Ingredients
Method
For the Dough:
- Make a cup of Folgers K-Cups coffee at the strongest level. Once brewed, stir in 1 Tbsp of sugar, stir, making sure the sugar has dissolved.
- Add in the milk. The milky coffee temperatures needs to be between 95 - 115°F.
- Sprinkle the yeast over the warm milky coffee and allow the yeast to rest for 5 - 10 minutes or until it bubbles and thickens.
- In a large bowl, add the milk coffee mixture, flour, eggs, vanilla, salt, sugar and softened butter.
- Using the dough hook attachment of a stand mixer (or can be mixed using a wooden spoon), mix all ingredients until well combined. Dough will be slightly sticky. If mixing by hand, knead the dough on a lightly floured surface until the dough is smooth for about 3 - 5 minutes. The dough will be sticky, if too sticky and not coming together, add in 1/4 - 1/2 cup more of flour.
- Lightly butter/grease a large, clean bowl, transfer the dough, rolling it around to coat dough on all sides. Cover with a clean cloth and let rise for about 1 1/2 - 2 hours or until doubled in volume.
For the Filling:
- In a saucepan, melt the butter and 3/4 cup chocolate chips together, stirring occasionally until smooth.
- Add in the powdered sugar and cocoa, mixing well. The mixture should be on the thick side. Set aside.
To Assemble the Babka:
- Line a 9" x 5" loaf pan with parchment paper.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface, punch down, divide into 2 portions, cover one to prevent it drying out while working with the other. Roll into approximately about an 12 - 18 rectangle.
- Spread half of the chocolate mixture over dough, leaving about 1/2 inch border along one short side. Optionally, you can sprinkle about 1/2 cup of chocolate chips over the melted chocolate spread.
- Starting with the filling covered short end, steadily and evenly roll it up, sealing the edge.
- Using a sharp knife, cut dough in half, lengthwise. Turn dough cut side up and place beside each other.
- Starting in the middle, twist dough keeping the cut side up and seal/pinch dough to seal at end. Repeat from middle to end for other side.
- Very carefully transfer dough to the prepared, parchment lined loaf pan.
- Cover loosely and let rise, about 1 - 1 1/2 hours, or until the dough has risen above the loaf pan.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Uncover Babka dough, bake for 45 - 55 minutes. Loosely cover Babka during the last 20 minutes with foil, to prevent over browning. Babka should be golden brown.
- In a small saucepan, bring the water and sugar to a boil, stirring until sugar has dissolved. Drizzle half of sugar glaze over each Babka while the bread is still warm and in pans.
- Allow to cool in pan for 10 minutes, remove and peel away the parchment, transfer to a cooling rack to completely cool.
