CHOCOLATE BABKA

Seinfeld may have made babka famous, but my good friend, Henna, has the market cornered on making it totally and completely delicious! The first time I met Henna, I was on my way to Israel with a group of 80 women. We were sitting in JFK airport waiting for our airplane and there is Henna.  To my total and utter delight, she whips out SIX, yes six, loafs of freshly baked babka – there was chocolate babka, cinnamon babka, Nutella babka – and I tried them all.

Let me tell you, they were mouth-watering delicious…. right then and there, I knew Henna and I were going to be very, very good friends!  Well today I was incredibly fortunate to have Henna come over and give me a one-on-one private babka making lesson!{whisper voice…don’t worry about all of the steps, it really is easy…if I can do it, anyone can!}

This recipe make 3 – 4 babkas in either loaf or bundt pan. I have listed 3 types of filling – pick one of your favorite, but be sure to try all three at some point – one is better than the next! Grab a hot cup of coffee and enjoy!

DOUGH INGREDIENTS (SEE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW FOR MAKING THE DOUGH)

• 7 – 8 cups flour
• 6 packets (or 4 1/2 tablespoons) yeast
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 3/4 cups warm water
• 1 1/2 cups margarine (3 sticks), melted
• 2 eggs
• 2 egg yolks
• 2 tsp salt

STREUSEL CRUMB TOPPING INGREDIENTS & INSTRUCTIONS

• 1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) margarine
• 1 cup flour
• 3/4 cup sugar
• In a small bowl melt 1/2 stick of margarine (4 tablespoons)
• Add flour and sugar and mix together until combined
• Use your hands to crumble the mixture (see picture)
• Set aside for later!

OPTION 1 – CHOCOLATE FILLING INGREDIENTS & INSTRUCTIONS

• 1 cup/2 sticks margarine, melted
• 1 box instant chocolate pudding
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup cocoa
• 2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• Melt 2 sticks of margarine
• Add pudding mix, sugar, cocoa, water and egg
• Mix all together with a spoon
• Set aside for later!

OPTION 2 – CINNAMON SUGAR FILLING

• 1 cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons cinnamon
• 4 tablespoons/ 1/2 stick butter, melted
• Mix sugar and cinnamon together
• Set aside for later! (you will need 1/2 stick melted butter to lightly brush over the dough for the cinnamon sugar to stick)

OPTION 3 – NUTELLA FILLING

• Soften Nutella in microwave for approximately 20 seconds
• Wait to do this until right before you use the filling below

BOBKA INSTRUCTIONS

1. Place yeast and sugar in bowl and give it a little shake to combine
2. Add warm water to bowl and cover with a clean kitchen towel
3. Let sit for 5 minutes while the yeast is activating
4. Melt margarine in microwave
5. ..........................................

for full recipes please see : princesspinkygirl.com

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