Spoiler Alert: This BABKA is off the hook amazing 😉
I’ll spare you the love letter I could dedicate to this babka and just tell you straight up – I’m a girl in love. In love with chocolate. In love with butter. And in love with large amounts of both of them baking up into an awesomely intense chocolate overload of a bread.
Have you had chocolate babka? If not – clear your weekend schedule and gather your chocolate and butter, friends. Oh, and sign up for an extra intense bootcamp calorie burning session next week. You’ll thank me later.
On to the topic of my love babka. After some inspiration from this episode, finding a chocolate babka recipe from Martha, and seeing said recipe backed up by the beautiful Deb over at Smitten Kitchen – making chocolate babka was an easy sell. I mean… Smitten kitchen, Seinfeld, and Martha all buzzing about chocolate bread cake? This had to be good.
And it was.
It was glorious. It was addicting. It was nibbled on endlessly for every meal imaginable. But calling this babka just good would be the understatement of the year. After my third slice, I swore surely there must be babka served in heaven. #fingerscrossed
As for the workload: this is not a quick, cheap, whip of your whisk and you’re done kind of recipe. It’s a labor of love. It’s a project. It’s a commitment.
The good news? In the end you’ll be rewarded for all your efforts. Rewarded with soft, fluffy, gooey, chocolatey babka.
The actual process of making and forming the dough is a simple, but complex process that took me from start to finish 6 (!!!) hours. The cost alone for butter and chocolate had me shaking my pockets for change. And can we not even talk about the calories a slice of this buttery dense chocolate glory contains? Let’s not. Instead, I want to talk about how worth it this is. How every cent, calorie, and second spent on making and baking this babka will disappear the minute you sink your teeth into your very first bite. Not making this would be cheating yourself, and we just can’t have that!
This recipe makes 3 hefty loaves. They freeze well in the pan pre-baked or flash frozen right after – I’ve done both – but I can assure you anyone would adore you for a lifetime if you gifted one of these loaves upon them.
Seriously – they get snatched up fast; make sure you save yourself a slice!
Chocolate Babka
Prep
Cook
Total
Yield 3 loaves; 24 slices
The best! Homemade Chocolate Babka is such a baking project.
Ingredients
- For the Streusel Topping:
- 1 and 2/3 cups confectioners' sugar
- 1 and 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
- For the Chocolate Babka:
- 1 and 1/2 cups warm milk, 110 degrees
- 2 (1/4 ounce each) packages active dry yeast
- 1 and 3/4 cups (plus a pinch) granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 large egg yolks, room temperature
- 6 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for work surface
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 and 3/4 cups (3 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch pieces, room temperature, plus more for bowl and loaf pans
- 2 and 1/4 pounds semisweet chocolate, very finely chopped
- 2 and 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
Instructions
- For the Streusel Topping:
- In a large bowl, combine sugar, flour, and butter. Using a fork, stir until fully combined with clumps ranging in size from crumbs to 1 inch.
- For the Babka:
- Pour warm milk into a small bowl. Sprinkle yeast and pinch of sugar over milk; let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes.
- In a bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup sugar, 2 eggs, and egg yolks. Add egg mixture to yeast mixture, and whisk to combine.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine flour and salt. Add egg mixture, and beat on low speed until almost all the flour is incorporated, about 30 seconds. Change to the dough hook. Add 2 sticks butter, and beat until flour mixture and butter are completely incorporated, and a smooth, soft dough that's slightly sticky when squeezed is formed, about 10 minutes.
- Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead a few turns until smooth. Butter a large bowl. Place dough in bowl, and turn to coat. Cover tightly with plastic wrap. Set aside in a warm place to rise until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
- Place chocolate, remaining cup sugar, and cinnamon in a large bowl, and stir to combine. Using two knives or a pastry cutter, cut in remaining 1 1/2 sticks butter until well combined; set filling aside.
