Dreamy Ina Garten Chocolate Babka Recipe for Breakfast Joy

Chocolate babka weaves a spellbinding narrative of sweet, buttery decadence that transforms ordinary mornings into extraordinary culinary moments.

This enchanting bread whispers tales of comfort and indulgence with every swirling chocolate fold.

Generations of bakers have perfected its delicate dance of soft dough and rich cocoa ribbons.

Each slice promises a symphony of textures that melt effortlessly on your tongue.

Originating from Eastern European kitchens, this treat marries traditional techniques with modern baking passion.

Light, airy layers embrace intense chocolate waves, creating a sensory experience that feels both nostalgic and innovative.

You’ll fall in love with every golden-brown, chocolate-marbled bite that beckons from the baking sheet.

Let this irresistible babka become your new weekend baking obsession.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 12 hours

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Total Time: 12 hours

Calories: 415 kcal

Servings: 8

Ingredients for Ina Garten Chocolate Babka Recipe

• Yeast: Choose fresh, active dry yeast for optimal rising.
• Milk: Select whole milk for richer flavor and texture.
• Sour Cream: Look for thick, high-fat content for creamy consistency.
• Eggs: Use room temperature large eggs for even mixing.
• All-Purpose Flour: Opt for unbleached flour with high protein content.
• Granulated Sugar: Select fine, pure cane sugar.
• Salt: Use kosher or fine sea salt for balanced seasoning.
• Vanilla Extract: Choose pure vanilla for deeper flavor profile.
• Unsalted Butter: Select high-quality, European-style butter for smoothness.

• Sliced Almonds: Select fresh, lightly toasted almonds for crunch.
• Dark Rum: Choose aged rum for complex flavor notes.
• Ground Cinnamon: Use freshly ground for intense aroma.
• Orange Zest: Select organic oranges for bright, intense citrus notes.
• Almond Extract: Opt for pure, high-quality extract.
• Chocolate Chips: Select dark chocolate with high cocoa percentage.

• Additional Eggs: Use for egg wash to create golden shine.
• Streusel Topping (Optional): Combine flour, butter, and sugar for extra texture.

Tools to Bake Ina Garten Chocolate Babka Recipe

• Mixing Bowl: Large, sturdy bowl for combining ingredients smoothly.
• Electric Mixer or Whisk: Helps blend dough and create creamy texture.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements for perfect ingredients.
• Food Processor: Quick and efficient for creating smooth filling.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for mixing and scraping batter.
• Kitchen Towel: Covers dough during rising process.
• Rectangular Rolling Pin: Helps roll dough evenly.
• Loaf Pan: 9×5 inch, greased for baking babka.
• Pastry Brush: Applies egg wash for golden shine.
• Cooling Rack: Allows babka to cool without getting soggy.
• Zester: For creating fresh orange zest.
• Refrigerator: Chills dough and filling for better texture.
• Oven: Bakes babka to golden perfection.

Baking Method for Ina Garten Chocolate Babka Recipe

• Craft the Flavor Foundation

Awaken the yeast by mixing it with warm milk and creamy sour cream. Blend in eggs and gradually fold in flour, creating a silky smooth batter. Stir in sugar, salt, and vanilla to build depth of flavor. Slowly incorporate softened butter until the mixture becomes luxuriously creamy and well-combined.

• Nurture the Dough's Transformation

Drape a soft kitchen towel over the bowl and let the dough rest in a cozy, undisturbed spot. Watch it expand and become wonderfully puffy over about 90 minutes. Then tuck the dough into the refrigerator for a minimum of 3 hours, allowing flavors to develop and complexity to emerge.

• Prepare the Sensational Filling

Pulse almonds, sugar, butter, and an egg in a food processor. Add a splash of dark rum, vanilla, cinnamon, orange zest, and almond extract. Blend until the mixture becomes a tantalizing spread. Chill the filling to help it set and intensify its rich characteristics.

• Shape and Elevate the Babka

Roll the chilled dough into a generous rectangle. Spread the filling edge to edge, then generously scatter chocolate pieces across the surface. Carefully roll the dough into a tight spiral and nestle it into a prepared loaf pan. Allow it to rise and become magnificently puffy over two hours.

• Bake and Celebrate

Heat the oven to 350°F. Lovingly brush the top with beaten egg and optional streusel. Bake until the babka transforms into a deep golden masterpiece, roughly 60-70 minutes. Let it cool briefly in the pan before releasing this aromatic treasure.

Flavor Add-Ins for Ina Garten Chocolate Babka Recipe

• Elevate Your Baking Adventure: Expert techniques to transform this babka into a showstopper will make your kitchen feel like a professional bakery.
• Customize the Flavor Profile: Swap dark rum for amaretto or orange liqueur to create unique taste variations that reflect your personal culinary style.
• Master the Dough Chill: Refrigerating the dough overnight not only intensifies flavor complexity but also makes rolling and shaping significantly easier, giving you professional-level results.
• Perfect Textural Enhancements: Experiment with chocolate variations like milk, white, or dark chocolate chips, or add chopped nuts like pistachios or pecans to introduce delightful crunch and depth to your babka's interior.

