Chocolate Babka

Batch Size:
Yield:

Sponge

AmountIngredient
Fresh Yeast
Whole Milk110ºF/43ºC
All-purpose Flour

Dough

AmountIngredient
All-purpose Flour
Whole Eggs
Orange Zest½ tsp
Brown Sugar
Salt1 t
Unsalted Buttersoftened

Filling

AmountIngredient
Unsalted Butter
Granulated Sugar
Salt½ tsp
Chocolate72%
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
Nutstoasted, coarsely chopped
Total Dough Weight:
Yield: Two 9-Inch Loaf PansTo taste / as needed
Scaled ingredient total3,213 g

Prep Method 15

  1. Sponge:

  2. 1.Make a sponge with the yeast, milk and flour. Cover and let proof in a warm place for about 15-20 minutes.

  3. Dough:

  4. 2.In a mixer fitted with a hook attachment, combine all of the dough ingredients with the sponge.
  5. 3.Mix on medium-low speed for 1 minute to hydrate. Increase the speed to medium-high and mix for 5-6 minutes to develop a soft, smooth dough.
  6. 4.Cover and refrigerate for 6 hours or overnight.

  7. Filling:

  8. 5.Melt the butter in a saucepan. Add the sugar and salt, then whisk until the sugar is dissolved.
  9. 6.Remove from the heat and add the chocolate. Allow to stand for 1 minute, then whisk to emulsify. Whisk in the cocoa powder until smooth.

  10. Shaping & Baking:

  11. 7.Divide the dough in ½, about 625 g (1 lb 6 oz) per loaf.
  12. 8.Pre-shape by patting each portion into a rectangle. Cover and bench rest for 5-10 minutes.
  13. 9.Roll each portion into a 12x 18-inch rectangle. Spread 275 g (9.7 oz) of chocolate filling over each surface all the way to the edges.
  14. 10.Sprinkle each with 50 g (1.8 oz) of nuts and gently roll into a tight log about 18-inches long.
  15. 11.With a sharp knife, slice the log completely in ½. Twist the 2 pieces until it's one big twist.
  16. 12.Place onto a greased loaf pan. Lightly press down on the top to de-gas and slightly flatten.
  17. 13.Egg wash the top of each loaf and top with 150 g (5.3 oz) of streusel on page 37.
  18. 14.Proof until about doubled in size.
  19. 15.Bake at 350°F (177°C) until the internal temperature is 185°F (85°C) when a thermometer is inserted into the dough portion of the babka.

U of M Equivalency

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Recipe Cost

There is not enough information to calculate cost. Please verify the below:
  • This recipe and all its sub-recipes must include Total Yield
  • All ingredients in this recipe and its sub-recipes must be defined
  • All ingredients in this recipe and its sub-recipes must have a purchase cost
  • All ingredients in this recipe and its sub-recipes must have the needed unit conversion to convert from the unit in the recipe to the purchase unit
  • If this recipe exists in multiple concepts or locations, there is a cost at each concept/location

Ingredient and sub-recipe costs used to calculate this recipe.

