Description
Soft, buttery Super easy Chocolate Babka braided with rich chocolate swirls—perfect for beginner bakers seeking a stunning homemade treat.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons instant active yeast
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter
- 2 eggs
- 1 ½ cups whole milk (start with ¾ cup, add more as needed)
- 8 oz chopped dark chocolate (50–60% cocoa)
- 10 tablespoons softened butter (for filling)
- ¼ cup water (for syrup)
- ¼ cup sugar (for syrup)
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients: cube cold butter, chop chocolate, line loaf pans with parchment or grease.
- In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Rub in cold butter until crumbly.
- Add eggs one at a time. Slowly add milk while mixing to form a soft dough.
- Knead by hand or with a stand mixer until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 10–15 minutes.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1–2 hours until doubled in size.
- Divide dough into two portions. Roll each into a rectangle on a floured surface.
- Spread softened butter over dough and sprinkle evenly with chopped chocolate.
- Roll into a log, slice lengthwise, and braid with cut sides facing up. Place in loaf pans.
- Cover and let rise again for 45–60 minutes until puffy. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Bake for 30–35 minutes until golden brown. Tent with foil if top browns too quickly.
- Prepare syrup by simmering sugar and water until dissolved. Brush babka with syrup while warm.
- Cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving.
Notes
- If dough is too sticky, keep kneading—it will smooth out.
- Use fresh yeast for best results; old yeast may not rise properly.
- Cover dough with plastic wrap or a damp cloth during rising to prevent drying.
- Freeze leftover slices wrapped in plastic and foil for up to 3 months.
- Use high-quality chocolate for best flavor and texture—avoid compound chocolate.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Eastern European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 1825
- Sugar: 57g
- Sodium: 2835mg
- Fat: 77g
- Saturated Fat: 44g
- Unsaturated Fat: 29g
- Trans Fat: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 241g
- Fiber: 15g
- Protein: 43g
- Cholesterol: 288mg