Perfect Christmas Chocolate Babka — The Eastern European Holiday Bread

Chocolate babka is the Eastern European holiday bread that's stunning when sliced — twisted chocolate swirls visible throughout. It takes time but the technique is rewarding. A perfect Christmas morning treat or holiday gift.

The recipe (makes 2 loaves)

Dough

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 packet active dry yeast
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup whole milk (warmed)
• 2/3 cup unsalted butter (softened)

Chocolate filling

• 8 oz dark chocolate, melted
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Syrup (for after baking)

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup water

Method

1. Make dough; mix; knead 10 minutes
2. First rise: 1.5-2 hours
3. Divide in half; roll out rectangle
4. Spread chocolate filling on each
5. Roll up; cut lengthwise; twist together
6. Place in loaf pans; second rise 1 hour
7. Bake at 350°F for 30-40 minutes
8. Brush hot babka with syrup

Make-ahead

• Make 1 day ahead (better next day)
• Freeze whole babka up to 2 months
• Reheat in 300°F oven for 10 minutes

Variations

• Cinnamon babka: swap chocolate for cinnamon sugar
• Nutella babka: use Nutella as filling
• Cranberry-orange babka: orange zest + cranberry compote

Cross-references

For other Christmas baked goods, see perfect Christmas morning cinnamon rolls and perfect Christmas dinner rolls.

Perfect Christmas chocolate babka is the twisted bread that's worth the time. Beautiful sliced; rich with chocolate; perfect for Christmas morning or as a gift.