The Best Chocolate Babka Recipe

unsalted butter

🥗Healthier: coconut oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Coconut oil provides a dairy-free option with similar moisture.

chocolate

🥗Healthier: dark chocolate

💰Cheaper: chocolate chips

Dark chocolate has less sugar and can enhance flavor.

In a mixing bowl, whisk together 2 and 1/4 cups of bread flour and 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of instant yeast.

Add 1/2 cup of whole milk and 2 large eggs to the flour mixture.

Add 1 tablespoon of grated orange zest and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.

Mix on medium low speed until no dry flour remains, about 2 minutes.

Cover the bowl with a towel and let it rest for 15 minutes.

Add 1/4 cup of granulated sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of table salt, then mix on medium speed for 30 seconds.

Add 6 tablespoons of softened unsalted butter, one piece at a time, mixing on medium high speed for about 3 minutes until fully incorporated.

Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise at room temperature for 1 hour.

Transfer the dough to the refrigerator and chill for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours.

Melt 8 ounces of chopped bittersweet chocolate and 8 tablespoons of unsalted butter in the microwave at 50% power for about 2 minutes until smooth.

Add 1/2 cup of sifted unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/2 cup of sifted confectioners sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the chocolate mixture and mix until combined.

Remove the dough from the refrigerator and dust the counter lightly with flour.

Roll the dough into a 12 by 18 inch rectangle with the short side parallel to you.

Spread the chocolate filling evenly over the dough, leaving about half an inch at the top without filling.

Starting from the chocolate side, roll the dough tightly into a log, pinching the edge to seal it.

Using a greased serrated knife, cut the log in half lengthwise, exposing the chocolate filling.

Twist the two halves together and place in a greased loaf pan.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens