If you mashed babka and monkey bread together, you’re going to get an intensely buttery, chocolatey situation. Turns out that a little shortcut was in order so you can really focus on the technique and chocolatey filling. Full disclosure: This isn’t “authentic” babka.
Contents
Babka is typically made with challah bread; however, to make your lives easier—so you can get to eating faster—I used Pillsbury grand biscuits! It’s well worth the shortcut, as these nodules of chocolate-filled biscuits are incredible.
Ingredients
- Unsalted butter, for pan
- 1/2 c.heavy cream
- 1/2 tsp.pure vanilla extract
- 1 c.(170 g.) semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/3 c.(30 g.) Dutch process dark cocoa powder
- 1/4 tsp.ground cinnamon
- 1/2 c.(100 g.) plus 2 tbsp. granulated sugar, divided
- 2(16.3-oz.) cans Original Pillsbury Grand Biscuits
- All-purpose flour, for dusting
- 1 tbsp.water
Directions
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- Step 1
Preheat oven to 375°. Grease a standard loaf pan (8 1/2″-by-4 1/2″) with butter. In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring cream and vanilla to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until warmed through, 4 to 5 minutes.
- Step 2In a medium heatproof bowl, mix chips, cocoa powder, cinnamon, and 1/2 cup granulated sugar. Pour cream mixture over chocolate mixture and whisk until smooth. Let cool about 10 minutes.
- Step 3On a lightly floured surface, roll each biscuit from 1 can to a rectangle 9″ long by 5″ wide. Spread chocolate mixture over top in a thin layer. Starting at the long end, roll into a log. Cut log in half crosswise, then each piece in half lengthwise. Twist each piece by turning one half left and one half right (some chocolate mixture should be visible). Tuck edges under to create a sphere and arrange in prepared pan (12 should snugly fit into bottom). Repeat with remaining dough and chocolate mixture, arranging on top in a second layer.
- Step 4Bake bread, tenting with foil if it’s browning too quickly, until golden brown and no longer raw in the center, 55 minutes to 1 hour.
- Step 5Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, bring water and remaining 2 tablespoons granulated sugar to a simmer.
- Step 6Brush babka with sugar syrup. Let cool completely before serving.
- Step 1
