Servings: Makes 2 – 9 inch Babkas
Preheat: 375
Prep Time: ACTIVE: 1 HR 15 MIN TOTAL TIME: 6 HR ( Overnight Resting)
Source: Food and Wine, January 2016
These babkas are from pastry chef Melissa Weller at Sadelle’s in New York City. You can split the dough in two and make one as chocolate and the other as raisin-walnut but be sure to halve each of the filling recipes. The babkas are sweet enough without the glazes.
Note that the raisin-walnut babka may need more time in the over than does the chocolate recipe, as the filling is moist.
Ingredients:
INGREDIENTS
DOUGH
4 cups all-purpose flour, preferably King Arthur
1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons fine sea salt
1 cup whole milk, warmed
1 packet dry active yeast
1 large egg plus 1 large egg yolk
1 stick plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into tablespoons, at room temperature
CHOCOLATE FILLING
9 ounces milk chocolate, finely chopped
3 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, cubed
1 1/2 cups finely ground chocolate wafer cookies
3 tablespoons honey
RAISIN-WALNUT FILLING
3 cups golden raisins, soaked in warm water for 10 minutes and drained
3/4 cup granulated sugar
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons fine sea salt
1/2 cup dark raisins, soaked in warm water for 10 minutes and drained
3/4 cup walnuts, toasted and coarsely chopped
CHOCOLATE GLAZE
12 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
4 ounces milk chocolate, finely chopped
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, cubed
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
RAISIN-WALNUT GLAZE
1 stick unsalted butter
6 tablespoons whole milk
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
Directions:
MAKE THE DOUGH In a medium bowl, whisk the flour with the sugar and salt. In a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine the milk with the yeast and let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. Add the egg and egg yolk and sprinkle the dry ingredients on top. Mix at low speed for 2 minutes. Scrape down the side of the bowl and mix at medium speed until all of the dry ingredients are incorporated and the dough is smooth, about 5 minutes. Add all of the butter at once and mix at low speed until it is fully incorporated and a tacky dough forms, about 3 minutes; scrape down the side of the bowl as needed during mixing. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough stand at room temperature for 1 hour.
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and coat the paper generously with nonstick baking spray. Scrape the dough out onto the parchment paper and cut the dough in half. Pat each piece into a neat square. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
MAKE THE FILLING (see note about halving above)
Chocolate: In a large heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water, melt both chocolates with the butter, stirring occasionally, until smooth. Let cool to room temperature, then stir in the cookie crumbs and honey.
Raisin-Walnut: Combine all of the ingredients except the dark raisins and walnuts in a food processor and puree until smooth.
ASSEMBLE, RISE, AND BAKE
Coat two 9-by-4-inch loaf pans with nonstick baking spray and line with parchment paper, allowing 2 inches of overhang on each of the long sides.
Roll out each square of dough to a 16-inch square. Using an offset spatula, spread all but 1/2 (or 1/4 if halving) cup of the filling in an even layer over the dough squares to within 1/2 inch of the edges. If making the raisin-walnut, sprinkle the dough evenly with the dark raisins and toasted walnuts. Starting at the long edge nearest you, tightly roll up each dough square jelly roll–style into a tight log.
Using a sharp knife, cut the logs in half crosswise. Using an offset spatula, spread 1/4 cup of the reserved filling on the top and sides of 2 of the halves. Set the other halves on top in the opposite direction to form a cross. Twist to form spirals and transfer to the prepared pans. Cover the with a towel and let stand in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 2 hours.
Preheat the oven to 375°. Bake the loaves in the center of the oven for about 45 minutes, until puffed and well browned. Let cool slightly, then use the parchment paper to lift the babkas out of the pans and onto a rack set over a baking sheet. Discard the paper.
MAKE THE GLAZE
Chocolate: In a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water, melt both chocolates with the butter; stir until smooth. Stir in the corn syrup. Spread the glaze on top of the warm babkas and let stand until set, about 30 minutes.
Raisin-walnut: In a small saucepan, melt the butter in the milk. Whisk in the remaining ingredients. Spread the glaze on the warm babkas and let stand until set, about 30 minutes.