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    Home » All Recipes » Vegetarian

    Chocolate Babka Recipe

    February 11, 2022 by RichandDelish Leave a Comment

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    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This chocolate babka is made by making a decedent brioche-like bread and filling it with rich chocolate filling made with dark chocolate, butter, powder sugar, and cocoa powder, topped with a simple sugar syrup that brings all the flavors together.

    Chocolate babka loaf with a slice on the side.

    If you like making cupcakes as much as we do, you should check out our easy chocolate cupcakes, carrot cake cupcakes, red velvet cupcakes, and our strawberry filled cupcakes.

    Jump to:
    • What is babka?
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Expert tips:
    • Faq's
    • Freezing
    • Chocolate Babka

    What is babka?

    Babka is a sweet braided bread usually made from brioche-like dough, filled with different fillings. Babka is extremely popular in Israel and the Jewish communities and has now become popular all over the world!

    Babka first originated in the Jewish communities in Poland and Ukraine. The most popular babka fillings are chocolate, cinnamon, cheeses, and fruits.

    Ingredients

    For the dough:

    All-purpose flour- we used all-purpose flour for this recipe, bread flour can work great as well!

    Granulated sugar– we like to use granulated sugar, also the most common sugar used in baking. Caster sugar will work great as well.

    Yeast- we used instant yeast for this recipe. make sure that your yeast isn’t expired. Instant yeast doesn't require the activation step, you can mix it into the dough right away.

    Eggs- make sure your eggs are at room temperature. Use large eggs.

    Milk- use whole milk for this recipe to make the dough extra rich.

    Kosher salt- for flavor.

    Butter- use room temperature butter. We used unsalted butter for this recipe.

    For the chocolate filling:

    Chocolate- use the best quality semisweet or dark chocolate bars for the best flavor. using the best quality dark chocolate is very important in this recipe.

    Butter- you will need 120 grams of butter. Use unsalted butter

    Powder sugar- for sweetness, caster sugar can work as well.

    Cocoa powder- we like to use Dutch cocoa powder. Dutch cocoa powder has a stronger chocolate flavor. Regular cocoa powder will work amazing as well.

    For the sugar syrup:

    Granulated sugar– we like to use granulated sugar, also the most common sugar used in baking. Caster sugar will work great as well.

    Water- to melt the sugar.

    Overhead shot of chocolate babka in a loaf pan.

    Instructions

    Step 1: In a stand mixer bowl, add the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, yeast. Mix well with a spoon or a whisk. Add the butter (cut into cubes), the eggs, and the milk. Attach the dough hook to the stand mixer and mix on low to medium speed until the dough forms into a ball.

    Step2: Add the salt and mix for another 5-8 minutes on medium-high speed or until the dough is smooth and has pulled away from the sides of the bowl.

    Step 3: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours or until doubled in size.

    Step 4: Make the chocolate filling: into a medium-sized bowl, add the dark chocolate, butter, powder sugar, and cocoa powder.

    Step 5: Place the bowl in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until the chocolate and the butter are melted. Mix with a spoon until the mixture is smooth and creamy.

    Step 6: Transfer the dough onto a clean lightly floured surface and cut it in half. (this recipe makes 2 loaves) Roll the dough with a rolling pin into a rectangle shape.

    Step 7: Take half of the chocolate filling mixture and spread an even layer on the dough. Gently roll out the dough just like you would do with a cinnamon roll.

    Step 8: Place the dough roll into the freezer for 15 minutes. (optional, but makes it so much easier to cut the dough.)

    Step 9: With a sharp knife, cut the dough roll lengthwise into half. With the cut side facing up, starting at the top, pinch both ends together. Gently braid the dough placing the right side over the left side, repeating this process until a braid forms.

    Step 10: Prep a baking loaf pan with parchment paper, then gently place the dough braid into the loaf pan and cover with a towel, letting the dough rise for the last time for 30-50 minutes in a warm place or until doubled in size.

