Babka

Honestly, I didn't think Babka looked very yum in photos. I just wanted to make it because of Seinfeld. But, now that I've had it all the photos make me drool. The bread is so squishy and buttery, and the chocolate is so thick and soft and has a good bite to it. You just wanna keep putting it in your mouth. Come on, let's make Babka together...

first up: heat 1 cup whole milk to a boil

once it reaches a boil, take it off the heat.

while the milk is hot whisk in 1/3 cup of sugar

touch the milk with your finger, if it’s still really hot then let’s add a tablespoon or two of butter—— if it’s just warm, skip to the yeast.

slice up a stick of room temperature, we’ll use the whole thing eventually, but for now, just add 1 tbsp at a time until the milk is only warm.

now add 1 package of yeast (2 1/4 tsp)

whisk it in and let it sit until it gets foamy, about 10 minutes.

pour the milk mixture into a mixer bowl.
[the photos were a struggle from this point on cause it was storming and so gloomy outside, but literally every time I've made babka something made the lighting terrible so I never took photos. So, I just decided to go with it this time]

add 4 cups of flour

and two eggs

knead it with a dough hook until it comes together (if you're doing this without a dough hook, use a really firm silicone spatula)

knead in the butter 1 tbsp at a time, until it’s all incorporated. Then keep it kneading for 10 minutes (this part you can do by hand if you like). Really, set a timer. Let it slap around in the bowl.

perfect. Ugh I love this dough so much. It’s so soft and squishy.

cover it with plastic and let it rise for an hour in a warm place

until it’s doubled

I could cry looking at this dough, I love it so much.

for the filling- 10oz bittersweet chocolate

place the chocolate chips in a bowl with 2 tbsps butter. Microwave for 30 seconds at a time until melted.

stir until smooth

stir in 1/3 cup sugar

and lastly 1 tsp cinnamon

put your dough on a floured surface

press the dough flat

fold the right side to the center

and the left

and the top

now the bottom

press it down

roll into a very large rectangle
​

spread your filling over the dough

roll it up using the long edge. It’s okay to get messy, just make sure you roll tightly! It helps to kind of tuck it under as you roll.

stretch it longer if you need to. You want it to be about three bread tin lengths.

fold it in half and twist it as many times as you can! It helps to twist each half as you fold it over too.
​(See, messes are okay)

stick it tightly in a loaf tin. Cover with plastic and let it rise for another hour.

check out the rise 😛😛😛

Bake at 350 for 45 minutes

Cool for 15-20 minutes in the loaf pan and then completely cool outside the pan.

If you make this recipe, take a photo and and tag me @martinezmade_ or use the hashtag #martinezmade! Leave a comment and let me know what you think!