Serve Ina Garten Chocolate Babka Recipe Beautifully

• Slice and Savor Warmth: Serve thick, slightly warm slices of babka with a steaming cup of coffee or rich hot chocolate for a luxurious breakfast or afternoon treat.
• Dress Up the Dessert: Top each slice with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream to add extra indulgence and creamy contrast.
• Create a Brunch Centerpiece: Arrange slices on a beautiful wooden board surrounded by fresh berries, sliced almonds, and a small dish of honey for an elegant brunch presentation that will wow your guests.
• Sweet Gift Packaging: Wrap individual slices in parchment paper tied with twine for a charming homemade gift that friends and family will absolutely adore.

Keep Ina Garten Chocolate Babka Recipe Fresh

• Meal Planning & Storage Advice
• Preserve Freshness Brilliantly: Wrap the babka tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain its moisture and prevent drying out. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• Freeze for Future Delights: Slice the babka before freezing to make thawing easier. Wrap individual pieces or the entire loaf in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Frozen babka stays delicious for 2-3 months.
• Revive Refrigerated Goodness: Bring refrigerated babka to room temperature before serving. Warm slightly in the oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes to restore its soft, tender texture and enhance the flavors.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the dough and filling up to 2 days in advance. Keep the dough and filling separately in the refrigerator, allowing you to assemble and bake fresh when ready to enjoy.

Irresistible Chocolate Babka Recipe

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4.6 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 12 hours
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s chocolate babka weaves rich chocolate swirls through tender, buttery bread dough. Delicate layers and deep chocolate flavor make this classic Jewish pastry a sophisticated breakfast or dessert treat you’ll savor with pure delight.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 ¾ cups (220 g) bread flour
• ⅓ cup (80 ml) whole milk
• ⅓ cup (45 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 whole egg
• 1 ½ tsps active dry yeast
• ¼ cup (60 ml) sour cream
• 4 tbsps (60 g) unsalted butter
• 3 tbsps (45 g) unsalted butter
• 3 tbsps (36 g) granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup (70 g) granulated sugar
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 tbsps dark rum
• ½ tsp finely grated orange zest (optional)
• ¼ tsp almond extract
• ½ cup (60 g) blanched almonds
• 6 oz (170 g) semisweet chocolate
• 6 tbsps (45 g) confectioners’ sugar
• 1 large egg, beaten

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Instructions

1. Dough Preparation: Activate yeast in warm milk, then integrate sour cream and eggs until uniformly blended, creating a smooth base for the babka.
2. Ingredient Incorporation: Gradually fold in flour, sugar, salt, and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly to develop a creamy, consistent dough texture.
3. Butter Integration: Knead softened butter into the dough until silky and completely absorbed, ensuring a rich, tender consistency.
4. First Fermentation: Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm, undisturbed space until volume doubles, approximately 90 minutes.
5. Chilling Phase: Refrigerate dough for a minimum of 3 hours or overnight to intensify flavor complexity and improve handling.
6. Filling Creation: Pulse almonds and sugar in a food processor, then combine with butter, egg, rum, vanilla, cinnamon, orange zest, and almond extract until smooth.
7. Filling Refinement: Chill filling for 1 hour to solidify and allow flavors to harmonize.
8. Dough Expansion: Roll chilled dough into a thin rectangular shape on a floured surface.
9. Flavor Layer: Distribute almond filling evenly, leaving a small margin, then scatter chopped dark chocolate across the surface.
10. Shaping Process: Tightly roll the dough into a cylinder, sealing edges carefully to maintain filling integrity.
11. Second Rise: Position rolled dough in a greased loaf pan, cover, and allow to proof for 2 hours until visibly expanded.
12. Baking Preparation: Heat oven to 350°F, brush dough with egg wash, and sprinkle streusel topping generously.
13. Baking Finale: Bake for 60-70 minutes, rotating midway, until achieving a deep golden crust that sounds hollow when tapped.
14. Cooling Method: Rest bread in pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling and optimal texture development.

Notes

• Master Yeast Activation: Ensure milk temperature is precisely between 105-115°F to activate yeast without killing it, creating a perfect rising environment for soft, fluffy babka.
• Chill for Superior Flavor: Refrigerate dough overnight to develop complex taste profiles and enhance gluten structure, resulting in a more complex and refined texture.
• Strategic Filling Distribution: Spread filling evenly, leaving small borders to prevent leakage and ensure balanced flavor in every delectable slice.
• Baking Precision Matters: Use a hollow sound test and deep golden brown color as reliable indicators of perfectly baked babka, guaranteeing optimal doneness and texture.

• Prep Time: 12 hours
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 415
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 44 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 9 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg