WHAT IS BABKA AND HOW TO MAKE IT: RECIPES AND TIPS

Looking for a new and interesting baking adventure? Dive into the world of babka, a visually impressive bread that will test your baking prowess. With a base comparable to a brioche, babka's soft, lush dough intermingled with various fillings, and finished with streusel or simple syrup presents a wonderful experiment once you've mastered the fundamental recipe. Continue reading to explore the history of babka and its traditional methods.

EXPLORING BABKA: WHAT IS IT?

A baker extracts kneaded dough from a mixing bowl that was combined using a KitchenAid Stand Mixer dough hook. A baker extracts kneaded dough from a mixing bowl that was combined using a KitchenAid Stand Mixer dough hook.

Babka is crafted from sweetened enriched dough, meaning it's a yeast-based dough enhanced with nutritious components such as milk, eggs, and fat. The KitchenAid® Stand Mixer's dough hook can help in developing a smooth, elastic dough for your babka base. The dough is infused with a variety of sweet fillings, with the most traditional flavours being chocolate and cinnamon. The babka’s distinct braid lends it an impressive visual appeal, made even more stunning with a shiny, reflective glaze of simple syrup.

PRO TIP

Most contemporary babka recipes use butter for a rich texture, but traditional Jewish recipes favoured oil for a pareve (neither dairy nor meat) recipe, resulting in a slightly less moist crumb.

THE STORY BEHIND THE NAME BABKA

Babka's roots are traced back to Eastern Europe, specifically Poland and Ukraine. As a hallmark Jewish baked good, numerous variations of the traditional babka recipe mirror a diverse mix of cultural, regional, and religious influences. The term "babka" derives from "babcia," translating to grandmother in Polish.

OUR GO-TO BABKA RECIPE

A close-up image displays essential baking ingredients showcasing a measuring cup of water alongside dishes of flour and dry yeast. A close-up image displays essential baking ingredients showcasing a measuring cup of water alongside dishes of flour and dry yeast.
YIELDS

2 9-inch (23 cm) loaves

INGREDIENTS

  • All-purpose flour 

  • Active dry yeast 

  • Granulated sugar

  • Salt

  • Whole milk

  • Eggs

  • Unsalted butter, softened

  • Vanilla (omit if making savory babka)

  • Almond extract (omit if making savory babka)

  • Fillings, like cinnamon sugar or chocolate spread, or savory options like goat cheese and herbs

  • Simple syrup or olive oil

TOOLS

PREP TIME

  • About 2 hours, plus rise time (between 6-24 hours)

BAKE TIME

  • 1 hour

TOTAL TIME

  • 3 hours, plus rise time (between 6-24 hours)

STEP 1: DOUGH PREPARATION

Using a KitchenAid Stand Mixer fitted with a Dough Hook, the dough is elevated from a metal mixing bowl. Using a KitchenAid Stand Mixer fitted with a Dough Hook, the dough is elevated from a metal mixing bowl.

After activating your yeast, combine it with dry ingredients, eggs, and milk in your mixing bowl. Using the dough hook, start mixing on low, then increase to medium as the mixture forms a sticky dough. Continue mixing until the dough detaches from the bowl's sides, appearing glossy and stretchy.

STEP 2: FIRST RISE

A large metal mixing bowl attached to the KitchenAid Stand Mixer reveals the captivating sight of dough rising gracefully within. A large metal mixing bowl attached to the KitchenAid Stand Mixer reveals the captivating sight of dough rising gracefully within.

Transfer your dough into a lightly oiled bowl and cover. Let it rise until it doubles in size.

STEP 3: DOUGH ROLLING

A person is captured sprinkling flour over the dough in preparation for the upcoming rolling process. A person is captured sprinkling flour over the dough in preparation for the upcoming rolling process.

Lightly deflate your proofed dough. On a lightly floured large surface, turn out your dough and shape it into a loose rectangle. Flour your rolling pin and roll the dough out to around ¼ inch (0.635 cm) thickness.

STEP 4: FILLING TIME

A bowl and fork are adorned with a delightful spread, poised to enhance the dough with delectable flavours. A bowl and fork are adorned with a delightful spread, poised to enhance the dough with delectable flavours.