    Step 11: Bake in a 180c (350f) preheated oven for 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown.

    Loaf of chocolate babka on a white backround.

    Make the sugar syrup:

    Add the sugar and water to a small saucepan and cook on medium heat and bring the sugar and water to a boil. When the sugar syrup dissolves completely, remove the pan from the heat and let it cool completely.

    Take the babka loaf out of the oven and brush immediately with the sugar syrup. Let the loaf cool for 10-15 minutes, slice, and serve warm!

    Expert tips:

    • Use room temperature ingredients. It is important that you use room-temperature ingredients like eggs and butter. This step ensures that your dough mixes into a homogenous mixture and bakes perfectly.
    • Cover the entire babka loaf with sugar syrup, it prevents the loaf from drying out and gives it a delicious flavor and texture, so don’t skip this step!
    • Use your best quality dark chocolate for the chocolate filling.
    • Freeze the loaf for 15 minutes before cutting into it, it makes cutting the dough way easier, cleaner, and smoother.
    • Before you start to make this recipe, measure and prepare your ingredients so the cooking process will go smoothly and easily.
    • Measure your flour correctly! When measuring your flour, avoid scooping it with a measuring cup. Instead, stir the flour with a spoon to create as many air pockets as possible, and spoon it into your measuring cup. Finally, level it with a back of a knife.
    Babka loaf sliced on a white plate.

    Faq's

    What does babka taste like?

    Babka tastes like a rich brioche bread that is filled with different kinds of fillings, like chocolate, cinnamon, jam, fruit, etc.

    How to keep the babka from drying out?

    To keep the chocolate babka from drying out, cover the entire chocolate babka loaf with sugar syrup, it prevents the loaf from drying out and gives it a delicious flavor and texture, so don’t skip this step!

    Is babka a brioche?

    Babka isn’t a brioche, it's pretty similar, but it's slightly richer than a brioche bread, and filled with different fillings.

    How long does this babka last?

    Babka can stay fresh at room temperature for 3-4 days. Store the babka in an airtight container so it won't dry out.

    Can I replace the chocolate filling with Nutella?

    Yes! An easier way to make babka is using your favorite chocolate spread like Nutella, etc.

    Freezing

    There are two options to freeze babka, first option is to make the recipe from start to finish and let the babka cool completely, then wrap the babka with at least two layers of plastic wrap, and place it in the freezer and freeze up to 3 months.

    When ready to thaw, remove the babka from the freezer and thaw it in the fridge overnight, or at room temperature for a few hours. Then remove the plastic wrap and place the babka in a 180c (350f) preheated oven for 5-8 minutes or until the top is slightly crispy. Then you can top the babka with sugar syrup.

    Another way to freeze the babka is to freeze it right before baking the loaf. Cover the dough roll with plastic wrap or place it in a freezer-friendly air-tight container for up to 3 months.

    When ready to thaw and bake, remove the babka from the freezer and thaw it in the fridge overnight, or at room temperature for a few hours.

    Remove the plastic wrap and bake the babka in a 180f (350f) preheated oven for about 30-40 minutes or until the top is golden brown, then immediately brush the babka with sugar syrup, let it cool for 10 minutes, and serve warm!

    More chocolate recipes:

    Small chocolate cake- This small chocolate cake is perfect when you're craving a chocolate cake but don't want to make a big chocolate cake. We made this chocolate cake in an 8x8 inch baking pan.

    Triple chocolate brownie mousse cake- This triple chocolate brownie mousse cake is made with a brownie bottom, topped with a creamy eggless chocolate mousse, and topped with silky chocolate ganache.

    Double chocolate banana bread- This double chocolate banana bread is filled and topped with chocolate chips, extra moist, and melt in your mouth delicious.

    Best ever chocolate cake- This decadent chocolate cake is made by making two simple cake layers with the easiest and most chocolaty chocolate frosting. This chocolate cake is a moist, fluffy, and rich chocolate cake that is not too sweet.

