Sweet Bread Dough makes 2 Babkas using 9x4.5 inch loaf pan. Use 1/2 of the sweet bread dough for one babka.8 Servings per loaf.
Prep Time15 minutesmins
Cook Time45 minutesmins
Rising1 hourhr15 minutesmins
Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American, German, polish, Slovak
Keyword: babka, blueberry bread, twist bread
Servings: 8
Author: Hani Bacova
Ingredients
Bread/Yeast Dough
1batchSweet Bread Dough Recipe( for richer dough use 6 egg yolks in place of 2 in the recipe, and add additional 3 tbsp of flour )
Blueberry Filling per 1 Babka
2cupsblueberries
1/2cupgranulated sugar
1/4cupcorn starch
Streusel
1/2cupflour
2/3cupsugar
3tbspbutter
2tbsproom temperature milk - to brush the top of risen babka before adding streusel
Instructions
Prepare Loaf pan
Spray the pan with a non stick spray. Line the pan with a small piece of parchment paper, leaving about 1 inch overhanging on each long side. Set aside.
Sweet Bread Dough
Prepare Sweet Bread Dough - link to the recipe is listed in the notes and at the top of the post.
Prepare the dough according to the recipe. Cut the dough in half, shape dough into 2 balls. Cover and let rest for 10 to 15 minutes. Resting allows dough to become more relaxed and easier to roll out.
This recipe yields 2 bread loafs baked in 9x4.5 inch loaf pan.
TIP : For a richer dough use 6 egg yolks in place of 2 in my basic sweet bread recipe. And use additional 3 tbsp of flour.
Blueberry Filling
Process blueberries in a food processor until chunky (2 cups), granulated sugar (1/2 cups) and corn starch (1/4 cup). Pour mixture into a pot and cook the mixture on a medium heat. Stirring, until it thickens. It will resemble a consistency of a pudding. Bring it to boil and simmer for 30 to 60 seconds. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Cover with a plastic wrap to prevent crusting.
TIP: How to cool blueberry filling : use water bath to quickly cool the filling, stirring frequently. Or cover filling with a plastic wrap to prevent the skin from forming and refrigerate overnight. Bring the filling to room temperature before using.
Streusel
In a bowl combine flour (1/2 cup) and sugar (2/3 cup). Add cut up piece of butte(2 tbsp) and with your fingers press the butter into the flour/sugar mixture until you have a coarse texture.
Shaping the Blueberry Babka
Roll out 1 ball of yeast dough. Traditionally filling is spread over the top of the dough. And roll it into a log. I used a folding technique (as seen in the video and picture tutorial). Use what you prefer.
Cut the log lengthwise and shape a 2 strand braid. Pinch the ends and transfer loaf into a prepared loaf pan. Let it rise for 50 minutes.
Repeat with a second ball of dough. Or use the dough to make kolache, rolls or a small slab bread.
Bake Blueberry Babka
Once the bread is risen brush it with a room temperature milk or alternatively spray with some water. And generously sprinkle streusel on the top.
Bake in the preheated oven at 350F for 30 minutes. Then loosely cover loaf with a foil dome and bake for additional 15 minutes. Test if the skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. It is normal to have a skewer come out discolored. As long as dough is not clinging to it it's okay.
Let the bread cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer it onto a cooling rack to cool completely.