Apple Babka
- Boston Girl Bakes
servings
COURSE
total time
prep time
1. Make The Dough. In a mixing bowl, with an electric mixer, stir together flour, yeast, sugar, and salt together in the bowl. Add eggs, milk, and vanilla using the paddle attachment. Mix on low speed until mixture comes together, scraping down the bowl and hook as needed. On low Speed, add butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, until incorporated. Let the dough rest for 20 minutes.
2. Knead dough. Increase speed to medium and knead with the dough hook for about 10 minutes. The dough should have pulled away from the sides of the bowl.
3. Bulk Rise. Place the dough in an oiled bowl, turning the dough, so it is evenly coated. Cover with a damp towel and let rise for 1 ½- 2 hours.
4. Make apple filling. Stir together the butter and sliced apples in a saucepan and heat over medium heat until the butter is melted and the apples are softened, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice.
5. Make cinnamon filling. In a small bowl, put the melted butter into a medium bowl and add the remaining ingredients, stirring until the mixture is the texture of damp sand. Set aside.
6. Prepare Pans. Grease, or butter two 9×5” loaf pans. Line pans with parchment paper. Grease again one more time. I just simply spray with non-stick spray.
7. Shape Babka. Divide dough in half. On a floured surface, roll one dough half into a rectangle about 12 x 12 inches. Spread half of the cinnamon filling over the rolled dough. Sprinkle on half of the apples. Starting with the end closest to you, roll up the dough fairly tightly into a log. Fold the ends underneath. Twist into a figure 8. I first make a "u", then twist the dough over on itself twice. Tuck the ends underneath. Place in one of the prepared pans. Repeat with the second dough.
8. Proof. Cover the pans with greased plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature for 1- 1 1/2 hours until puffy. During the last 20 minutes of rising, position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350ºF.
9. Make the crumb topping. In a small mixing bowl, stir together the brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle over the babka loaves at the end of the second rise.
10. Bake. Place loaf pans onto a baking sheet (in case the breads drip). Bake the breads in the oven for 40–50 minutes, or until 190ºF.