Let me show you how I make a super simple Chocolate Babka. Most recipes are very complicated and require an overnight rest, but I wanted something quicker and easier. I present to you: my EASY chocolate babka recipe! The total time only takes 3 hours (most of this is just resting time), and it tastes just as good.
About This Recipe
Man, I LOVE babkas. They're so soft and fluffy, and the layers of flavoring make them so delicious to eat. I remember during the pandemic lockdown, I made a bunch of babkas because I was craving sweet foods and there was nothing else to do!
The only problem with babka recipes was that they always took a long time to make. Most recipes required at least 8 hours of resting in the fridge. So I set out to develop a recipe that was shorter and tasted just as good. There are two techniques I use to speed up this process:
1) Warm up your ingredients. This is going to speed up the fermentation time since the temperature is the main driver of how fast your yeast is going to work.
2) Put the dough in a warm place. I preheat my oven for 30 seconds, shut if off, then place the dough inside with the light on. The initial preheating helps jumpstart the temperature so it's not cold for too long.
Key Ingredients
For the dough, you will need warm milk, melted butter, 2 eggs, sugar, instant yeast, salt, and all-purpose flour. For the eggs, I usually submerge them in a bowl of hot water for 5 minutes, this will bring them to room temperature quickly.
Nutella: For the chocolate spread, I use Nutella instead of chocolate. I like the flavor better and it's easier to spread. You can use anywhere from 1-2 cups of Nutella depending on how sweet you like it.
Crumble Topping: For this, you'll need cold butter, flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
Egg wash: All you need is one egg and a tablespoon of milk. This is brushed on to allow the crumble topping to stick.
Instructions
STEP 1: In a stand mixer, combine the milk, butter, eggs, sugar, instant yeast, and salt. Mix until combined. The butter may not fully dissolve at this point and that's fine.
STEP 2: Gradually add in the flour and mix for 6-7 minutes until a smooth dough forms.
STEP 3: Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and place it in a warm place for 90 minutes or until doubled in size.
STEP 4: Cut the dough in half and set one aside. Roll the dough into a 9x13 inch rectangle.
STEP 5: Spread Nutella all over except ½ inch around the border.
STEP 6: Roll into a tight log and place seam side down.
STEP 7: Use a dough cutter or knife to cut the dough into half LENGTHWISE. Place one half of the log, cut side down, on top of the other half, making an "X" shape
STEP 8: Twist the pieces together.
STEP 9: Transfer to a greased loaf pan.
STEP 10: Allow the dough to rest for another 30-35 minutes until it's puffy. After resting, brush with egg wash and sprinkle on the crumble topping.
STEP 11: Bake at 350°F for 40-45 minutes until golden brown on top.
Full disclosure, I accidentally cooked mine for 55-60 minutes because I was gaming and I didn't hear my oven's timer.. that's why the border is a bit darker.
📋 Recipe
Easy Chocolate Babka
Ingredients
For the babka
- 1 cup warm milk (about 110°F).
- ½ cup melted butter
- 2 large egg
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 4 ¼ cups all-purpose flour (spooned and levelled)
- 1-2 cups Nutella (depending on how sweet you like it)
For the crumble topping
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup flour
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ cup cold butter
For the egg wash
- 1 large egg (mixed with 1 tablespoon of milk)
Instructions
- In a large bowl or stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment, beat together the warm milk, butter, eggs, sugar, yeast, and salt. Gradually beat in the flour and mix until a smooth dough forms, about 6-7 minutes. If the dough is too sticky, add a bit more flour, but be careful not to add too much.
- Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise for 90 minutes (or until doubled in size). I usually place the dough in my oven with the light on.
- This recipe makes two loaves. Cut the dough in half and set one half aside while you make the first babka. Roll the dough into a 9x13 inch rectangle. Spread 1 cup of Nutella all over, except for ½ inch around the border. Roll up tightly into a log and rest on its seam. Use a sharp knife and cut the log in half LENGTHWISE. Place one half of the log, cut side down, on top of the other half, making an "X" shape. Then, twist the two pieces together.
- Transfer to a greased loaf pan and repeat with the other half of the dough.
- Let shaped dough rest for 30-35 minutes. In the meantime, mix together the brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Use two knives or a pastry cutter to cut in the butter to form the crumble topping.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Brush both loaves with the egg wash and sprinkle with the crumble topping.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes until golden brown on top. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
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