This Homemade Cinnamon Babka Recipe is a sweet, buttery yeast bread with a delicious cinnamon swirl! Making babka from scratch is extra delicious! Perfect for a holiday breakfast, or even just a weekend when you’re feeling extra domestic. Slather it with butter and you will be in LOVE!
This Fluffy Homemade Babka Recipe Is the BEST!
Tired of whipping together batches of banana bread and zucchini bread? If you are, consider adding in more chocolate chips – that always renews my interest. But hold off on that for the moment, because you’re going to want to give this Cinnamon Babka Recipe a try.
Cinnamon babka is so fluffy and tender, and the cinnamon-sugar combination is such a treat for the tastebuds. It’s really fun to make too! How many other bread recipes call for twisting the dough together?
Also, can you think of a better indulgent breakfast? This babka is everything you love about cinnamon rolls, but with considerably less mess. Just slice yourself a piece, and be on your way!
What is Babka?
Babka originated in the Jewish communities of Poland and Ukraine – it’s essentially a braided bread that has become sweeter and sweeter over time. The first versions were made with challah dough, that was then twisted up and filled with jam, and baked. Now these dough twists can be packed with anything from cinnamon to chocolate – and don’t forget the sugar syrup either!
What You’ll Need For This Babka Recipe:
What goes into making cinnamon babka? Quite a bit, actually; these are the ingredients you’ll need to round up in order to get started:
For the Dough
- Flour: This recipe uses all-purpose flour – I needed about 4 cups, but you may need a little less or a little more depending on how the dough shapes up while you’re mixing it.
- Salt: Kosher salt balances/enhances the sweetness of the bread.
- Sugar: I used granulated sugar, but you can substitute in brown sugar instead if you want to.
- Instant Yeast: Any brand of Instant Yeast will work.
- Milk: Let it come to room temperature before adding it to the dough.
- Vanilla Extract: For extra sweet flavor.
- Eggs and an Egg Yolk: Let these come to room temperature also.
- Butter: Once again, make sure it’s room temperature.
For the Filling
- Butter: This time you’ll need to melt it.
- Cinnamon: Obviously you need some ground cinnamon for Cinnamon Babka!
- Sugar
- Kosher Salt
For the Sugar Syrup
How to Make Homemade Babka (With A Cinnamon Swirl!)
Making cinnamon babka may seem like a daunting process, but this step-by-step guide is here to assist! Here’s what you’ll need to do, starting with the formation of the dough:
Form the Dough: In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the hook attachment mix 3 1/2 cups flour, salt, granulated sugar, and yeast, until combined. Turn the mixer to low and add in the milk, vanilla, and eggs one at a time until mostly combined.
Add in the Butter: One tablespoon at a time until incorporated. Turn the mixer up to medium speed and mix for 10 minutes. Add in more flour as needed until it becomes soft, smooth, and elastic. I generally add in 4 cups total.
Let Dough Rise: Coat a large bowl in nonstick spray or oil and place the dough into the bowl, cover, and allow to rise for 1 hour in a warm, draft-free place.
Make the Filling: In a medium bowl combine the butter, cinnamon, sugar, and salt. Set aside.
Prepare the Sugar Syrup: In a small saucepan combine the water and sugar. Bring to a boil and boil for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
Assembly: Coat 2 8×4- inch loaf pans with nonstick spray. Line the pans with parchment paper, allowing the paper to overhang the ends for easy removal.
Split Dough in Half: When the dough has risen, divide it in half. Working with one half at a time, roll out on a lightly floured surface into a 10×12- inch rectangle. Spread half of the filling onto the dough. Roll up the dough tightly from the 10- inch side into a log.
Slice the Dough: Cut the dough lengthwise down the middle, so the filling is exposed. Twist each half. Then twist the two halves together like a rope. Place the twisted dough into one of the prepared pans. Repeat this process with the remaining dough. Cover the pans and allow to rise for 30 minutes in a warm, draft-free place.
Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake the loaves for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and drizzle the sugar syrup evenly on each loaf, using all the syrup. Place back in the oven and bake for an additional 15 – 20 minutes until golden brown. To ensure the bread is baked it will reach an internal temperature of 190°F.
Let Cool: Place a wire cooling rack on a baking sheet and remove the bread from the pans using the parchment paper, transferring them to the wire rack to cool. Sugar syrup will drip from the bottom of the bread as it cools.
Tips for Success
That was a lot of steps, I know, but the results are so worth your effort. Here are some extra tips to help you iron out the process:
- Let Babka Cool Before Slicing: This will cut down on crumbs and ensure that the cinnamon filling stays in the bread.
- Working with the Dough: If the ends of the dough halves are not sticking together in the twist, try adding a little bit of water to them. Also, before you bake the loaf, poke a couple of small holes in the dough so that there won’t be separation between the bread and the filling.
- Variations: Make the filling using chocolate or Nutella for an even more decadent treat.
Serving Suggestions
I like to serve cinnamon babka warm, or at room temperature. It’s great with a steaming cup of coffee, or a big glass of milk. If you want to make it into a dessert, serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of chocolate syrup!
How to Store Leftovers
Store this babka in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Or, if you store it in the fridge, it can last for up to a week.
Can I Freeze Cinnamon Babka?
Sure. You can opt to freeze your loaves for up to 30 days.
Description:
If you love sweet breads or cinnamon rolls, you will fall in love with this Cinnamon Babka recipe – guaranteed. It’s tender, fluffy, so sweet, and the perfect indulgent breakfast or snack to give you a burst of energy for the day ahead!
Ingredients:
For the Dough:
- 4 – 4 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 (1- ounce) package Instant Yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
- 1/2 cup milk, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 egg yolk, room temperature
- 10 tablespoons butter, room temperature
For the Filling:
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
For the Sugar Syrup
- 2/3 cup water
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
Instructions
For the Dough:
- In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the hook attachment mix 3 1/2 cups flour, salt, granulated sugar, and yeast, until combined. Turn the mixer to low and add in the milk, vanilla, and eggs one at a time until mostly combined. Add in the butter one tablespoon at a time until incorporated. Turn the mixer up to medium speed and mix for 10 minutes. Add in more dough as needed until it becomes soft, smooth, and elastic. I generally add in 4 cups total.
- Coat a large bowl in nonstick spray or oil and place the dough into the bowl, cover, and allow to rise for 1 hour in a warm, draft-free place.
For the Filling and the Sugar Syrup:
- In a medium bowl combine the butter, cinnamon, sugar, and salt. Set aside.
- In a small saucepan combine the water and sugar. Bring to a boil and boil for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
Assembly:
- Coat 2 8×4- inch loaf pans with nonstick spray. Line the pans with parchment paper, allowing the paper to overhang the ends for easy removal.
- When the dough has risen, divide it in half. Working with one half at a time, roll out on a lightly floured surface into a 10×12- inch rectangle. Spread half of the filling onto the dough. Roll up the dough tightly from the 10- inch side into a log.
- Cut the dough lengthwise down the middle, so the filling is exposed. Twist each half. Then twist the two halves together like a rope.
- Place the twisted dough into one of the prepared pans. Repeat this process with the remaining dough. Cover the pans and allow to rise for 30 minutes in a warm, draft-free place.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake the loaves for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and drizzle the sugar syrup evenly on each loaf, using all the syrup. Place back in the oven and bake for an additional 15 – 20 minutes until golden brown. To ensure the bread is baked it will reach an internal temperature of 190°F.
- Place a wire cooling rack on a baking sheet and remove the bread from the pans using the parchment paper, transferring them to the wire rack to cool. Sugar syrup will drip from the bottom of the bread as it cools.
Notes:
Serve warm or at room temperature.
Store airtight for up to 3 days. Alternately you can freeze this for up to 30 days.
Keywords:: cinnamon babka bread, sweet bread recipe
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