- Generously butter three 9-by-5-by-2 3/4-inch loaf pans; line them with parchment paper. Beat remaining egg with 1 tablespoon cream; set egg wash aside. Punch back the dough, and transfer to a clean surface. Let rest 5 minutes. Cut into 3 equal pieces. Keep 2 pieces covered with plastic wrap while working with the remaining piece. On a generously floured surface, roll dough out into a 16-inch square; it should be 1/8 inch thick.
- Brush edges with reserved egg wash. Crumble 1/3 of the reserved chocolate filling evenly over dough, leaving a 1/4-inch border. Refresh egg wash if needed. Roll dough up tightly like a jelly roll. Pinch ends together to seal. Twist 5 or 6 turns. Brush top of roll with egg wash. Carefully crumble 2 tablespoons filling over the left half of the roll, being careful not to let mixture slide off. Fold right half of the roll over onto the coated left half. Fold ends under, and pinch to seal. Twist roll 2 turns, and fit into prepared pan. Repeat with the remaining 2 pieces of dough and remaining filling.
- Heat oven to 350 degrees. Brush the top of each loaf with egg wash. Crumble 1/3 of streusel topping over each loaf. Loosely cover each pan with plastic wrap, and let stand in a warm place 20 to 30 minutes.
- Bake loaves, rotating halfway through, until golden, about 55 minutes. Lower oven temperature to 325 degrees. Bake until babkas are deep golden, 15 to 20 minutes more. Remove from oven, and transfer to wire wracks until cool. Remove from pans and serve.
Notes
Recipe from Martha Stewart; additional inspiration from Smitten Kitchen
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 slice
Amount Per Serving | ||
|---|---|---|
% Daily Value |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
October 27, 2011 at 3:15 amI just looked at the amount of butter in this. I shouldn’t have. But oh MY god does it look amazing. Just the word “babka” is amazing actually. I mean how fun is it to just say that out loud? I kind of want to spend a whole Sunday making this. Babka, babka, babaka…
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
October 27, 2011 at 3:15 amthat extra “a” is just for fun 😉
bakerbynature says
October 30, 2011 at 11:37 pmfun just like you, girl!
bakerbynature says
October 30, 2011 at 11:38 pmJust pretend you didn’t see the butter amount! And in it’s defense: it’s divided between three loaves.
And Babka is one of the funnest words ever! My friend said babka about 130 times the first time I made this!
David Repetowsky says
June 19, 2016 at 4:24 pmIt is a Ukrainian word meaning “grandmother”.
DR
Three-Cookies says
October 27, 2011 at 9:22 amLots of butter and chocolate, no wonder it was so delicious. It make increase the motivation to go for an intense calorie burning exercise:)
bakerbynature says
October 30, 2011 at 11:36 pmI always use dessert as work out inspiration 🙂 No better way to get my booty to the gym like eating a half pound of butter and chocolate…
Purabi Naha says
October 27, 2011 at 9:50 amAbsolutely yummy babka! I am mesmerised by the technique involved and you did it so well!
bakerbynature says
October 30, 2011 at 11:35 pmThank you! It was easier than it looks, and I knew once I was eating that first slice it would all be worth it 🙂
yummychunklet says
October 27, 2011 at 12:04 pmWow. This looks extremely fun to make (and eat, I bet!)
bakerbynature says
October 30, 2011 at 11:35 pmBoth were totally fun to do… and totally tasty!
Kristy says
October 27, 2011 at 1:42 pmWell, you know I’m the weirdo that doesn’t like chocolate, but this is beautiful! (And impressive!)
bakerbynature says
October 30, 2011 at 11:34 pmI’ve got some “non-chocolate” desserts coming up soon, with you and little miss caroline in mind 🙂
xx
Caroline says
November 1, 2011 at 7:30 pmYou’re the best. 🙂
bakerbynature says
November 1, 2011 at 11:20 pmAw Caroline! No… you are 🙂
How middle school was that?!
