Are you craving a decadent, delicious treat but short on time? This Bread Machine Babka recipe is the perfect solution! Forget hours of kneading and shaping; your trusty bread machine does the heavy lifting, leaving you with a stunning, swirl-filled pastry that's surprisingly easy to make. This recipe is perfect for both beginner bakers and those looking for a quick and impressive dessert or breakfast item. Get ready to enjoy the rich, sweet flavor of this homemade babka, a truly delightful addition to your homemade cooking repertoire.
Ingredients:
For the Dough:
- 1 cup warm water (105-115°F)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 3 ½ - 4 cups all-purpose flour
For the Filling:
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Instructions:
Making the Dough:
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Activate the Yeast: In the warm water, dissolve the yeast and let it stand for 5-10 minutes until foamy. This ensures your yeast is active and will produce a light and airy dough.
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Combine Ingredients: Add the egg, sugar, salt, and softened butter to the yeast mixture. Stir to combine.
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Bread Machine Time: Add 3 ½ cups of flour to the bread machine pan. Pour the wet ingredients over the flour. Select the dough cycle on your bread machine.
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Add Remaining Flour (If Needed): Your bread machine might need more or less flour depending on the brand and humidity. If the dough is too sticky during the kneading cycle, add more flour, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough is smooth and elastic.
Preparing the Filling:
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Cream Butter and Sugar: While the dough is kneading, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a medium bowl until light and fluffy.
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Add Nuts (Optional): Stir in the chopped walnuts or pecans, if using.
Assembling and Baking the Babka:
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Shape the Dough: Once the dough cycle is complete, gently punch down the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface.
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Roll it Out: Roll the dough into a large rectangle, approximately 12x18 inches.
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Spread the Filling: Spread the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the dough.
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Roll and Slice: Tightly roll the dough up from the long side, like a jelly roll. Using a sharp knife, cut the roll in half lengthwise.
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Twist and Place: Gently twist the two halves of the dough together and place them into a greased 9x5 inch loaf pan.
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Second Rise: Cover the pan and let the babka rise in a warm place for about 30-45 minutes, or until doubled in size.
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Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the babka for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Serving and Enjoying Your Babka:
Let the babka cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and serve. Enjoy warm with a cup of coffee or tea, or as a delicious breakfast treat!
Cooking Tips and Variations:
- For a richer flavor, use browned butter in the filling.
- Add chocolate chips, raisins, or other dried fruits to the filling.
- Experiment with different spices, such as cardamom or nutmeg.
- If you don't have a bread machine, you can make this babka using a stand mixer or by hand. Just follow the same steps, but knead the dough for 8-10 minutes until it's smooth and elastic.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
Calories: Around 300-350 Fat: Around 15-20g Carbohydrates: Around 40-45g Protein: Around 5-7g
Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on the ingredients used.
This easy bread machine babka recipe is a delightful addition to your collection of quick dinner ideas and healthy meals. The homemade cooking process is straightforward, yielding a delicious dish perfect for any occasion. Enjoy!