Babka I Recipe
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Babka I

By: JJOHN32 
"Traditional Polish Easter bread. Serve as a coffee cake for breakfast or with tea."

 

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Original Recipe Yield 3 - 8 inch babkas
 

Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 cups margarine, softened
  • 2 cups milk
  • 2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast
  • 1/2 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
  • 5 eggs
  • 4 egg yolks
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon orange liqueur (optional)
  • 3 tablespoons grated orange zest
  • 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
  • 10 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups dried currants
  • 1 1/2 cups raisins
  • 1 1/2 cups golden raisins
  • 1 cup chopped blanched slivered almonds
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour

Directions

  1. Place yeast in a small bowl, and pour warm water over it. Stir with a spoon to break up the yeast. Set aside for 2 to 3 minutes.
  2. In a small saucepan, scald milk. Add 1 cup butter or margarine, and stir until melted. Remove from heat, and let cool until lukewarm.
  3. In a mixing bowl, beat 4 eggs and egg yolks with an electric mixer with a paddle attachment. Add sugar and salt, and continue to beat until mixture is thick and pale. Add vanilla, orange-flavored liqueur, zests, and yeast mixture. Combine. Beat in 4 cups flour gradually. Add milk mixture alternately with remaining 4 cups flour while beating on medium speed. Add up to an additional 1 cup flour if the dough is sticky. Mix in currants, raisins, golden raisins, and almonds.
  4. Transfer dough to a clean large bowl. Knead using a large wooden spoon until the dough pulls away and doesn't stick to the spoon, about 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer dough to a large buttered bowl, and turn to coat. Cover with plastic wrap. Place in a warm place until dough reaches the top of the bowl, about 1 to 2 hours. Punch the dough down, re-cover the bowl, and allow to rise again.
  5. Butter 3 angel food cake pans. In a small bowl, combine 1 cup flour, 4 tablespoons butter or margarine, brown sugar, and cinnamon to form crumb topping. Sprinkle evenly among the 3 pans.
  6. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  7. Punch the dough down again. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 1 minute. Cut into thirds, and transfer dough to prepared pans. Cover loosely with plastic wrap. Allow to rise to the top of pan. Beat remaining egg, and brush the top of the dough.
  8. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) until golden brown and hollow sounding when tapped, about 30 to 45 minutes. Immediately turn out onto a cooling rack so bread does not stick to the pan. Cool.

Nutritional Information open nutritional information

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 326 | Total Fat: 9.8g | Cholesterol: 53mg Powered by ESHA Nutrient Database

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The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.7 star rating.
Reviewed on Feb. 21, 2005 by JODEEINITALY   view full review
This has become an Easter tradition for me and everytime a guest has some, they beg for a loaf...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.7 star rating.
Reviewed on Jul. 29, 2004 by MACKALLEN   view full review
Eleanor, I knew with your anadama bread that you were some kind of bread genius, but this...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.7 star rating.
Reviewed on Apr. 6, 2007 by Stephanie   view full review
Delicious! My husband is polish and I make this every Easter to give to his family! I bake...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.7 star rating.
Reviewed on Mar. 22, 2008 by Flourgirl   view full review
This recipe is fantastic. You can't buy it this good from a bakery. I made a large bread in...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.7 star rating.
Reviewed on Apr. 6, 2010 by RachelleJ   view full review
Awesome recipe--wonderful! My grandmother's recipe was so dry, and this was not at all. I...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.7 star rating.
Reviewed on Jan. 6, 2009 by Marieclaire0924   view full review
Very good! Reminded me of the ones I used to have with my family! I will definitely make this...
The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 4.7 star rating.
Reviewed on Apr. 20, 2006 by SHINYHAPPYRAYS   view full review
Really tasty Babka! It was the best when it was still warm ... and with some butter spread on...
The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 4.7 star rating.
Reviewed on Apr. 24, 2011 by nicolekrystyn   view full review
I used butter and rum soaked raisins and it turned out very tasty! I also only did half the...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.7 star rating.
Reviewed on Jun. 4, 2008 by helenar   view full review
I followed the recipe exactly. It was worth the effort because it was delicious. Thank you...

 

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