Braided Chocolate Babka with Chocolate Filling and Melted Butter

👨‍🍳 Method

For the Dough base

1. 1
   Dissolve the yeast and the sugar in the lukewarm milk and leave about 10 minutes, until the mixture foams.

   💡If the mixture doesn't foam in that time, the yeast is no longer active, or the water was too hot. Start over with fresh yeast and body-temperature water.
2. 2
   Mix the flour and salt in a large bowl.

   Bowl
3. 3
   Add the yeast mixture and the eggs and knead 5 minutes. Add the butter and Knead another 8 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic.

   ⚙ KneadingBowlStand mixer

   💡Fat added only after the gluten has developed doesn't stop it from stretching: the dough comes out smooth and soft, not sticky.

   💡For yeast dough, use the windowpane test: a small piece stretches into a thin, translucent sheet without tearing, and that's the sign the kneading is done. Add flour only by the tablespoon, and only if the dough is still sticky after a few minutes: too much flour makes a tough dough.
4. 4
   Cover and Let rise 1 hour in a warm place, until the dough doubles in size.

   ⚙ ProofingPlastic wraporKitchen towel

   💡Let rise in a warm, draft-free spot. The dough is ready when it has doubled, and a gentle finger press leaves a dent that fills back slowly; if it springs right back, wait longer.

For the Pastry Filling

1. 5
   Melt the chocolate with the butter over low heat, stirring, until the mixture is smooth, and remove from the heat.

   StoveSmall saucepan
2. 6
   Add the powdered sugar and cocoa powder and mix into an even spread.
3. 7
   Let cool until the filling is easy to spread.

   💡Spread the filling at room temperature: too warm, it runs off the dough as you roll; too cold, it's hard and tears the dough.
4. 8
   Roll out the dough into a rectangle and spread the filling over it.

   ⚙ Rolling Out DoughRolling pin

   💡Roll from the center outward and give the dough a quarter turn between rolls: this keeps it even in thickness and stops it sticking to the counter. If it springs back, cover for 10–15 minutes and try again.
5. 9
   Roll into a log, cut it in half lengthwise and twist the two strips together, cut side up.

   Knife

   💡Twist with the cut side up: the layers of filling stay exposed, and they give the cake its marbled pattern.
6. 10
   Roll into a tight log.

   ⚙ ProofingPlastic wraporKitchen towelBaking pan
7. 11
   Beat the egg and brush the cake with it.

   ⚙ BakingOvenLoaf pan

   💡Check by the cue (until…), not just the clock: every oven bakes a little differently.