Bring the flavors of a Jewish deli to your home kitchen with this decadent chocolate babka.

Chocolate Babka Recipe: How to Make Chocolate Babka

Chocolate babka is a classic Jewish yeasted bread made by encasing rich dark chocolate filling inside braided strips of buttery, enriched dough. Traditional babka featured sweet ingredients such as cinnamon sugar, hazelnut spread, and fruit jam, but you can customize the loaf with other mix-ins or make it savory. 

Serve slices of chocolate babka with tea or coffee, or use the sweet bread as a base for [French toast](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/french-toast-recipe) or [bread pudding](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-bread-pudding-explained) for an indulgent brunch dish.
Follow these tips to craft the best chocolate babka possible: 

1. __Knead the dough thoroughly__. To achieve the desired light and airy crumb of a classic babka bread, knead the dough thoroughly using your hands or a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook. To check if the dough is ready for <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/baking-101-what-is-proofing-learn-how-to-proof-breads-and-other-baked-goods' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/baking-101-what-is-proofing-learn-how-to-proof-breads-and-other-baked-goods","linkCopy":"proofing","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>proofing</a>, press your finger into its center: If the dough slowly springs back to shape, it’s ready to proof. 
2. __Keep the temperature in mind__. The amount of time required to proof babka dough will vary depending on your home’s temperature and humidity level. For a faster rise, place the dough in a warm spot. The dough will rise more quickly on warm, humid days, but the proofing time will be longer on cold, dry days. 
3. __Add a topping__. Add extra flavor to your chocolate babka with a cinnamon-streusel topping, [cream cheese frosting](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cream-cheese-frosting-recipe), or a drizzle of [chocolate ganache](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/chef-dominique-ansels-chocolate-ganache-recipe). Incorporate toasted chopped nuts (like pecans or walnuts) or semisweet chocolate chips into the chocolate filling for textural contrast. 
4. __Store in an airtight container__. Leftover chocolate babka will keep well in an airtight container on the counter for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For long-term storage, wrap the babka tightly in plastic wrap followed by a layer of aluminum foil, and store it in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw the frozen babka overnight in the refrigerator before baking. 
Bring the flavors of a Jewish deli to your home kitchen with this decadent chocolate babka.

Chocolate babka is a classic Jewish yeasted bread made by encasing rich dark chocolate filling inside braided strips of buttery, enriched dough. Traditional babka featured sweet ingredients such as cinnamon sugar, hazelnut spread, and fruit jam, but you can customize the loaf with other mix-ins or make it savory. Serve slices of chocolate babka with tea or coffee, or use the sweet bread as a base for <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/french-toast-recipe' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/french-toast-recipe","linkCopy":"French toast","category":null}'>French toast</a> or <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-bread-pudding-explained' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-bread-pudding-explained","linkCopy":"bread pudding","category":null}'>bread pudding</a> for an indulgent brunch dish.

What Is Chocolate Babka?

Follow these tips to craft the best chocolate babka possible: <ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Knead the dough thoroughly. To achieve the desired light and airy crumb of a classic babka bread, knead the dough thoroughly using your hands or a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook. To check if the dough is ready for <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/baking-101-what-is-proofing-learn-how-to-proof-breads-and-other-baked-goods' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/baking-101-what-is-proofing-learn-how-to-proof-breads-and-other-baked-goods","linkCopy":"proofing","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>proofing</a>, press your finger into its center: If the dough slowly springs back to shape, it’s ready to proof. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Keep the temperature in mind. The amount of time required to proof babka dough will vary depending on your home’s temperature and humidity level. For a faster rise, place the dough in a warm spot. The dough will rise more quickly on warm, humid days, but the proofing time will be longer on cold, dry days. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Add a topping. Add extra flavor to your chocolate babka with a cinnamon-streusel topping, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cream-cheese-frosting-recipe' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cream-cheese-frosting-recipe","linkCopy":"cream cheese frosting","category":null}'>cream cheese frosting</a>, or a drizzle of <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/chef-dominique-ansels-chocolate-ganache-recipe' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/chef-dominique-ansels-chocolate-ganache-recipe","linkCopy":"chocolate ganache","category":null}'>chocolate ganache</a>. Incorporate toasted chopped nuts (like pecans or walnuts) or semisweet chocolate chips into the chocolate filling for textural contrast. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Store in an airtight container. Leftover chocolate babka will keep well in an airtight container on the counter for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For long-term storage, wrap the babka tightly in plastic wrap followed by a layer of aluminum foil, and store it in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw the frozen babka overnight in the refrigerator before baking. </li></ol>

4 Tips for Making Chocolate Babka

Decadent Chocolate Babka Recipe

Bring the flavors of a Jewish deli to your home kitchen with this decadent chocolate babka.

Bring the flavors of a Jewish deli to your home kitchen with this decadent chocolate babka.
