Real Recipes From Real Home Cooks ®
CHOCOLATE BABKA
INGREDIENTS
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MAKES2 LOAVES
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ACTIVE TIME:1 HR START TO FINISH:6 1/2 HR (INCLUDES RISING)
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DECEMBER 2006
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Laden with chocolate, butter, and old-world charm, this babka is luscious served as dessert, with coffee, or as breakfast. While baking, the rich dough becomes incredibly tender, so it pulls apart in buttery pieces that melt in your mouth.
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FOR DOUGH
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3/4 cup warm milk (105–115°F)
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1/2 cup plus 2 teaspoons sugar
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3 teaspoons active dry yeast (from two 1/4-oz packages)
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3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour plus additional for dusting
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2 whole large eggs
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1 large egg yolk
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1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
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3/4 teaspoon salt
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1 1/4 sticks (10 tablespoons) unsalted butter, cut into pieces and softened
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FOR EGG WASH
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1 large egg yolk
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1 tablespoon heavy cream or whole milk
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FOR CHOCOLATE FILLING
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5 tablespoons unsalted butter, well softened
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2 (3 1/2- to 4-oz) bars fine-quality bittersweet chocolate (no more than 60% cacao if marked), finely chopped
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1/4 cup sugar
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SPECIAL EQUIPMENT: a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment; 2 (8 3/4- by 4 1/2- by 2 3/4-inch) loaf pans; parchment paper
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MAKE DOUGH:
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