Chocolate Babka Recipe

This indulgent chocolate babka recipe will delight your taste buds with its rich and buttery dough swirled with a decadent chocolate filling. It is a classic Eastern European dessert that has gained popularity worldwide. With its soft, tender texture and delightful chocolate swirls, it's the perfect treat to enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea. Follow this recipe to create a show-stopping chocolate babka that will impress your family and friends!

Ingredients

• For the dough:
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• For the chocolate filling:
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• For the streusel topping:
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• For the syrup:
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

Directions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, milk, eggs, and vanilla extract.
3. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until a dough forms.
4. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
5. Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it with a clean kitchen towel. Let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
6. While the dough is rising, prepare the chocolate filling. In a heatproof bowl, melt the chocolate chips and butter together in the microwave or over a saucepan of simmering water. Stir until smooth.
7. Remove the dough from the bowl and transfer it to a lightly floured surface. Roll it out into a large rectangle, about 1/4 inch thick.
8. Spread the melted chocolate filling evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
9. In a small bowl, whisk together the confectioners' sugar, cocoa powder, and ground cinnamon. Sprinkle this mixture over the chocolate filling.
10. Starting from one long side, tightly roll up the dough into a log. Pinch the seam to seal.
11. Using a sharp knife or a bench scraper, cut the log in half length-wise, exposing the filled layers.
12. Twist the two halves together, creating a braided effect. Transfer the babka to a greased loaf pan.
13. In a small bowl, combine the ingredients for the streusel topping using your fingers or a fork. Sprinkle the streusel over the babka.
14. Cover the pan with a clean kitchen towel and let the babka rise for another 30-45 minutes.
15. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
16. Bake the babka for 40-45 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. If the top starts to brown too quickly, loosely cover it with aluminum foil.
17. While the babka is baking, prepare the syrup by combining the water and sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat and set aside.
18. Remove the babka from the oven and immediately brush it with the syrup. Let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
19. Slice and serve the chocolate babka. It can be stored at room temperature for a few days or frozen for longer storage.

Interesting Facts