Cinnamon Babka Recipe Cook's Country from www.cookscountry.com
Introduction to Babka
Babka is a sweet bread that originated in Eastern Europe. It is a twisted bread that is usually filled with chocolate or cinnamon. This bread is perfect for breakfast or as a dessert. Making babka is not difficult, and it is a fun project to do with kids. In this article, we will be sharing a babka recipe that you can easily make at home.
Ingredients
For the dough, you will need:
4 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm milk
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
For the chocolate filling, you will need:
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/4 cup chocolate chips, melted
For the cinnamon filling, you will need:
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp cinnamon
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and yeast. Mix well. In a separate bowl, mix together the warm milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until a dough forms. Add the softened butter and knead the dough for 10 minutes until it is smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
Step 2: Prepare the Filling
For the chocolate filling, mix together the softened butter, sugar, cocoa powder, and melted chocolate chips until well combined. For the cinnamon filling, mix together the softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until well combined.
Step 3: Assemble the Babka
Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into two equal portions. On a floured surface, roll out each portion into a rectangle that is approximately 12 inches by 18 inches. Spread the chocolate or cinnamon filling over each rectangle, leaving a small border around the edges. Roll up each rectangle tightly, starting from the long side. Pinch the edges to seal. Using a sharp knife, cut each roll in half lengthwise to expose the filling. Twist the two halves together, keeping the cut side facing upwards. Pinch the ends together to seal and place the twisted dough in a greased loaf pan. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and let it rise for another 30 minutes.
Step 4: Bake the Babka
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Once the babka has risen, bake it for 40-50 minutes or until it is golden brown. Let it cool for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Nutrition
This babka recipe makes one loaf that serves 8-10 people. Here are the nutrition facts per serving:
Calories: 510
Total Fat: 26g
Saturated Fat: 16g
Cholesterol: 125mg
Sodium: 220mg
Total Carbohydrate: 63g
Dietary Fiber: 2g
Total Sugars: 24g
Protein: 8g
Conclusion
Babka is a delicious sweet bread that is perfect for any occasion. With this recipe, you can easily make babka at home and enjoy it with your family and friends. Whether you prefer chocolate or cinnamon filling, this babka recipe is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.