Ingredient / Sub-Recipe ( | )Cost
Fresh YeastThis ingredient is not yet set with a purchase cost and unit—
Whole MilkThis ingredient is not yet set with a purchase cost and unit—
All-purpose Flour$0.084
Purchase item nameGreat Value All-Purpose Enriched Bleached Wheat Flour, 5 lb Bag
Purchase cost$2.38
Purchase unit5 pound
Date added2025-11-26
Item ID #10403017
Vendorwalmart
All-purpose Flour$0.6139
Purchase item nameGreat Value All-Purpose Enriched Bleached Wheat Flour, 5 lb Bag
Purchase cost$2.38
Purchase unit5 pound
Date added2025-11-26
Item ID #10403017
Vendorwalmart
Whole EggsThis ingredient is not yet set with a purchase cost and unit—
Orange ZestThis ingredient is not yet set with a purchase cost and unit—
Brown Sugar$0.0655
Purchase item nameGreat Value Light Brown Sugar, 32 oz
Purchase cost$1.98
Purchase unit32 ounce_mass
Date added2026-05-16
Item ID #10315012
Vendorwalmart
Salt$0.0055
Purchase item nameGreat Value Iodized Salt, 26 oz
Purchase cost$0.67
Purchase unit26 ounce_mass
Date added2024-10-27
Item ID #10448316
Vendorwalmart
Unsalted Butter$1.248
Purchase item nameGreat Value Sweet Cream Unsalted Butter, 16 oz, 4 Sticks
Purchase cost$3.06
Purchase unit16 ounce_mass
Date added2026-08-08
Item ID #10315054
Vendorwalmart
Unsalted Butter$1.0119
Purchase item nameGreat Value Sweet Cream Unsalted Butter, 16 oz, 4 Sticks
Purchase cost$3.06
Purchase unit16 ounce_mass
Date added2026-08-08
Item ID #10315054
Vendorwalmart
Granulated Sugar$0.3264
Purchase item name10 LB SUGAR
Purchase cost$6.58
Purchase unit10 pound
Date added2026-07-10
Item ID #980250647.0
Vendorsams_club
Salt$0.0023
Purchase item nameGreat Value Iodized Salt, 26 oz
Purchase cost$0.67
Purchase unit26 ounce_mass
Date added2024-10-27
Item ID #10448316
Vendorwalmart
ChocolateThis ingredient is not yet set with a purchase cost and unit—
Unsweetened Cocoa PowderThis ingredient is not yet set with a purchase cost and unit—
NutsThis ingredient is not yet set with a purchase cost and unit—
Total Dough Weight:This ingredient is not yet set with a purchase cost and unit—
Yield: Two 9-Inch Loaf PansThis ingredient is not yet set with a purchase cost and unit—
Total Yield3,213 g
Total Cost$3.3574
Cost Per G:$0.001

Partial estimate; unpriced ingredients are excluded. 39% of ingredient weight is priced.

9 costing issues
  • Fresh Yeast: no active USD purchase price with a convertible package size
  • Whole Milk: no active USD purchase price with a convertible package size
  • Whole Eggs: no active USD purchase price with a convertible package size
  • Orange Zest: no active USD purchase price with a convertible package size
  • Chocolate: no active USD purchase price with a convertible package size
  • Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: no active USD purchase price with a convertible package size
  • Nuts: no active USD purchase price with a convertible package size
  • Total Dough Weight:: no active USD purchase price with a convertible package size
  • Yield: Two 9-Inch Loaf Pans: no active USD purchase price with a convertible package size

Nutrition label

Complete the items below to generate a final label.

!
Serving sizeAdd servings in edit mode.
Ingredient nutritional data11 of 17 connected
!Total Dough Weight:Add nutritional data1276 g›✓All-purpose FlourFlour, wheat, all-purpose, unenriched, unbleached585 g›✓Granulated SugarSugars, granulated225 g›!Whole MilkAdd nutritional data200 g›✓Unsalted ButterButter, stick, unsalted185 g›✓Whole EggsEgg, whole, raw, fresh150 g›✓Unsalted ButterButter, stick, unsalted150 g›!ChocolateAdd nutritional data120 g›!NutsAdd nutritional data100 g›✓All-purpose FlourFlour, wheat, all-purpose, unenriched, unbleached80 g›✓Unsweetened Cocoa PowderCocoa, dry powder, unsweetened60 g›!Fresh YeastAdd nutritional data40 g›✓Brown SugarSugars, brown30 g›✓SaltSalt, table6 g›✓Orange ZestOrange peel, raw2.5 g›✓SaltSalt, table2.5 g›!Yield: Two 9-Inch Loaf PansAdd nutritional data1 g›

Nutrition Facts

Serving size100 g

Amount per serving

Calories120

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 10g
12%
Saturated Fat 0g
1%
Cholesterol 40mg
14%
Sodium 110mg
5%
Total Carbohydrate 24g
9%
Dietary Fiber 1g
5%
Total Sugars <1g
Protein 3g

* The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving contributes to a daily diet. A 2,000 calorie diet is used for general nutrition advice.

Draft calculation · 46% mapped. Scaled batch: 3741 kcal. Nutrition and allergen analysis must be professionally verified before regulatory use.

Additional details

  • If the dough seems too soft and excessively sticky after mixing, add more flour until it pulls away from the sides.
  • The dough can be used in as little as 1 hour. However a long, slow fermentation improves the flavor and character of the dough.
  • Any nut can be used depending on preference. We like hazelnuts, walnuts, pecans, or almonds.