Mary says
October 2, 2018 at 10:50 pmI just picked one up at Publix and it have cinnamon in it instead of chocolate it was to die for
Marilynka says
November 6, 2018 at 10:30 pmI bought hazelnut and its delicious Today I bake my own… and this recipe… I am so curious how will be
Danielle says
October 27, 2011 at 3:50 pmYum, that looks delicious. I love chocolate.
bakerbynature says
October 30, 2011 at 11:32 pmMe too! Total chocoholic here.
Kelly says
October 27, 2011 at 4:32 pmOh MY… your babka looks extraordinarily good and, I do indeed, love dark chocolate so you know a post like this gets me *rather* excited. I might try making this using slightly less sugar – as I am want to do – but it may take some experimenting to get anywhere close to your gorgeous and no doubt delectable version. Your pictures….stunners!
bakerbynature says
October 30, 2011 at 11:31 pmThank you, Kelly! I think you could probably cut down the sugar and chocolate to be honest. I just like to be a little “over indulgent” at times. Let me know if you try it cutting back on the sweet stuff 🙂
xx
Pure Complex says
October 27, 2011 at 4:46 pmI saw chocolate and I came running over here to this amazing post. This Chocolate Babka looks amazing.. and I love how you rolled it. I don’t think I can do that but i will definitely try
bakerbynature says
October 30, 2011 at 11:30 pmYou totally can, doll! I promise, it sounds far more complicated than it is.
Treat and Trick says
October 27, 2011 at 6:24 pmIt is really worth your effort! Gorgeous and so rich, I want to grab those slices right away…
bakerbynature says
October 30, 2011 at 11:30 pmTotally worth the efforts! Each slice is like a little taste of heaven.
Mandy@Withmilkandflour says
October 27, 2011 at 6:31 pmWow, this looks amazing. Chocolate, bread and streusel topping, sounds like my idea of heaven. I’ve never heard of Chocolate Babka, but after reading your post, I know I have to make one!
bakerbynature says
October 30, 2011 at 11:29 pmMake one!!! Or three…
Your kitchen will smell amazing, and your taste buds will be partying within seconds of that first biite!
Greg says
October 27, 2011 at 6:34 pmThat looks crazy good and I’ll admit it my first thought was the Seinfeld episode. Most of my other thoughts went like mmm, oh, um.
bakerbynature says
October 30, 2011 at 11:28 pmI’m a total Seinfeld dweeb…
Mary says
October 27, 2011 at 8:41 pmI drooled over Deb’s recipe and pictures when I initially saw them. Wow. What a recipe. Yours looks gorgeous too! And you have tempted me to make this all over again!! I am most definitely going to do this, but it won’t be anytime soon. Almost a pound and a half of butter and over two pounds of chocolate will have to wait until I have a LOT of people nearby to take this off my hands. I’d like to though, oh man, I would so love to make this today. It sounds heavenly!
bakerbynature says
October 30, 2011 at 11:28 pmIt’s great to make around the holidays, as you can share at meals, or gift them off 🙂
My Inner Chick says
October 27, 2011 at 10:25 pm*** I’m a girl in love. In love with chocolate. In love with butter***
Love that! Me, too.
This definitely looks like something God would serve. Oh, Myyy. Xx
bakerbynature says
October 30, 2011 at 11:27 pmI hope God here’s our request for this 🙂
xx
Heather @girlichef says
October 27, 2011 at 11:03 pmSold! Holy freakin’ crap, I’m in love from afar. This is going on the to-make-immediately list!
bakerbynature says
October 30, 2011 at 11:27 pmYay! I hope you do make it!!!
Patricia D says
October 27, 2011 at 11:40 pmWow! What a delicious recipe. Thanks for sharing. This looks great.
bakerbynature says
October 30, 2011 at 11:27 pmThank you, Patricia! It was a splendid treat to have around, and went great with coffee in the mornings.
