Chocolate Babka

Babka is made of a rich brioche dough that is prepared with a yeast-leavened that is rolled out and spread with a filling such as chocolate, cinnamon, fruit, or cheese, then rolled up and braided before baking. So, it is a kind of sweet, buttery yeast bread. You can serve for breakfast or dessert.

Prep time: 1 hour

Waiting time: overnight

Bake time: 30-35 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

For the Dough;

550 gr flour
150 gr butter
65 gr granulated sugar
240 ml warm milk
1 packet dry yeast
2 large eggs
1,5 tsp salt

For Filling;

100 gr butter
150 gr milk chocolate (chopped)
25 gr cocoa powder
30 gr powder sugar
½ tsp ground cinnamon

INSTRUCTIONS:

Combine the warm milk with the yeast and 1 tbsp sugar then leave for about 5 minutes for the yeast to rise.
In a large mixing bowl, put the flour, remainder of the sugar, salt and eggs.
After the yeast foams add into the bowl then mix.
Put the butter and start to knead until all ingredients incorporated and the dough forms.
Cover the top of the bowl with cling wrap and set aside for rising about an hour.

Cut the dough in half and wrap it again and refrigerate overnight.

For Filling;

In a sauce pan melt the chocolate and then the butter.
Put the other ingredients and stir.
Set aside to cool.
Take half of the dough out from the fridge and roll the dough out on a floured surface and shape the dough into a rectangle.
Spread the filling on the top.
Roll up the dough in a spiral starting from the long side.
Use a sharp knife to slice in half, lengthwise, revealing all the layers of dough and chocolate filling.
Shape the dough into a braid with cross movements with the two halves. Grease a loaf pan that is lined with parchment paper and place the dough into the pan. Let it rise for another half an hour. After it rises egg brush on it.

Take another half of the dough from the fridge. Divide into six pieces and apply the same thing with the other half (Roll each piece out and spread the filling then roll up. Cut in half each, give braid shape). Grease a muffin pan, place the pieces and let it rise for half an hour. After rises egg brush on them.
Preheat oven 190C/375F
Bake for 30-35 minutes.

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