Go Back

Chocolate and Cinnamon Babka

Prep Time 4 hours 30 minutes

Ingredients
  

Babka

  • ½ cup warm water
  • ½ oz (2 envelopes active dry yeast 
  • 2 ½ cups, plus 1 tsp sugar, divided
  • 5 cups flour, plus extra for sprinkling
  • 3 cups (6 sticks) margarine, softened, divided
  • 2 large eggs plus 1 white (reserve yolk for glazing) 

Filling

  • ¼ cup chocolate chips
  • ¼ cup cocoa powder
  • ¼ cup cinnamon

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl, gently combine ½ cup of warm water with 1 teaspoon of sugar and the yeast. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes, until the mixture starts to form small bubbles. Add ½ cup sugar, the flour, 2 sticks of the margarine, and the eggs in the bowl. Mix with a dough hook or a wooden spoon until the ingredients are combined.
  • Cover the bowl with plastic and let rise for 2-4 hours. The dough should double in size.
  • While the dough is rising, make the filling. For chocolate filling, in a small bowl combine 1 cup of sugar with the cocoa powder and 2 sticks of margarine. For cinnamon filling, in a small bowl combine 1 cup of sugar with the cinnamon and 2 sticks of margarine. Mix with a mixer or by hand. Keep the filling out and at room temperature. This will make it easy to spread.
  • Once the dough is complete with the rise, preheat the oven to 375. Grease 2 12-inch loaf pans and preheat the oven to 375.
  • Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces. Take 1 piece and set the rest aside. On a well-floured surface, roll the dough into a 10x7 inch rectangle. Spread ¼ of the filling onto the dough. If using chocolate chips, scatter them in the dough. Roll up the dough beginning with the horizontal side of the rectangle. Repeat the steps with the remaining dough.
  • When you have 2 rolls with the same filling, twist them around each other, trying to keep the seam on the bottom. Tuck the ends of the loaf underneath and place it into the prepared pans. Repeat for the remaining loaf.
  • Once in the pan, brush the loaves with the reserved egg yolk and a bit of water. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar/ chocolate chips as desired.
  • Bake the babka for 45-55 minutes, until the top has a golden brown crust. Allow to cool in the pan for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, run a knife around the babka and remove from the pan to fully cool.