Caroline says
October 27, 2011 at 11:49 pmI’m a weirdo, just like Kristy, and don’t like chocolate, but this is a fabulous recipe. I’d never heard of babka before. You’re right…there’s no way this was going to be a failure if Marth and Deb approved! xx
bakerbynature says
October 30, 2011 at 11:26 pmMartha and Deb are always steering us right! And I know you gals and your “chocolate issues” 🙂
I hope you’re doing well, Caroline.
xx
sugarpuffi says
October 28, 2011 at 12:38 amwow this looks absolutely delicious! i wish i could make something like this
bakerbynature says
October 30, 2011 at 11:25 pmYou totally can!!!
Evelyne@CheapEthnicEatz says
October 28, 2011 at 2:07 amoh…my! A little speechless. Wow, 6 hours? It may have been a labor of love with a hefty price tag but so so worth it. Great pics too!
bakerbynature says
October 30, 2011 at 11:25 pmI like my weekend mornings spent in the kitchen, so it didn’t bother me much. And, once I ate the first slice all the work was washed away with it’s deliciousness 🙂
Rach says
October 28, 2011 at 2:22 amOh my goodness, that looks amazing!
bakerbynature says
October 30, 2011 at 11:24 pmoh man… it was! thanks, rach!
Emma says
October 28, 2011 at 2:28 am“Simple, but complex.” That’s like my life motto.
That fourth to last photo reminds me of some sort of delicious giant shrimp fetus. And it makes me hungry. 😀
bakerbynature says
October 30, 2011 at 11:23 pmLooking back at it now, it kind of does look like a giant shrimp!
Junia @ Mis Pensamientos says
October 28, 2011 at 3:02 amseriously, WOW. this looks sooo good. i love baked bread. love the swirls and the crumble topping here. great step by step picture! 🙂
bakerbynature says
October 30, 2011 at 11:22 pmThank you! I felt the step by step might help a little more for people baking this for the first time.
xx
Words Of Deliciousness says
October 28, 2011 at 3:18 amI can sum this in one word, YUM!!!!
Thank you for stopping by my blog. I love your blog, it really is amazing.
bakerbynature says
October 30, 2011 at 11:22 pmThank you, dear!! And yes – yum totally sums that babka up 🙂
Miriam @ Overtime Cook says
October 28, 2011 at 4:08 amWow, your Babka looks amazing! I love the step by step pictures. And that last one…I want to bite into my laptop screen!
bakerbynature says
October 30, 2011 at 11:21 pmHaha! Just bake one up… it will taste better than the screen – promise 🙂
xx
Cheryl Barker says
October 28, 2011 at 4:29 amI remember the Seinfeld episode with the babka! 🙂 I had no idea there was such a thing as chocolate babka, though — in fact, I’ve never had any kind of babka. I LOVE chocolate, though, so am sure I would fall in love with this! 🙂
bakerbynature says
October 30, 2011 at 11:21 pmI think you would too… like head over heels in love!
Priya says
October 28, 2011 at 5:31 amWow… You are so detail oriented… The cake looks delicious!
bakerbynature says
October 30, 2011 at 11:19 pmThank you, dear! It was divine 🙂
Tandy says
October 28, 2011 at 5:48 amI am in love! Chocolate, butter, yummy looking babka 🙂
bakerbynature says
October 30, 2011 at 11:19 pmChocolate and butter are the most amazing combo! And baked into bread… forget about it!!!!!!
Kate M. says
October 28, 2011 at 5:57 amI followed your link here from the comment you left on my blog. I love your photos and ambiance of your blog. 🙂
bakerbynature says
October 30, 2011 at 11:18 pmThank you SO much, Kate! I’m happy you’re here!
Maggie @ A Bitchin' Kitchen says
October 28, 2011 at 6:49 amGood recipes are always worth the wait 🙂
I made a peach pie from scratch a few months ago that took me hours and hours, but it was one of the most delicious desserts I’ve ever had. I’m sure if I made this it would join the peach pie on that list of time consuming, but worth it!
bakerbynature says
October 30, 2011 at 11:17 pmTotally agree! In life, the things that take some effort are usually worth the reward. Mmmm… peach pie sounds amazing right now 🙂
Charles says
October 28, 2011 at 8:51 amOh sweet jesus – what more can be said but “wow”? One of the pictures reminds me of something they sell in France called a “torsade au chocolat” – it’s a bit like like a small chocolate twist made with croissant pastry and vanilla cream too I think. This looks incredibly good. Screw sharing it with anyone – if I make this I’m saving this baby all for myself 😀
bakerbynature says
October 30, 2011 at 11:16 pmLove it, Charles! They freeze great, so screw sharing indeed 🙂
PS – I just booked my flight to Paris is April (squeals of joy and excitement!!!) I think I will gain 20 pounds while i’m there. whatevs.