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    • Share/pin this recipe to Pinterest.
    • Leave a comment down below!

    Chocolate Babka

    Rich and delish
    This is the best chocolate babka recipe and the only recipe you would ever need! This recipe is made by making a decedent brioche-like bread and filling it with rich chocolate filling made with dark chocolate, butter, powder sugar, and cocoa powder, topped with a simple sugar syrup that brings all the flavors together.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 40 mins
    Rise time 2 hrs
    Total Time 2 hrs 55 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine Jewish
    Servings 20 slices
    Calories 280 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    For the dough:

    • 500 g Flour
    • ½ cup Granulated sugar
    • 1 ½ tablespoon Dried yeast
    • 1 Eggs
    • ½ cup Milk
    • ¾ teaspoon Kosher salt
    • 150 g Butter

    For the filling:

    • 200 g Dark chocolate
    • 120 g Butter
    • ¾ cup Powder sugar
    • ½ cup Cocoa powder

    Instructions
     

    • In a stand mixer bowl, add the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, yeast. Mix well with a spoon or a whisk.
    • Add the butter (cut into cubes), the eggs, and the milk. Attach the dough hook to the stand mixer and mix on low to medium speed until the dough forms into a ball. Add the salt and mix for another 5-8 minutes on medium-high speed or until the dough is smooth and has pulled away from the sides of the bowl.
    • Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours or until doubled in size.
    • Meanwhile make the chocolate filling: into a medium-sized bowl, add the dark chocolate, butter, powder sugar, and cocoa powder.
    • Place the bowl in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until the chocolate and the butter are melted. Mix with a spoon until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
    • Transfer the dough onto a clean lightly floured surface and cut it in half. (this recipe makes 2 chocolate babka) Roll the dough with a rolling pin into a rectangle shape.
    • Take half of the chocolate filling mixture and spread an even layer on the dough. Gently roll out the dough just like you would do with a cinnamon roll.
    • Place the dough roll into the freezer for 15 minutes. (optional, but makes it so much easier to cut the dough.)
    • With a sharp knife, cut the dough roll lengthwise into half. With the cut side facing up, starting at the top, pinch both ends together. Gently braid the dough placing the right side over the left side, repeating this process until a braid forms.
    • Prep a baking loaf pan with parchment paper, then gently place the dough braid into the loaf pan and cover with a towel, letting the dough rise for the last time for 30-50 minutes in a warm place or until doubled in size. Bake in a 180c (350f) preheated oven for 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
    • Make the sugar syrup: add the sugar and water to a small saucepan and cook on medium heat and bring the sugar and water to a boil. When the sugar syrup dissolves completely, remove the pan from the heat and let it cool completely.
    • Take the chocolate babka loaf out of the oven and brush immediately with the sugar syrup. Let the chocolate babka cool for 10-15 minutes, slice, and serve warm!

    Notes

    Use room temperature ingredients. It is important that you use room-temperature ingredients like eggs and butter. This step ensures that your dough mixes into a homogenous mixture and bakes perfectly.
    Cover the entire babka loaf with sugar syrup, it prevents the loaf from drying out and gives it a delicious flavor and texture, so don’t skip this step!
    Use your best quality dark chocolate for the chocolate filling.
    Freeze the loaf for 15 minutes before cutting into it, it makes cutting the dough way easier, cleaner, and smoother.
    Before you start to make this recipe, measure and prepare your ingredients so the cooking process will go smoothly and easily.
    Measure your flour correctly! When measuring your flour, avoid scooping it with a measuring cup. Instead, stir the flour with a spoon to create as many air pockets as possible, and spoon it into your measuring cup. Finally, level it with a back of a knife.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 280kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 4gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 38mgSodium: 183mgPotassium: 149mgFiber: 3gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 363IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 26mgIron: 3mg
    Keyword chocolate babka
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