 ml water

Method

1. Make the dough: Mix flour, yeast, sugar and salt. Add warm milk and eggs and knead until a dough forms.

2. Add the softened butter gradually, kneading until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 8–10 minutes.

3. Cover and let rise for 1½–2 hours, or until roughly doubled.

4. Make the filling: Melt the chocolate and butter together. Stir in icing sugar, cocoa, vanilla and salt. Cool until spreadable.

5. Roll the dough into a rectangle, approximately 40 × 30 cm. Spread the chocolate filling evenly over it.

6. Roll it tightly from the long side into a log. Cut the log lengthwise down the middle to expose the layers.

7. Twist the two halves together, keeping the cut sides facing upward.

8. Place in a greased 23 × 13 cm loaf tin. Cover and let rise for another 45–60 minutes.

9. Bake at 180°C for about 35–45 minutes, until deeply golden and cooked through.

10. Make the syrup: Simmer sugar and water for 1–2 minutes. Brush generously over the hot babka.

11. Cool for at least 20–30 minutes before slicing.

Also Read

• Ghirardelli Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
• Chocolate Dump Cake

FAQs

What is a babka?

It is a sweet yeast-raised bread or cake that can be filled with chocolate, cinnamon, or fruit.

How long does the dough rise?

The initial rising period usually takes between one and a half to two hours.

What temperature indicates doneness?

Bakers typically look for an internal temperature between 190°F and 195°F in the center.

Can you use different fillings?

Yes, traditional versions use chocolate, cinnamon, or raisins, while Polish holiday versions feature citrus peel and rum.

Does it make multiple loaves?

Many traditional guides yield two medium loaves from a single batch.