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Cinnamon apple babka slice.
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5 from 9 votes

The Ultimate Cinnamon Apple Babka

This Cinnamon Apple babka features a fluffy, buttery yeasted dough that is twisted with the most delicious apple cinnamon filling! The Ultimate
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Waiting Time14 hours
Total Time15 hours 10 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 5
Calories: 586kcal
Author: Katalin Nagy

Ingredients

Babka dough

Apple cinnamon Filling

  • 150 g Apple measure after peeled and cut into small identical pieces
  • a small amount of freshly squeezed lemon juice drizzle the apple slices right after cutting
  • 80 g Brown sugar
  • 60 g Unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon Cinnamon or a mix of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg

Syrup

Instructions

First day - first proofing

  • Start with mixing half of the sugar with lukewarm milk then sprinkle yeast on top. Make sure kitchen is nice and warm, and in 10 minute yeast should foam
  • Place the yeast mixture into your stand mixer with the kneading hook on, then mix it together with the egg and egg yolk
  • Mix in dry ingredients; bread flour, rest of the sugar, salt and start kneading until dough comes together
  • Slowly start to add in room temp (soft) butter chunks by piece. Knead the dough for another 10 minutes on medium high speed until dough becomes elastic and shiny and not sticky any longer
  • Move the dough into a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let it rest and rise in the fridge overnight for 12 hours

Second day

    Make the Apple Cinnamon filling

    • Peel and cut apples into small identical pieces then with the rest of the ingredients cook it for about 10 minutes until apple slighly soften and mixture thickens
    • Let filling completely cool before using

    Second proofing

    • After the dough risen overnight, with the help of a rolling pin roll it into a rectangle of 42x30 cm / 16x12 inches (on a Silicone baking mat)
    • Pop the Babka in and out of the freezer for a few minutes to chill between steps, make sure the dough is always cold enough to work with
    • Spread Apple cinnamon filling on top with the help of an Offset spatula. Roll Babka dough up evenly and tightly from the longer end then press to seal the end onto the roll
    • Grease your Loaf pan with butter or use parchment paper inside
    • Cut the Babka into half lengthwise, then place the logs over each other with filling facing up and twist the logs with your hands on both sides. Gently squeeze together the ends and carefully lift Babka into a prepared Loaf pan. Make sure the dough is nice and chilled during the process, pop it back to the freezer for a few minutes if necessary between steps
    • Proof Babka the second time now on room temp. Proofing might take 1-2h, wait until Babka doubled in size
    • Pre-heat your oven to 190C / 374F then once Babka dough nicely risen place it into the oven, lower the temp to 180C / 356F and bake for about 40 minutes. Bake until skewer inserted comes out clean
    • During the end of the baking time make the syrup: boil water, sugar and freshly squeezed lemon juice together until mixture reaches a syrup consistency. Pour hot syrup over baked Babka immediately
    • Let the syrup sink in and the Babka slightly cool before removing it from the tin to a cooling rack
    • Store in air-tight container in room temperature

    Notes

    INGREDIENT NOTES
    1. Use always unsalted butter in baking, in this Babka recipe butter needs to be on room temperature so soft enough to be able to knead into the dough
    2. Fresh or Dried yeast can be both used. My instant dried yeast pack says that 25g fresh yeast equal to 7 g  dried. I use 12,5 g fresh yeast to make this recipe that is equal to 3,5 g dried yeast (approx. 1 teaspoon). Please check your local brand and calculate your yeast need accordingly
    3. Use milk and egg on room temperature in order for the ingredients to properly emulsify
    4. Since Babka is effectively a sweet bread use high protein content bread flour 
    TECHNIQUE NOTES
    1. For activating the yeast (whether it is dried or fresh), make sure that the milk is lukewarm and your kitchen is also nice and warm
    2. You will knead the dough for about 10 minutes in a stand mixer. The dough is ready when it is shiny, elastic and does not stick to your fingers any longer. Do not add more flour to the dough. If it sticks too much, continue kneading
    3. Overnight proofing is recommended for the best results. It is much easier to handle (roll, shape) a dough that is risen in chilled environment
    4. While cooking the filling pay attention not to overcook the apple. Also, make sure the mixture is thick enough to be able to fill it into your babka dough
    5. Filling must be chilled before using. Warm filling will would melt the dough immediately
    6. During the rolling, filling, shaping process try to work with chilled dough
    7. Second proofing is necessary for the perfect rise = fluffy texture
    8. Do not skip the syrup at the end. It will make your babka super shiny and moist 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 586kcal | Carbohydrates: 81g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 134mg | Sodium: 151mg | Potassium: 178mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 42g | Vitamin A: 855IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 73mg | Iron: 1mg