Beth says
October 28, 2011 at 9:18 amYou did a great job of selling me on that bread! Seriously, if smitten kitchen loves a recipe, it has to be good. I’ve used so many of her recipes and they’re all terrific.
bakerbynature says
October 30, 2011 at 11:15 pmAgreed: Deb is a recipe rockstar!
Melanie @ Melanie Cooks says
October 28, 2011 at 12:12 pmAnything with such amounts for chocolate and butter in it must be delicious 🙂 I love the Callebaut chocolate pic – I want to eat that chocolate by itself! Your have such gorgeous step-by-step pictures here, and the babka looks mouthwatering!
bakerbynature says
October 30, 2011 at 11:14 pmIt took great amounts of self control to stop myself from eating that 2 and 1/2 pound block of chocolate straight up… But this babka was worth the will power!
Anna says
October 28, 2011 at 1:54 pmThis looks amazing. Maybe breakfast worthy for my birthday next week 🙂 Thanks for stopping by my blog…looking forward to exploring yours, it’s beautiful!
bakerbynature says
October 30, 2011 at 11:13 pmThank you, Anna! And Happy Birthday in advance; I think a breakfast babka is definitely in line 🙂
xx
Karen Klasi says
October 28, 2011 at 2:21 pmMercy. Forget the chicken noodle soup (thanks so much for your sweet offer), THIS is what will make me whole! Think about this: I come over and we bake together. Brilliant, yes?? We can wait until I’m finished with the whole cough-up-a-lung business, but not a second longer. I’m certain the WH can hold down the fort while I’m gone. I’ll leave him a chicken. 🙂
bakerbynature says
October 30, 2011 at 11:12 pmBrilliant! Love this idea 🙂
Hope you’re all better now?!
monica says
October 28, 2011 at 4:47 pmoh dear.
I’m ruined.
This has to be done. Sigh.
bakerbynature says
October 30, 2011 at 11:11 pmYippee 🙂 You’ll love love love it!! xx
Courtney says
October 28, 2011 at 4:59 pmOh, I so wish you had lied and said it was super easy to whip up – and only took an hour… because then I would be making it RIGHT NOW. But alas, that is not to be… not yet anyways. I seriously wish you could mail me some.
bakerbynature says
October 30, 2011 at 11:11 pmIf I had any left I would!! xx
Carol @ There's Always Thyme to Cook says
October 28, 2011 at 7:03 pmYour babka looks absolutely fantastic, better than the ones I get from the bakery! I wish had a big slice to pull apart and devour!
bakerbynature says
October 30, 2011 at 11:10 pmI think the freshness of having it baked right in your kitchen is what really sets it apart from bakery babkas. And it fills your house with the most amazing smell for days!
Linda says
October 28, 2011 at 8:27 pmOMG good!! wow, this is something I must bake! My coworkers will go crazy over this!!
bakerbynature says
October 30, 2011 at 11:08 pmYay, Linda! I hope you do make it; your co-workers will be singing your praises 🙂
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
October 28, 2011 at 10:33 pmI’ve never had Babka before but now I’m very alert on this special sweets. This looks good, I blame myself I’m not a baker who just starts whipping this up as soon as seeing this post. I really wish. I am really intimidated unless I make it with someone else. I just want one small slice of this…or else I know I’ll be finishing everything with no doubt. 1 week of boot camp won’t be enough… Beautiful post and Babka…I’m trying to find it somewhere…
bakerbynature says
October 30, 2011 at 11:07 pmThanks, Nami! I wish I could make it with you… I would totally take the other loaves off your hands 🙂
Helene says
October 29, 2011 at 4:48 pmI have never eaten a Babka before. With the amount of butter it must have such a great taste. I’m a chocolate lover, I think I would not stop eating this.
bakerbynature says
October 30, 2011 at 11:04 pmIt’s pretty hard to just have one slice 🙂 And yes, the butter definitely adds to the amazing taste.
