This Decadent Chocolate Babka is the perfect holiday bread, sure to be a hit at any family gathering. Imagine a sweet, tender, and buttery dough swirled with a rich, velvety chocolate spread enhanced with the warm notes of cinnamon and the deep flavor of coffee. This babka doesn't just fill the room with its irresistible aroma; it fills each bite with a decadent chocolatey goodness that's so satisfying, you'll find no need for additional spreads.
Why You'll Love This: Chocolate lovers, rejoice! This babka brings your favorite flavor to the forefront in a beautifully marbled loaf that's both a feast for the eyes and the palate. The hint of coffee and spices in the filling adds complexity to the chocolate, creating layers of flavor that unfold with each slice. It's a show-stopping dessert bread that's surprisingly simple to make, yet delivers on both taste and texture in a way that store-bought breads can only dream of.
Perfect Occasion: Ideal for holiday celebrations, special brunches, or as a thoughtful homemade gift, this chocolate babka is sure to impress. Serve it at your next family get-together, holiday feast, or bring it along to a potluck to share the joy of homemade bread with friends and loved ones. It's also a wonderful treat to have on hand for cozy winter mornings or as a sweet end to a holiday meal.
Decoration Tips: For an extra festive touch, dust the cooled babka with a light sprinkling of powdered sugar or drizzle with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk. To make it even more special, garnish with a few whole coffee beans or a sprinkle of cinnamon on top before serving. Presentation is key with this stunning loaf, so slice it on a beautiful serving board or plate to show off the intricate chocolate swirls.
Dough Ingredients:
- 2 ½ tsp instant yeast
- 2 tsp sugar + ¼ cup sugar
- ¾ cup warm water
- ¼ cup dry milk powder
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup soft butter
- 1 tsp salt
Filling Ingredients:
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1 cup chocolate chips + extra for sprinkling
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 tsp instant coffee
- 1 tbsp sugar
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- ½ tsp cinnamon powder
- Grated nutmeg
Instructions:
- Grease a bundt pan and preheat the oven to 325°F.
- Dissolve yeast and 2 tsp sugar in warm water. After 5 minutes, whisk in ¼ cup sugar and milk powder.
- Sift flour into the yeast mixture, add eggs, and knead. Incorporate softened butter and knead until smooth. Let rise until doubled.
- For the filling, melt butter and chocolate chips. Stir in sour cream, sugar, coffee, cinnamon, and cocoa until smooth.
- Roll dough on a floured surface, spread filling, sprinkle with nutmeg, and roll up. Cut and twist the log, place in the bundt pan, and let rise again.
- Brush with egg glaze, sprinkle with chocolate chips, and bake for 50 minutes. Cool before slicing.
Indulge in this Decadent Chocolate Babka, a bread that promises to elevate your holiday gatherings and coffee moments into memorable celebrations of flavor. Enjoy with coffee and share the joy of baking with those you love.