Chocolate Babka

also called babka · krantz cake

Three ways to read this recipe

The table

Chocolate Babka: ingredients down the left, what to do with them across. Tap any cell to cross it off.
1/3 cup(80 mL)warm whole milkstir, stand 10 minadd and knead 8 minbeat in the butter, chill overnightspread the filling, roll, twist into a 9x5-in loaf pan, proofbake 350°F 45 min, then soak with syrup
3 Tbs(40 g)granulated sugar
2 tsp(6 g)instant yeast
2 1/2 cups(300 g)all-purpose flour
2 largeeggs
3/4 tsp(5 g)table salt
1/3 cup(75 g)softened unsalted butter
4 oz(115 g)bittersweet chocolatemelt to a spreadable filling
3 Tbs(40 g)unsalted butter
2 Tbs(12 g)cocoa powder
1/4 cup(30 g)powdered sugar
1/3 cup(70 g)granulated sugarsimmer to a syrup 3 min
1/3 cup(80 mL)water
Tap anything to cross it off.

What to lay out

Everything the recipe asks for, sitting under the step that eats it. Tick each one as you measure it.14 things to get out.

Pans and tools

1stir, stand 10 min

2melt to a spreadable filling

3simmer to a syrup 3 min

4add and knead 8 min

goes in with what step 1 made

5beat in the butter, chill overnight

goes in with what step 4 made

Cooking it

Tap a step when it is done; the next one lights up.

The clock

Start to finish
at least 10 hr 33 min1 of 7 steps gives no time
Needs you
about 8 min
If you get it wrong
Forgiving — the syrup goes onto the loaf straight out of the oven, and a babka left to cool before it is soaked stays dry all the way through
  1. stir, stand 10 min

    10 minwalk away(we think)from the start

  2. melt to a spreadable filling

    not timedfrom the start

  3. simmer to a syrup 3 min

    3 minwalk away(we think)from the start

  4. add and knead 8 min

    8 minneeds you(we think)10 min in

  5. beat in the butter, chill overnight

    8 hrwalk away(we think)18 min in

  6. spread the filling, roll, twist into a 9x5-in loaf pan, proof

    1 hr 30 minwalk away(we think)8 hr 18 min in

  7. bake 350°F 45 min, then soak with syrup

    45 minwalk away(we think)9 hr 48 min in

You'll need 9x5-in loaf pan

Goes with

See how it is written
>> title: Chocolate Babka
>> category: Breads
>> tags: bread, chocolate, enriched, twisted, oven
>> counters: Bakery, Deli
>> aka: babka, krantz cake
>> servings: 10
>> time: 12 hr
>> slack: forgiving — the syrup goes onto the loaf straight out of the oven, and a babka left to cool before it is soaked stays dry all the way through

>> step: stir, stand 10 min
Stir @warm whole milk{1/3%cup}(80 mL) with @granulated sugar{3%Tbs}(40 g) and @instant yeast{2%tsp}(6 g), then let stand ~{10%min}.

>> step: add and knead 8 min
Add @all-purpose flour{2 1/2%cup}(300 g), @eggs{2%large}, and @table salt{3/4%tsp}(5 g) to @&(~1)yeast mixture{}, then knead ~{8%min}.

>> step: beat in the butter, chill overnight
Beat @softened unsalted butter{1/3%cup}(75 g) into @&(~1)dough{}, then chill ~{8%hours}.

>> step: melt to a spreadable filling
Melt @bittersweet chocolate{4%oz}(115 g) with @unsalted butter{3%Tbs}(40 g), @cocoa powder{2%Tbs}(12 g), and @powdered sugar{1/4%cup}(30 g).

>> step: spread the filling, roll, twist into a 9x5-in loaf pan, proof
Spread @&(~1)filling{} over @&(~2)dough{} rolled to 14x10 in, then roll, twist into a #9x5-in loaf pan{}, and proof ~{1 1/2%hours}.

Simmer @granulated sugar{1/3%cup}(70 g), @water{1/3%cup}(80 mL) to a syrup, ~{3%min}.

>> step: bake 350°F 45 min, then soak with syrup
Bake @&(~2)babka{} at 350°F for ~{45%min}, then soak with @&(~1)sugar syrup{}.