Jesica @ Pencil Kitchen says
October 29, 2011 at 10:14 pmI have been wondering.. where was THAT post that made me obsessed about chocolate swirl type of bread… it was you!
bakerbynature says
October 30, 2011 at 11:03 pmGuilty 🙂
Anne@frommysweetheart says
October 29, 2011 at 10:23 pmWow…very clearly a labor of love! But I am a firm believer in that anything worth doing is worth doing well. This bread is a beauty! Your pictures are outstanding! And now…I feel like I can’t stop thinking about it either! : )
bakerbynature says
October 30, 2011 at 11:03 pmAnne, you’re too sweet 🙂 Thank you – it was as delicious as it looks.
Angie@Angiesrecipes says
October 30, 2011 at 12:08 pmI love chocolate babka! The streusel topping looks sensational.
bakerbynature says
October 30, 2011 at 11:01 pmOh Angie, it was divine! Big rich crumbles of streusel topping can be pretty addicting…
lena says
October 30, 2011 at 1:55 pmi’ve heard of babka but never had a chance to eat them..i guess the only way would have to do it myself. You sounded them really good, i just got to make these someday. Happy Halloween!!
bakerbynature says
October 30, 2011 at 11:00 pmHappy Halloween, dear!
bakerbynature says
October 30, 2011 at 10:59 pmDo it 🙂
bakerbynature says
October 30, 2011 at 11:01 pmMe too 🙂
bakerbynature says
October 30, 2011 at 11:12 pmCash.It.In.Girl!!!
bakerbynature says
October 30, 2011 at 11:39 pmHey Movita! Did you end up doing it today?!? I hope so!
xx
Kulsum at JourneyKitchen says
October 31, 2011 at 6:42 amGoodness me! I’m craving chocolate so badly after looking at this beautiful masterpiece.
bakerbynature says
November 1, 2011 at 11:09 pmIt’s the perfect cure to a chocolate craving 🙂
FOODESSA says
October 31, 2011 at 10:35 amFor my first time visiting your culinary place…wow, you’ve got me hooked into this labour of love which quite honestly never crossed my interests bar.
I’m usually not enthusiastic about rolling out any dough, even when chocolate is the star of the show. However, the more I read your post and the rest of the ingredients…well, let’s just say, I got the strong feeling that I’ll be caving on this one. I bookmarked your post and will certainly have to get a friend to join me in this future adventure ;o)
Ciao for now and flavourful wishes,
Claudia
bakerbynature says
November 1, 2011 at 11:11 pmHi Claudia! Rolling out the dough really isn’t as bad as it seems, and I think grabbing a friend or two to join you in the baking fun is brilliant! 🙂 Hope you make it soon!
Erika @ The Teenage Taste says
October 31, 2011 at 11:18 amI come from an all Ukrainian and Polish family. This is a must-have! 😀
bakerbynature says
November 1, 2011 at 11:11 pmPerfect-o to whip up for the holidays 🙂
Jessica Ann says
October 31, 2011 at 2:01 pmOh my goodness. Oh my GOODNESS. These pictures have literally just made my mouth water. How have I lived for twenty eight long years and not known that this exists?!
bakerbynature says
November 1, 2011 at 11:12 pmI was asking myself the same question when I finally discovered this! It’s amazing!!
Juliana says
October 31, 2011 at 8:41 pmAlthough I never had babka…the way you presented cannot be ignored…looks awesome!
