I learned how to make this Mexican-Inspired babka during Hispanic Heritage Month a couple of years ago. At the time, my job organized a virtual baking class led by Masa Madre, a Mexican Jewish inspired bakery that offers baking classes virtually and in Chicago. We were sent the ingredients and instructions for preparing the dough before the class then completed the second half while on the Zoom call.
I don’t consider myself a baker at all. In fact, I often joke that I’m really good at cooking but can’t bake to save my life. However, this babka bread was the first baking recipe I’ve ever made from scratch, and I have to say, I was surprised at how simple it was to follow and how delicious it was! Maybe I’m biased because I had never had babka bread before, but after trying it at a local farmers market, I can say this recipe still passes the taste check. Enjoy it with a cafecito, hot chocolate, or my Masala chai recipe.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe for Babka Bread
- Versatile – This babka bread recipe is versatile, as you can fill it with whatever you’d like! You can opt to make chocolate babka, or fill your bread with cinnamon-butter, cream cheese, jam, you name it!
- Interactive – I will say this recipe has quite a few steps to it, and it does require preparation ahead of time. But this interactivity is part of what makes it so fun and that much more rewarding to see the finished product.
Recommended Tools for This Recipe
- Rolling Pin – You’ll need a rolling pin to roll out your babka bread dough.
- Loaf Pan – This recipe creates two loaves of babka bread, so I recommend having two pans so it keeps its shape.
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Ingredients You’ll Need
- All-Purpose Flour – likely something you already have in your pantry!
- Eggs – We’ll use 4 egg yolks and 2 eggs to make our dough. Another egg will be used to wash our babka bread so it has a moist exterior.
- Your Filling of Choice – Fill your babka with whatever you’d like — Nutella, cinnamon butter, jam, you name it!
Mexican-Inspired Babka Bread Recipe
Description
Learn how to make babka bread that can be filled with whatever you prefer!
Babka Ingredients
How to Make Babka Bread
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Activate yeast
In a small bowl, mix sugar, water, and dry yeast. Let rest for 5 minutes.
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Mix remaining ingredients
In a separate bowl, mix 4 egg yolks and 2 eggs, vegetable oil, and honey. Then add salt, flour, and the yeast mix from Step 1.
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Knead dough
Knead your dough for 8-10 minutes, or until it is soft and stretchy.
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Allow dough to rest
Cover your mixing bowl, and allow the dough to rest for 30 minutes to 1 hour in room temperature.
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Preheat oven
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Roll out dough
Lightly flour a flat surface, and roll your dough into a rectangle about 24 inches long, 12 inches wide, and 1/4 inches thick.
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Add filling
Spread a thin layer of your preferred filling throughout the entire rectangle.
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Create loaves
Roll the dough away from you into a log, and slice it in half to make two loaves. Slice again lengthwise, then flip both pieces, so the filling is exposed and facing up.
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Braid dough
Place one piece of dough on top of the other making an X, and twist them from the center to the sides. Place the braid in a loaf pan, and repeat with the second half.
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Egg wash
Brush both loaves with egg wash and let them rise for 15-20 minutes.
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Bake
Bake your loaves for 30-35 minutes until golden brown.
Inside temperature of the babka bread should reach 180 degrees Fahrenheit. -
Enjoy
Enjoy your babka!