Ingredients
Dough
- 3 cups all-purpose flour 360 g, plus more as needed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar 50 g
- 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast one 7 g packet
- 3/4 cup whole milk 180 ml, warm but not hot
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon fine salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter 113 g, softened
Chocolate filling
- 6 ounces dark chocolate 170 g, finely chopped
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter 57 g
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder 21 g
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar 50 g
Equipment
- 1 9 x 5-inch loaf pan
- 1 Rolling Pin
- 1 stand mixer with dough hook optional
Instructions
Method
- Combine the flour, sugar, yeast, warm milk, egg, vanilla, and salt. Knead until a rough dough forms, then work in the softened butter a tablespoon at a time.
- Knead for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 60 to 90 minutes, until noticeably puffy and close to doubled.
- Melt the chocolate and butter gently. Stir in the cocoa and sugar, then cool until spreadable rather than runny.
- Roll the dough into a roughly 12 x 16-inch rectangle. Spread with filling, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Roll from a long side into a log, chill 10 minutes if soft, then split lengthwise and twist the two strands with cut sides facing up.
- Place the twist in a greased 9 x 5-inch loaf pan. Cover and rise 35 to 50 minutes, until puffy but not spilling over the rim.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 35 to 45 minutes, tenting loosely if the top darkens early. The center should reach about 190°F (88°C). Cool 15 minutes in the pan, then cool completely on a rack before slicing.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 slice (1/12 batch)Calories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 6gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 210mgFiber: 3gSugar: 18g
Video
Video: Preppy Kitchen demonstrates enriched yeast dough, chocolate filling, and the split-and-twist babka shape. His two-loaf version uses overnight chilling, cream in the filling, and a syrup finish; follow the recipe above for this single loaf and its rise times.
Notes
- Use a scale for the flour and chocolate when possible; it gives the swirl a more predictable texture.
- If the filling leaks during shaping, chill the log for 10 minutes before cutting.
- This loaf contains wheat, milk, and egg. Nutrition is an estimate per slice calculated from the listed ingredients.
