Best Babka

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1

   {'id': 'step_0', 'step': 1, 'text': 'Heat milk in a medium saucepan until just below boiling; stir in 2 cups unsalted butter until melted. Cool until lukewarm.'}

2. 2

   {'id': 'step_1', 'step': 2, 'text': 'Place ½ cup warm water and yeast in a small bowl; stir with a spoon to break up slightly. Set aside.'}

3. 3

   {'id': 'step_2', 'step': 3, 'text': 'Beat 4 eggs and 4 egg yolks in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until well combined. Add 1 cup sugar and salt; beat until mixture is thick and pale. Stir in orange zest, lemon zest, orange liqueur, vanilla extract, and yeast mixture. Beat in 2 cups flour on low speed until well combined; beat in 2 cups more flour until well combined. Beat in milk-butter mixture on medium-low speed, alternating with 4 cups more flour.'}

4. 4

   {'id': 'step_3', 'step': 4, 'text': 'Beat in up to 1 cup more flour if dough is sticky until well combined. Mix in currants, raisins, golden raisins, and almonds.'}

5. 5

   {'id': 'step_4', 'step': 5, 'text': 'Transfer dough to a well-floured work surface; knead until shiny and elastic, 8 to 10 minutes. Knead in up to 1 cup more flour if dough is still sticky. Shape dough into a ball, transfer to a large, greased bowl, and turn to coat. Cover the bowl with greased plastic wrap.'}

6. 6

   {'id': 'step_5', 'step': 6, 'text': 'Place dough in a warm place; let rise until doubled in volume, 1 ½ to 2 hours. Punch down dough, cover the bowl, and let rise again, 1 ½ hours more.'}

7. 7

   {'id': 'step_6', 'step': 7, 'text': 'Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease 3 tube pans.'}

8. 8

   {'id': 'step_7', 'step': 8, 'text': 'Combine 1 cup flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a medium bowl; cut in ¼ cup butter until coarse crumbs form. Sprinkle streusel in bottom of the prepared pans.'}

9. 9

   {'id': 'step_8', 'step': 9, 'text': 'Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 1 minute; divide into 3 even pieces. Roll each piece into a log, pinching seams to seal. Place logs, seam-sides up, in the prepared pans, pinching ends together to form rings. Cover pans loosely with plastic wrap. Let rise for 30 minutes.'}

10. 10

    {'id': 'step_9', 'step': 10, 'text': 'Beat 1 egg and 1 tablespoon water together; lightly brush over each loaf.'}

11. 11

    {'id': 'step_10', 'step': 11, 'text': 'Bake in the preheated oven until golden; bread should sound hollow when tapped, 30 to 45 minutes. Turn loaves out onto a rack while still warm. Cool completely before slicing.'}

📊 Nutrition Facts

Per serving (24 servings total)