Table of Contents
Why Make This Recipe
Babka is a delightful sweet bread that brings warmth and joy to any holiday table. This Irresistible Christmas Babka is not only delicious but also visually stunning. It combines rich flavors and creates a beautiful centerpiece for your festive celebrations. With a swirl of dried cranberries and a warm Christmas spice mix, each bite is a reminder of holiday cheer. Making Babka from scratch is a wonderful way to spend time with family and friends, sharing a delicious treat that everyone will love.
How to Make Irresistible Christmas Babka
Ingredients
- 4 large Eggs (or egg substitute)
- 250 ml Milk (or plant-based milk)
- 100 g Caster Sugar (or granulated sugar)
- 50 g Honey (or maple syrup)
- 500 g Strong Flour (or all-purpose flour)
- 25 g Fresh Yeast (or instant yeast)
- 10 g Salt
- 100 g Butter (melted or dairy-free butter)
- 50 g Unsalted Butter (or dairy-free butter)
- 75 g Light Brown Sugar (or brown sugar/coconut sugar)
- 2 tbsp Christmas Spice Mix (or cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg)
- 150 g Dried Cranberries (or raisins/dried cherries)
- 100 ml Water
- 100 g Caster Sugar
Directions
Prepare the Dough: In a bowl, mix warm milk, yeast, and a tablespoon of sugar. Let it sit for about 10 minutes until bubbly. In another large bowl, combine flour, remaining sugar, salt, and the Christmas spice mix.
Combine Ingredients: Create a well in the dry ingredients. Add the eggs, honey, melted butter, and the yeast mixture. Mix until dough forms.
Knead the Dough: Lightly flour a clean surface and knead the dough for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Put the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place for about an hour, or until it doubles in size.
Prepare the Filling: In a bowl, mix dried cranberries, light brown sugar, and the remaining melted butter. This will be your filling.
Shape the Babka: After the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out into a rectangle on a lightly floured surface. Spread the filling evenly over the dough. Roll the dough tightly into a log.
Twist and Braid: Cut the rolled dough in half lengthwise and twist the two pieces together. Gently place it in a greased loaf pan.
Second Rise: Cover the pan with a clean towel and let the twisted dough rise for another 30 minutes.
Bake: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Bake the Babka for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.
Prepare Syrup: While the Babka bakes, mix water and caster sugar in a small pot. Bring it to a boil and let it simmer for 3-5 minutes until syrupy.
Glaze the Babka: Once the Babka is out of the oven, brush the syrup over it while it’s still warm. Let it cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring it to a wire rack.
How to Serve Irresistible Christmas Babka
Slice the Babka into thick pieces and serve it warm or at room temperature. It’s perfect on its own or with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate. You can sprinkle some powdered sugar on top for an extra festive touch. It’s also great for breakfast or as a sweet treat after a holiday meal.
How to Store Irresistible Christmas Babka
Wrap the leftover Babka tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Store it at room temperature for up to three days. You can also freeze it by tightly wrapping individual slices. This way, you can enjoy it later by simply thawing and warming in the oven.
Tips to Make Irresistible Christmas Babka
- Make sure not to skip the second rise; it helps create a light and airy texture.
- Use room temperature ingredients for better mixing.
- Experiment with different fillings such as chocolate or nuts to create new flavors.
Variation
You can customize your Babka by using different dried fruits, such as raisins or cherries, or by adding chopped nuts for a crunchy texture. Each variation offers a unique take on this festive bread!
FAQs
1. Can I make Babka ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough a day in advance. After the first rise, refrigerate the dough overnight and let it come to room temperature before shaping and baking.
2. Can I use a bread machine to make the dough?
Yes, you can follow the machine instructions for a sweet dough setting. Just make sure to shape and bake it as instructed afterward.
3. Is it necessary to use fresh yeast?
No, you can use instant yeast as a substitute. Just mix it directly with the dry ingredients and follow the recipe as instructed. Fresh yeast gives a slightly different flavor, but instant yeast works perfectly well.
Christmas Babka
Ingredients
Method
- In a bowl, mix warm milk, yeast, and a tablespoon of sugar. Let it sit for about 10 minutes until bubbly.
- In another large bowl, combine flour, remaining sugar, salt, and the Christmas spice mix.
- Create a well in the dry ingredients. Add the eggs, honey, melted butter, and the yeast mixture. Mix until dough forms.
- Lightly flour a clean surface and knead the dough for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Put the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place for about an hour, or until it doubles in size.
- In a bowl, mix dried cranberries, light brown sugar, and the remaining melted butter to create the filling.
- After the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out into a rectangle on a lightly floured surface.
- Spread the filling evenly over the dough and roll the dough tightly into a log.
- Cut the rolled dough in half lengthwise and twist the two pieces together.
- Gently place it in a greased loaf pan.
- Cover the pan with a clean towel and let the twisted dough rise for another 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and bake the Babka for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.
- While the Babka bakes, mix water and caster sugar in a small pot. Bring it to a boil and let it simmer for 3-5 minutes until syrupy.
- Once the Babka is out of the oven, brush the syrup over it while it’s still warm.
- Let it cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring it to a wire rack.