share
cookmode
print
You must be logged in to bookmark
Log In / Sign Up
bookmark
You must be logged in to rate
Log In / Sign Up
rate recipe
chocolate babka

Chocolate babka

Chocolate babka is one of those legendary cakes you’re forcing yourself to stop eating because it’s so good.
The perfect coffee cake, my wife calls it, can’t argue there, it is one of the best.
The dough of this cake is a buttery rich yeasted dough, the butter is not layered as the Danish dough, there’s a little resemblance to the brioche dough.
Don’t expect high proofing from this dough, the butter makes it hard for the dough to rise, it will increase its volume by 30-40% but will not double.

chocolate babka

How to make the perfect chocolate babka

If you got a good dough, you got half the work done, that’s comforting because it’s a pretty straight up dough, no need to stress our abilities here, just follow the simple instructions and we’re good

The other half of a good babka is proofing time, don’t leave it to increase to its full potential, I like my babke a bit dense when you can actually feel the buttery layers, not as airy as other rich yeasted cakes like the brioche or danish.

Another key factor for a good chocolate babka is to fully bake the cake, make sure it’s in a good golden-brown color, we need the exterior nice and crispy so we could enjoy the full spectrum of this dough.

Hit me with chocolate!

The chocolate ganache plays a major role in the babka final texture and flavor, it keeps the cake moist and rich, so be sure to use a rich chocolate ganache, with quality chocolate.

A ganache needs to be shiny and thick, when you got these 2 qualities you know you’ll end up with a good ganache, I can’t extend the importance of using a good quality chocolate like 70% and higher Valrhona Chocolate, it makes all the difference.

chocolate babka

In order for it to stabilize, we need to store the ganache in the fridge for about 10-20 minutes, however after its out of the fridge it might be too hard to spread on the babka dough.

If this happens, drop it in the microwave for 10 seconds just enough to make it a bit looser, be careful not to overheat the ganache, we don’t want it runny (or for it to break), just easy to spread on the dough not tearing it apart.

chocolate babka

chocolate babka

Ingredients

For the dough

500g/ 1lb. 2oz. bread flour

15g/½oz. dry yeast

100g/ 3oz. sugar

1 medium egg

2 egg yolks

1 tbsp. Vanilla extract

1 tbsp. grated lemon

150g, 5oz. room temperature butter

1 tsp. salt

For the chocolate filling

230g/ 8oz. dark chocolate

28g/ 1oz. soft butter




Instructions

1

Making the Dough: In a bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the hook attachment.
Place all the dough’s ingredients except the salt and mix for 3 minutes on low speed.
Add the salt and mix on medium speed for another 3 minutes.
Place the dough in the fridge for 2 hours, preferably overnight.

chocolate babka

2

Making the Chocolate ganache: Make a double boiler by placing the chocolate in a heat proof bowl and the bowl on a small saucepan while making sure the bowl doesn’t touch the pan.
Melt the chocolate, remove from heat and add the butter, mix until smooth and shiny, place in the fridge for 10 minutes.

chocolate babka

3

Working the dough: Butter a Bundt or Gugelhupf pan and dust with flour.
Flour a work surface and use 650 grams of the dough we made earlier (it should be about half).
Use a rolling pin to flatten the dough thinly to a wide rectangle of 40cm./15 inch on 25cm./ 9 inch.

chocolate babka

4

Assembling the Babka: Spread the chocolate ganache on the dough in a thin layer and roll it to a log shape.
Place in the Bundt pan and pinch the ends to tie them together.
Proof for 1-2 hours depends on the weather.

chocolate babka

5

Preheat the oven to 170°c/350°F.
Bake the babka for 25 minutes until becomes reaches a nice golden-brown color.
Cool for 20 minutes before serving.

chocolate babka

Categories:

Get Free Email Updates!

Signup now and receive an email once I publish new content.

I agree to have my personal information transfered to MailChimp ( more information )

I will never give away, trade or sell your email address. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Summary
recipe image
Recipe Name
Chocolate Babka
Published On
Preparation Time
Cook Time
Total Time

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

FoolProofBaking
Close Cookmode