Using an offset spatula, spread your chosen filling on the dough, leaving a slim border of dough bare. Sprinkle additions like chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit if using.

STEP 5: ROLLING THE BABKA

In this close-up image, hands are captured rolling out dough with precision and care. In this close-up image, hands are captured rolling out dough with precision and care.

With the longest side towards you, start rolling the dough into a tight roulade. Once formed, press lightly on your loaf and seal the seam, positioning the loaf seam-side down. Put the roll on a cookie sheet or a tray, and place it in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes to firm up.

STEP 6: BABKA BRAIDING

With finesse and precision, skilled hands shape the dough into its desired form. With finesse and precision, skilled hands shape the dough into its desired form.

Use a serrated knife or pizza cutter to slice the loaf in half lengthwise, revealing the dough and filling layers. Place each half cut-side up, align the dough pieces in parallel. Cross one piece over the other forming an X. Twist each end to create a spiral and press lightly to seal the ends. This part can get a bit messy, but that's part of the fun!

STEP 7: SECOND PROOFING

The beautifully crafted dough is nestled in a prepared loaf pan, continuing its gradual rise. The beautifully crafted dough is nestled in a prepared loaf pan, continuing its gradual rise.

Move the braided babka into a prepared loaf pan and let it rise, covered, at room temperature until doubled in size. The babka should be overflowing the loaf pan after this rise.

STEP 8: BAKE THE BABKA

A delectable Babka emerges from the oven, displaying its perfect golden-brown finish. A delectable Babka emerges from the oven, displaying its perfect golden-brown finish.

Preheat your oven while the dough is rising. Bake the babka for about 45-60 minutes. Test if it’s baked by checking for just a few moist crumbs on a toothpick or cake tester when inserted.

STEP 9: GLAZE AND SERVE

A knife is delicately positioned next to the sliced Babka. A knife is delicately positioned next to the sliced Babka.

If you've baked a sweet babka, glaze your babka with simple syrup using a pastry brush while it's still warm. If you've made a savoury one, brush with olive oil. This will give the babka an attractive glossy finish, making it a truly indulgent delight. Cut the babka into slices or break it into pieces and serve.

THE BABKA CATEGORY: BREAD OR CAKE?

A porcelain platter presents a striking loaf of Babka with its end adorned by precisely cut slices. A porcelain platter presents a striking loaf of Babka with its end adorned by precisely cut slices.

Babka is an enriched yeasted bread. Though some might refer to it as a cake, it is technically a sweet bread because of its challah-style base. Some modern spins on babka incorporate savoury fillings or lessen the sugar in the challah dough.

WHAT ARE THE BABKA FILLING FAVOURITES?

Traditional babka favours cinnamon or chocolate fillings. However, variations abound with fillings of dried fruits, nuts, or halva, a tasty Middle Eastern sesame treat. Feeling creative? Experiment with your own sweet or savoury fillings, but remember to keep them spreadable and chopped small for that characteristic babka swirl and texture.

STORAGE TIPS FOR BABKA

Babka doesn’t need to be refrigerated unless it has cheese or meat fillings. Store any leftover babka in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic at room temperature for up to 5 days. Excess babka also makes an excellent base for French toast or bread pudding.

BABKA SERVING SUGGESTIONS

A delightful assortment of accompaniments that pair perfectly with Babka, including tea and fresh fruit. A delightful assortment of accompaniments that pair perfectly with Babka, including tea and fresh fruit.

Babka goes beautifully with coffee or tea, making it an ideal part of a breakfast layout, served as dessert, or as an anytime indulgence. Savoury babka pairs well with wine and can make a great appetizer.

UNLOCK YOUR BABKA BAKING POTENTIAL WITH KITCHENAID BRAND

Crafting the intricate swirls of a perfect babka becomes a delightful task with the KitchenAid® Stand Mixer. Equipped with its efficient Dough Hook, this culinary essential effortlessly kneads the enriched dough, leaving you to focus on the creative aspects of this intricate bake.