Dive into the indulgent world of Chocolate Babka, the perfect dessert to accompany your coffee. This rich, twisted bread is loaded with a scrumptious chocolate filling, offering a visually stunning and deliciously layered treat. With its soft, doughy texture contrasted by the gooey, melted chocolate inside, each slice is a delightful experience for true chocolate lovers.
Why You'll Love This: Chocolate Babka combines the comfort of warm, freshly baked bread with the decadence of chocolate. The recipe features a touch of vanilla and cinnamon in the dough, enhancing the chocolate filling for a subtle yet impactful flavor complexity. This babka is not just a dessert; it's an experience, perfect for savoring slowly with a cup of coffee or tea.
Perfect Occasion: Chocolate Babka is an excellent choice for weekend brunches, coffee gatherings, or as a special treat during family events. It's particularly great for holiday celebrations or when you want to impress guests with something that looks as spectacular as it tastes. This babka can also be a thoughtful homemade gift during the festive season.
Decoration Tips:
- Dust the top of the babka with powdered sugar for a snowy effect that enhances its visual appeal.
- Drizzle a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk over the top for added sweetness and a beautiful finish.
- Serve each slice with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to complement the rich chocolate.
- A sprinkle of finely chopped nuts adds a crunchy texture and nutty flavor that pairs wonderfully with chocolate.
Ingredients: Dough:
- 5g dry yeast
- 146g warm milk
- 35g white sugar
- 3 egg yolks
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- A pinch of cinnamon
- 300g bread flour
- 1 tsp salt (8g)
- 75g room temperature butter
Filling:
- 140g chocolate
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- 50g sugar
- 50g butter, melted
- Chocolate spread as needed
Syrup:
- 50g sugar
- 55g water
- 1 tbsp orange juice
- A few drops of vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Combine the first six dough ingredients in a bowl. Mix well.
- Reserve 30g of flour; add the rest to the bowl with salt. Knead until combined.
- Gradually incorporate butter into the dough, then add the reserved flour, kneading until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for 2 hours until doubled.
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface into a rectangle, spread the chocolate filling, and roll up. If desired, fold like a book, roll again, and add another layer of chocolate spread.
- Cut the roll into two strips, twist into a braid, and form into a crown shape. Let rise covered for 1 hour.
- Brush with an egg mixed with 2 tbsp of milk and bake in a preheated 190°C (374°F) oven for 40-45 minutes. Cover with foil if it browns too quickly.
- After baking, drizzle with the prepared syrup.
Enjoy this sumptuous Chocolate Babka, a decadent treat that pairs perfectly with your favorite coffee or tea!