If you're a fan of sweet bread, then you'll love Babka. This Eastern European bread is not only delicious but visually stunning with its twisted appearance. Traditionally, Babka is made with a sweet yeast dough that is rolled and twisted with a filling of chocolate, cinnamon, or nuts.
To start, make the dough by combining 1 cup of warm milk, 2 1/4 teaspoons of active dry yeast, and 1/3 cup of sugar in a bowl. Let it sit for 10 minutes until the yeast is activated and bubbly. Then add 2 eggs, 1/2 cup of unsalted melted butter, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Mix until combined.
In a separate bowl, mix 3 1/2 cups of flour and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and knead until the dough is smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it with a damp cloth. Let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours.
For the filling, melt 1 cup of chocolate chips with 1/2 cup of unsalted butter and 1/4 cup of sugar in a saucepan. Mix until smooth and let it cool for 10 minutes.
Roll out the dough onto a floured surface into a rectangle shape. Spread the chocolate mixture over the dough and roll it up tightly. Cut the dough in half lengthwise and twist the two halves together. Place the twisted dough into a greased loaf pan and let it rise for another 30 minutes.
Bake the Babka in a preheated oven at 350°F for 45-50 minutes until golden brown. Once done, let it cool for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.