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Ina Garten Chocolate Babka Recipe

Ina Garten Chocolate Babka

Chocolate Babka is a sweet, braided yeast bread filled with layers of rich chocolate and often topped with streusel. Ina Garten’s version combines a soft, buttery dough with a gooey chocolate filling and a crumbly topping, making it an irresistible treat.

Ingredients

For the dough:

  • All-purpose flour: 4 cups.
  • Granulated sugar: 1/4 cup.
  • Instant yeast: 2 teaspoons.
  • Salt: 1 teaspoon.
  • Whole milk: 3/4 cup, warmed.
  • Unsalted butter: 1/2 cup, softened.
  • Eggs: 2 large.

For the chocolate filling:

  • Semisweet chocolate: 8 ounces, finely chopped.
  • Unsalted butter: 1/4 cup, melted.
  • Cocoa powder: 1/4 cup.
  • Powdered sugar: 1/4 cup.

For the streusel topping:

  • All-purpose flour: 1/4 cup.
  • Brown sugar: 1/4 cup, packed.
  • Unsalted butter: 2 tablespoons, cold and cubed.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the dough

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.
  • Add the warmed milk, softened butter, and eggs. Mix until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  • Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise for 1–2 hours, or until doubled in size.

Step 2: Make the chocolate filling

  • In a medium bowl, combine the chopped chocolate, melted butter, cocoa powder, and powdered sugar. Stir until smooth and spreadable.

Step 3: Prepare the streusel topping

  • In a small bowl, mix the flour and brown sugar. Add the cold butter and use your fingers to form a crumbly mixture.

Step 4: Assemble the babka

  • Punch down the dough and divide it in half. Roll one portion into a rectangle about 10×12 inches.
  • Spread half of the chocolate filling evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border. Roll the dough tightly into a log, then slice it lengthwise down the middle. Twist the two halves together and place in a greased loaf pan. Repeat with the second portion of dough.

Step 5: Let the babka rise

  • Cover the loaf pans with a damp cloth and let rise for 1 hour, or until puffy.

Step 6: Bake the babka

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the loaves. Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.

Step 7: Cool and serve

  • Let the babka cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Slice and serve warm or at room temperature.