Cinnamon Babka Swirl

Crumble
Apr 7, 2018
3 min read

For those of you who are unfamiliar with babka, it's a delicious, sweet, yeast dessert bread, typically made with swirling layers or chocolate or cinnamon filling. Babka, is translated to grandmother and is often known to be one of the best Jewish desserts. It can be found in Jewish bakeries or it can be made right in your own kitchen. I find babka to be one of the most fun breads to make because it requires skill and creativity. Most often, babka comes in a large loaf like shape, however, I decided to try something new. It turns out, my babka is one giant, gooey, doughy, sugary cinnamon roll, that can be shared by the whole family! If you're looking for a weekend breakfast for the family, or the perfect evening treat, I highly suggest this babka cinnamon swirl!

Warning: Babka is highly addicitve...so be careful not to eat it all at once!

Ingredients:

Dough:

-1 package active/instant yeast (2 1/4 teaspoon)

-1 cup warm water (80-100 F degrees)

-1/2 cup granulated sugar

-3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

-2 large eggs

-1 teaspoon salt

-4 1/4- 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Filling:

-3/4 cup brown sugar, packed (light or dark)

-2 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

- 5-6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

-1 teaspoon honey

-1/4 cup raisins

-1/4 cup dried cranberries

Icing:

-2 cups powdered sugar

-1 egg white

-1/4 teaspoon almond extract

-3-4 tablespoons water

Directions: Yield 1 large babka (8-10 servings)

Step 1: Make the dough

-In a mixing bowl, stir together 1/4 cup of warm water and the package of yeast

-Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon of sugar on top, and let sit 5-10 minutes, until it begins to bubble and thicken

-Using the beater attachment on a mixer, turn mixer on low and add in the remaining water, sugar, eggs, butter, and salt

-Slowly add in flour, until dough begins to thicken

-Once dough begins to thicken, replace the beater attachment with a dough hook and continue to add flour until the dough is completely mixed and it beings to come together in the center of the bowl

*Dough will be slightly sticky

-Turn dough onto floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, adding in flour when needed (5-8 minutes)

*Dough will still be slightly sticky on the outside after kneading

-Coat the inside of a large bowl with canola or vegetable oil and place the dough inside, turning it to cover with oil

-Cover bowl with plastic wrap or a tea towel and let rise until it is doubled in size (1 1/2 - 2 hours)

Step 2: Filling the dough