Beautifully done Ashley 🙂
Hope you have a wonderful week ahead!
bakerbynature says
November 1, 2011 at 11:13 pmThank you, Juliana! I know, babka’s a pretty unknown gem in the dessert world, but anyone I know that’s tried it has fallen in love – dangerous stuff 🙂
Geni says
October 31, 2011 at 9:16 pmI remember that Seinfeld episode and cracked up. Thanks for that. Now, for this gorgeous, Bon Appetit cover worthy dessert…oh heavens. I. Must. Have IT. I have perused the blogosphere alot today and honestly there is nothing more worthy of a calorie load than this beautiful delicious looking bread right here. Amazing.
bakerbynature says
November 1, 2011 at 11:15 pmIsn’t that episode hilarious?! I seriously spend way too many hours side split laughing to that show…
And THANK YOU for your sweet compliments – you rock 🙂
Ingrid @ Silly & Hungry says
November 1, 2011 at 1:09 amIn love with chocolate and butter? A girl after my own heart.
Except this recipe looks too complicated for me, eek! Bread like recipes always scare me a little. And the phrase “dough hook” makes me run. 🙁
bakerbynature says
November 1, 2011 at 11:15 pmIngrid – I should have mentioned this: I made this ALL by hand. No mixer at all!! You can do it!
xx
Kelly @ Free Spirit Food says
November 1, 2011 at 2:39 pmWow, I’ve never heard of this but it looks so good!
bakerbynature says
November 1, 2011 at 11:17 pmIt’s pretty ridiculous how delicious it really is. I have so many family members requesting these for christmas gifts! Score.
Liz @ Southern Charm says
November 1, 2011 at 4:05 pmGimmie!!!!
bakerbynature says
November 1, 2011 at 11:17 pmHaha!! I think I may need to do a Babka giveaway 🙂
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
November 1, 2011 at 6:03 pmOMG!!! That looks ridiculously yummy! Ditto about chocolate, butter and everything in between 🙂
bakerbynature says
November 1, 2011 at 11:18 pmThis bread is chocolate and butter baked into bliss. Like whoa!
Biana | Simple and Tasty Recipes says
November 1, 2011 at 8:46 pmThis looks extremely delicious! Chocolate, butter – what’s not to like?
bakerbynature says
November 1, 2011 at 11:20 pmMaybe the calories… but who worries about those?!
nancy at good food matters says
November 1, 2011 at 9:30 pmMer-cy, this is one powerful post! You’ve inspired us all. Babka rules!
bakerbynature says
November 1, 2011 at 11:20 pmYou rule!
Ann says
November 2, 2011 at 3:04 amH.o.l.y. C.o.w. That is unbelievably amazing! I can see how you’d need a work out after that, but it’d be SOoooo worth it!
bakerbynature says
November 2, 2011 at 1:15 pmSooooo worth it is right! And to be honest, an indulgence like this always keeps me on track with my treadmill sessions – it’s all about balance 🙂
Cookie and Kate says
November 2, 2011 at 4:48 amMmmm, look at all of that butter and chocolate rolled together! This bread looks amazing, though I admit I am daunted by the prep time. Looks like it’s worth the effort!
P.s. love your blog’s header!
bakerbynature says
November 2, 2011 at 1:16 pmThanks, Kate! Yeah… 6 hours can be an alarming amount of hours to see included in a recipe. But if you have a morning free, and pop on some good tunes, baking this up is actually a pretty fun project with a totally delicious ending 🙂
My Little Expat Kitchen says
November 2, 2011 at 12:14 pmI’ve never had a chocolate babka, or any babka for that matter, but seeing it here, in all it’s buttery, chocolatey glory, it looks like something I have to try.
Btw, I love that Seinfeld episode!
Magda
bakerbynature says
November 2, 2011 at 1:18 pmIt’s one of my favorite episodes! It’s not only hilarious, but also opened my eyes to the glory of chocolate babka 🙂
Divya Yadava says
November 2, 2011 at 3:22 pmThree letters…O..M..G. How did I not know what a babka was? I am definitely trying this out – but first I got to schedule in some gym time. Will need it after this :P.
bakerbynature says
November 3, 2011 at 12:56 pmMy gym and I have been getting to know each other quite well this week 🙂 But hey – babka is worth the pain of a little more “intense” sweat session.
