If you love the idea of indulging in a rich, tender bread that’s swirled with decadent layers of chocolate, then this Chocolate Babka Recipe is absolutely for you. This traditional Jewish-inspired yeast bread delivers a perfect harmony of soft, buttery dough intertwined with luscious dark chocolate filling, making it a stunning centerpiece for holidays, a cozy brunch, or a thoughtful homemade gift. Every bite promises a sweet, comforting experience that feels both elegant and lovingly familiar.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Chocolate Babka Recipe lies in its straightforward yet essential ingredients. Each component plays a critical role, from the tender, fluffy dough that forms the heart of this treat to the rich chocolate filling that weaves through each luscious layer.
- 3 cups flour: The foundation for a soft, chewy dough with perfect structure.
- 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast: Helps the dough rise beautifully, giving babka its signature lightness.
- ¼ cup sugar: Adds just enough sweetness to balance the chocolate without overpowering.
- ¾ cup warm milk: Activates the yeast and keeps the dough tender and moist.
- ¼ cup butter, softened: Infuses richness and flavor directly into the dough.
- 2 eggs: Bind ingredients together and add to the dough’s supple texture.
- 1 teaspoon salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- 4 oz dark chocolate, melted: The star of the filling, providing intense chocolatey goodness.
- ¼ cup butter (for filling): Adds smoothness and richness to the chocolate spread.
- ¼ cup sugar (for filling): Sweetens the chocolate filling for that perfect bite.
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder: Deepens the chocolate flavor and adds a beautiful dark swirl.
How to Make Chocolate Babka Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Start by combining warm milk, yeast, sugar, softened butter, eggs, and salt in a large bowl. Mix until fully integrated, then gradually add the flour, kneading gently until a smooth, elastic dough forms. This part is essential — a well-kneaded dough will rise beautifully and have that tender crumb you’re aiming for. Cover and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 to 1½ hours, until doubled in size and fluffy.
Step 2: Make the Chocolate Filling
While the dough is rising, prepare your chocolate filling by mixing melted dark chocolate, butter, sugar, and cocoa powder in a bowl until silky and well combined. This mixture will be generously spread on your rolled-out dough, delivering that rich swirl of chocolate that’s signature to this babka.
Step 3: Shape the Babka
Once your dough has risen, punch it down gently and roll it out into a large rectangle about ¼ inch thick on a floured surface. Spread the chocolate filling evenly over the dough, making sure every corner is covered. Then, roll the dough tightly from the long side, creating a log that encases the chocolate filling. Using a sharp knife, slice the roll lengthwise into two strands, exposing the chocolate swirls inside. Twist these strands together carefully, keeping the cut sides facing up to reveal the gorgeous layers.
Step 4: Second Rise and Baking
Transfer your twisted dough into a greased loaf pan, gently tucking the ends underneath to shape. Cover and allow it to rise for another 30 minutes. Then bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the babka turns a beautiful golden brown and smells utterly irresistible. For an extra touch of shine and moisture, brush the warm loaf with simple syrup right after baking.
How to Serve Chocolate Babka Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate your Chocolate Babka, consider dusting the top with powdered sugar or a light drizzle of melted chocolate. Toasted chopped nuts like pistachios or hazelnuts also make a wonderful crunchy garnish that adds texture and a nutty contrast to the soft bread.
Side Dishes
This delectable sweet bread pairs wonderfully with simple sides like fresh berries, a dollop of whipped cream, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a more indulgent treat. For breakfast or brunch, serve it alongside a rich cup of coffee, hot chocolate, or a glass of cold milk to complement the chocolate flavors perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive occasion, slice the babka into thick pieces and arrange them artfully on a wooden board with fresh fruit, cheese, and nuts for a beautiful brunch spread. You can also cut it into cubes and serve it as part of a decadent bread pudding or French toast, breathing new life into your leftover babka.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Chocolate Babka keeps well at room temperature when wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days. This helps maintain its moistness and prevents the chocolate filling from drying out.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy this Chocolate Babka Recipe later, freeze your cooled loaf wrapped snugly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before serving to keep the texture intact.
Reheating
Warm slices gently in a toaster oven or microwave for about 15-20 seconds to revive that soft, tender crumb and melt the chocolate filling slightly, making each bite taste freshly baked and utterly irresistible.
FAQs
Can I use milk substitutes for the dough?
Absolutely! You can swap the warm milk with almond, oat, or soy milk if you prefer a dairy-free option. Just make sure it’s warmed to about 100-110°F to properly activate the yeast.
What type of chocolate works best for the filling?
High-quality dark chocolate with at least 60-70% cocoa content is ideal for the filling, as it provides a rich, intense flavor that complements the sweet dough beautifully. You can experiment with bittersweet or semisweet varieties based on your preference.
Can I make the dough in a stand mixer?
Yes, using a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment makes kneading easier and ensures a smooth, elastic dough. Mix on low speed until ingredients are combined, then increase to medium for about 7-10 minutes until the dough passes the “windowpane” test.
Is it okay to skip the second rise?
The second rise is important because it allows the dough to relax and the babka to expand fully in the pan, resulting in a lighter texture. Skipping it might give you a denser loaf, so it’s best not to skip this step.
Can I make this babka with other fillings?
Definitely! While this Chocolate Babka Recipe celebrates chocolate, feel free to try fillings like cinnamon sugar, nut spreads, or fruit preserves. The technique remains the same, so get creative with your favorite flavors.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Chocolate Babka Recipe enough — it’s a joyous blend of rich chocolate and soft, buttery dough that feels like a warm hug in bread form. Whether you’re baking it for a special occasion or a relaxing weekend treat, it’s the kind of recipe that brings smiles and lingering cravings. So grab your ingredients, have a little fun twisting that dough, and enjoy every wonderful bite!
Print
Chocolate Babka Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Chocolate Babka is a rich and tender yeast bread swirled with layers of luscious chocolate filling, making it perfect for holidays, brunch, or gifting. Its braided appearance with a gooey, chocolatey core offers a deliciously indulgent treat that pairs wonderfully with coffee or tea.
Ingredients
For Dough:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup warm milk
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon salt
For Chocolate Filling:
- 4 oz dark chocolate, melted
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
Instructions
- Prepare Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine warm milk, instant yeast, sugar, softened butter, eggs, and salt. Mix thoroughly. Gradually add the flour and knead the mixture until the dough is smooth and elastic. Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1½ hours, or until it doubles in size.
- Make Chocolate Filling: In a separate bowl, blend the melted dark chocolate, butter, sugar, and cocoa powder until smooth and well combined, creating a glossy chocolate filling.
- Shape the Babka: Roll the risen dough out on a floured surface into a large rectangle. Evenly spread the chocolate filling across the dough. Starting from one long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log shape.
- Form the Twist: Slice the rolled dough lengthwise down the center to expose the layers of chocolate inside. Carefully twist the two strands together, keeping the cut sides facing upward to reveal the swirl pattern. Place the twisted dough into a greased loaf pan.
- Second Rise: Cover the loaf pan and let the dough rise again for about 30 minutes until slightly puffy.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the babka for 30 to 35 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
- Finish: Optionally, brush the warm babka with simple syrup for a shiny, moist finish. Cool before slicing and serving.
Notes
- For an extra shiny and moist crust, brush the baked babka with a simple syrup made of equal parts sugar and water.
- If you prefer a sweeter filling, you can increase the sugar in the chocolate filling slightly.
- Make sure the milk is warm, not hot, to avoid killing the yeast during mixing.
- The babka can be stored wrapped in plastic wrap at room temperature for 2-3 days or frozen for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Jewish-Inspired, Eastern European
