Chocolate Babka

Does the name Chocolate Babka make you wonder what magic lies behind those two words? Well, friends, let me tell ya — this swirly, chocolatey bread is like a gift from the baking gods. Imagine rich, gooey chocolate ribboned through tender bread, just begging to be torn apart and savored with a cup of coffee. It’s become a family tradition around here, and for good reason. Dive into this delightful concoction and discover why your brunches and desserts just won’t be the same without it.

As the unofficial crumb-cleaner of the house, my husband can’t get enough of this Chocolate Babka. When I first baked it, he was skeptical—he’s more of a classic toast-and-jam guy. But after one bite, I caught him sneaking into the kitchen for “just one more slice” more times than I’d care to admit. Now, it’s the kind of recipe that brings us together on a lazy Saturday morning, everyone huddled around, tearing off piece after piece, sharing stories and blissful, chocolately smiles.

Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Babka

This recipe is like a big warm hug — it’s comforting, a bit messy, and unapologetically indulgent. You won’t need a PhD in baking to pull this off, which is great because who’s got the time? I betcha you’ll fall head over heels for it right outta the oven. Plus, Chocolate Babka is pretty much as close as you can get to eating chocolate cake for breakfast without feeling guilty.

How to Make It

Alright, so you want to conquer the Chocolate Babka beast, huh? Let’s dive in, shall we? First, let’s get the dough going—think of it as giving your Babka the best comfy bed to lie in. Mix up some yeast, sugar, and warm milk, and let that sit together until it’s nice and foamy—like the good morning you deserve.

Now get your dance on with butter, sugar, eggs, and flour. This is where it starts looking like something you’d actually want to eat. Knead it until it’s smooth, and then let it rest—just like after a long day. Meanwhile, we’ll sort out our filling—it’s decadent, so maybe refrain from just eating it with a spoon (like I almost did). Spread it lovingly over the dough before rolling and twisting it into a beautiful, messy masterpiece.

After some oven time and a slight cooling phase (if you can possibly wait), slice ‘er open and reveal those heavenly chocolate swirls. Cue happy dancing and irrational joy!

Ingredient Notes

– Flour: The building block of our babka masterpiece. Messed it up once by using pastry flour. Not recommended.
– Yeast: This is what makes the dough rise into fluffy clouds. Don’t skip the proofing; it’ll save heartbreak later.
– Chocolate: I mean, who doesn’t love a chocolate surprise? Go for good quality; it’s what makes or breaks the babka party.

Recipe Steps:

1. Dissolve yeast in warm milk, sprinkle in sugar, and let it sit until foamy.
2. Mix butter, sugar, eggs, and flour to form dough. Knead and let it rise.
3. Make chocolate filling and spread over dough.
4. Roll dough up, slice, and twist to form babka shape.
5. Bake until golden and let it cool slightly before slicing.

What to Serve It With

Tips & Mistakes

– Got extra chocolate? Go for it! Just don’t let it spill out all over the oven — unless you love burnt chocolate smells.
– No stand mixer? No worries. Kneading by hand works those arm muscles and builds character.

Storage Tips

So, you’ve managed to have leftovers. It happens! Wrap this baby up in foil or stash it in an airtight container so it doesn’t become, well, a brick. If you sneak a slice cold in the morning, that’s totally acceptable — and even better with coffee. Breakfast goals = achieved.

Variations and Substitutions

No chocolate chips? Swap with a mix of dark and milk chocolate bars—just smash ‘em up a bit. If push came to shove, I’ve even thrown some Nutella in there. Not too shabby! Once, I got wild and added cinnamon into the mix. It was different, but kind of amazing!

Frequently Asked Questions

Chocolate Babka

This rich and decadent Chocolate Babka features layers of cinnamon-spiced dough filled with luscious chocolate, perfect for breakfast or dessert.

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Prep Time: 45 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 8

Calories: 120kcal

Ingredients

 

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Main Ingredients

• ▢ 3.5 cups all-purpose flour
• ▢ 0.5 cup granulated sugar
• ▢ 0.75 cup unsalted butter softened, divided
• ▢ 2 each large eggs
• ▢ 1 packet active dry yeast about 2 1/4 teaspoons
• ▢ 0.5 cup milk warm
• ▢ 0.25 tsp salt
• ▢ 8 oz dark chocolate chopped
• ▢ 0.25 cup cocoa powder unsweetened
• ▢ 0.25 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

Preparation Steps

• In a small bowl, combine warm milk and yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
• In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, and salt. Add yeast mixture, eggs, and 0.5 cup softened butter. Knead dough until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes.
• Cover dough and let rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours or until doubled.
• Mix chopped dark chocolate, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, and remaining softened butter to create filling.
• Roll out dough into a rectangle. Spread chocolate filling evenly over dough.
• Roll dough tightly and cut lengthwise down the center, twisting the two halves to create the babka shape.
• Place babka in a greased loaf pan and let rise for 30 minutes.
• Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 40 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. Cool before slicing.

Notes

For best results, use high quality dark chocolate and serve babka slightly warm with coffee or tea.