Rosa says
November 2, 2011 at 7:12 pmWhat a sinful brioche! That is the kind of treat I love to bake and enjoy with a cuppa.
Cheers,
Rosa
bakerbynature says
November 3, 2011 at 12:55 pmMmmmm… a cuppa sounds perfect right now 🙂
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen says
November 3, 2011 at 2:39 amI have always wanted to try making babka myself and now that I see this one it makes me want to try it even more! Gorgeous.
bakerbynature says
November 3, 2011 at 12:55 pmYou totally should, Sylvie! It was really fun to make, and heavenly to eat.
Angela @ Mind Over Batter says
November 3, 2011 at 3:09 pmThis… Is… Omigosh… I’m almost speechless…!
Yeasted dough + chocolate filling + streusel topping + a step by step = I think I love you. No, really – I think… Yeah, I think I love you…
bakerbynature says
November 3, 2011 at 3:36 pmI love being loved 🙂 !!! And I love you too… now bake this and ship me over a loaf?! I’m going through withdraw!
RivkahV says
December 9, 2011 at 4:05 pmThanks for the recipe!! It’s great! and they ARE DELICIOUS! can’t stop eating them!
I just don’t know why mines sink in the inside, only the top did rise… any idea of why did it happen?
Hope you can help me 🙂
Greeting from Mexico
bakerbynature says
December 11, 2011 at 2:42 amThat is very strange…
Did you follow the directions step-by-step?
mode a paris says
February 23, 2012 at 3:49 amlovely!!!
Helena says
October 8, 2015 at 2:47 amThis looks Delicious!! I’ve had it once at Dean & deluca and it was amazing but cost $15 for a loaf so thanks for the recipe. BTW “Babka” means grandma in Russian.
bakerbynature says
October 11, 2015 at 3:26 pmHi Helena. Haha, yes babka prices can be outrageous! But in my opinion, it’s worth every dollar 😉 I hope you try making a homemade version soon!
Jenna says
June 8, 2016 at 6:38 amLooks amazing! If you freeze the other two loaves, do you bring them to room temp before baking?
Lana says
October 14, 2016 at 3:38 pmHi Helena.
Could u plze give us ingredients and recipe for just one loaf cuz it’s a big amount. I think U can do it because ur babka is the best ever.
Best Regards
bakerbynature says
October 16, 2016 at 6:29 pmHi Lana. I’m sorry but I don’t have a recipe for a single serving chocolate babka at this point. If I develop this recipe to make just one loaf in the future I’ll be sure to let you know 🙂
Dee says
November 14, 2016 at 3:02 amI made this babka and….it was AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am going to be making this every year for Easter as a tradition (and maybe a few more times in between hehehe).
Thank you for this delicious recipe!
Marybeth Karpe says
January 14, 2017 at 5:29 pmThis sounds amazing! Mine are baking in the oven as we speak! I’m a little concerned though, is the dough supposed to be very soft and fragile? Because hat is the way mine came out, I hope I didn’t make a mistake!
Karin Heimel-Heck says
May 13, 2017 at 9:20 pmThis may seem like a silly question but I thought I would ask. If I try to use a bread machine to just make the dough do you think it would work? I was thinking if I put all the wet ingredients in the bottom of the machine as usual and then added the dry ingredients and the yeast last – do you think it would work? I have made this recipe by hand dozens of times and love it – I have also substituted cinnamon for the chocolate and it was awesome? I just thought I may be able to try it in the bread machine – at least the first part – what do you think?
bakerbynature says
May 13, 2017 at 11:24 pmHi Karin. I’m so glad you enjoy this recipe! I have zero experience with bread machines, so I honestly can’t say. I’m sorry I can’t be more helpful – but if you try, I’d love to hear how it turns out 🙂 Happy baking!
Lana says
May 18, 2017 at 6:22 pmCan you please convert the ingredients’ measurements into gms or oz??