If you have yet to discover the full magic of a Chocolate Babka Recipe, you are in for an absolute treat. This luscious, swirled dessert is a captivating blend of rich, glossy dark chocolate wrapped inside soft, tender bread that seems to melt in your mouth. Whether you’re aiming to impress at a special gathering or just craving a slow, satisfying weekend bake, this Jewish bakery classic offers an irresistible combination of texture and flavor that will keep everyone coming back for more.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows a twisted dough braid with three visible layers on a white marbled surface, lightly dusted with flour. The outer dough layers are pale yellow with a soft, smooth texture, while the inner layers alternate with dark brown, rich chocolate filling creating a striped pattern inside the braid. The dough strip twists elegantly in a spiral shape, revealing the contrast between the pale dough and dark filling in each curve. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

To pull off this Chocolate Babka Recipe perfectly, you only need a handful of simple ingredients that come together beautifully to deliver complexity in flavor and texture. Each ingredient plays its part: from the creamy butter that enriches the dough to the bittersweet chocolate that makes the filling intensely decadent.

Warm whole milk (¼ cup): Activates the yeast gently for a light, airy dough.
Active dry yeast (1 ½ teaspoons): The essential leavening agent that gives the babka its soft rise.
Granulated sugar (various amounts): Adds just the right touch of sweetness in the dough, filling, and syrup.
All-purpose flour (2 ¼ cups): Provides structure for the dough’s tender crumb.
Salt (½ teaspoon and ½ teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and enhances the chocolate flavor.
Large eggs + egg yolks (2 eggs + 2 yolks): Give richness and stability to the dough.
Pure vanilla extract (1 teaspoon + 2 teaspoons): Elevates the aroma and adds warmth.
Salted butter (6 tablespoons for filling + 4 tablespoons for dough): Ensures moistness and a luxe mouthfeel.
Bittersweet or semisweet chocolate (½ cup, chopped): The star ingredient creating those beautiful glossy swirls.
Cocoa powder (¼ cup): Deepens the chocolate intensity in the filling.
Heavy cream (1 tablespoon for egg wash): Gives a shiny, golden crust when combined with egg.
Sugar and water for syrup: Infuses sweetness and keeps the babka moist after baking.

TIP

You’ll find the full ingredient list, instructions, and print option in the recipe card below.

How to Make Chocolate Babka Recipe

Step 1: Prepare and Activate the Yeast

Begin by warming your milk to just the right temperature—around 110°F to 115°F—so the yeast wakes up happily. Stir together the warm milk with a teaspoon of sugar and the active dry yeast, then let it sit for five minutes until it becomes foamy and fragrant. This lively yeast is what promises your babka that heavenly soft rise.

Step 2: Mix and Knead the Dough

Next, combine the flour, remaining sugar, salt, eggs, yolks, and the milk-yeast mixture. Mix until combined, then knead the dough thoroughly for several minutes. Start on low speed if using a stand mixer with a dough hook—adding the butter a piece at a time—to build a silky, elastic dough. This step takes patience, but it’s crucial for that perfect babka texture. After kneading, transfer the dough to a clean bowl to rise until doubled in size, roughly two hours.

Step 3: Refrigerate for Slow Rising

After punching the dough down, cover and refrigerate it for at least four hours or overnight. This slow, cool rise develops wonderful flavor and structure.

Step 4: Create the Chocolate Filling

While the dough rests, melt together the butter and chopped chocolate until silky smooth. Whisk in the sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla, and salt and then let the mixture cool until spreadable. This luscious filling is the heart of your babka and will create those stunning chocolate layers you’ll swoon over at the first bite.

Step 5: Roll, Fill, and Shape

Roll your dough into a 16 by 12-inch rectangle and slather it generously with the chocolate filling. Roll it up from the short end—not like a cinnamon roll but the opposite way—to keep those gorgeous layers intact. Cut the roll in half lengthwise and twist the two strands together, keeping the cut sides facing upward to showcase that chocolate swirl. Place your twisted loaf carefully into a parchment-lined loaf pan and cover with plastic wrap. Let it rise for about 45 minutes until it fills the pan edges.

Step 6: Bake and Glaze

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Whisk the egg with cream to make a glossy egg wash and brush it generously over the babka. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes until the top is a beautiful golden brown and an internal temperature reaches about 190°F. While it bakes, prepare the syrup by dissolving sugar in water over medium heat. Once out of the oven, poke holes in the warm loaf and pour the syrup gently over it to keep it moist and add extra shine.

How to Serve Chocolate Babka Recipe

The image shows two thick slices of swirled cake with layers of light yellow and dark brown in a spiral pattern, placed on two white plates with simple designs; one plate is plain white while the other is white with brown specks and a brown rim. To the right, there is a slice of the same cake on a wire rack over crumpled white paper. The background is a white marbled surface with a beige cloth on the left side, a knife with a black handle at the bottom right, and a cream and black fabric item at the top left. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Chocolate babka is stunning on its own, but a light dusting of powdered sugar or a sprinkle of toasted sliced almonds adds a lovely finishing touch that makes it look irresistible. You might also drizzle a little melted chocolate or a smear of whipped cream on the side for a café-style indulgence.

Side Dishes

This decadent treat pairs beautifully with a cup of strong coffee or a creamy latte, making it a beloved breakfast or afternoon pick-me-up. For an elegant dessert, serve alongside fresh berries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to add a fresh, fruity contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

For festive occasions, slice the babka thickly and arrange on a decorative platter, perhaps with edible flowers and fresh mint sprigs for a charming presentation. You can also cut it into smaller bites and serve alongside mini jars of Nutella or salted caramel for guests to customize their bites—a fun and interactive way to enjoy this classic.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover chocolate babka wraps well in plastic wrap or foil and keeps wonderfully at room temperature for up to two days. The bread stays soft, and the chocolate layers retain their gooey charm, making it a fantastic treat for the days following your bake.

Freezing

If you want to keep your babka fresh longer, it freezes beautifully. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil before placing it in a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge and bring to room temperature before serving.

Reheating

To revive your baby, warm slices briefly in a toaster oven or conventional oven at low heat for about 5-7 minutes. This will restore that freshly-baked texture and melty chocolate goodness—perfect for breakfast or a special treat anytime.

FAQs

Can I use milk other than whole milk in this Chocolate Babka Recipe?

Yes, you can substitute with 2% or even non-dairy milk like almond or oat, but whole milk adds the best richness and tender crumb to the dough. Adjust temperature carefully to avoid killing the yeast.

How long does the rising process take?

The initial rise takes about 2 hours until doubled, followed by a slower 4-hour or overnight rise in the fridge. This slow fermentation develops deeper flavor and a perfected chewy texture.

Can I make this recipe without a stand mixer?

Absolutely! Kneading by hand takes a bit more time and elbow grease—about 6 minutes—but you’ll still get wonderful results. Just make sure the dough is smooth and elastic before resting.

Is it necessary to use an egg wash?

While optional, an egg wash brushed on before baking gives the babka a beautiful shiny golden crust that looks as good as it tastes. You can skip it, but your babka won’t have quite the same glossy finish.

Can I add cinnamon to this Chocolate Babka Recipe?

Definitely! Adding a teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the chocolate filling gives a warm, aromatic twist that pairs perfectly with the chocolate for an extra layer of flavor.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly special about making and sharing a homemade Chocolate Babka Recipe—the way the rich chocolate spirals through the soft bread feels like a cozy hug you can slice and serve. Whether you’re new to baking babka or a seasoned fan, this recipe promises a show-stopping centerpiece for your table and moments of pure, joyous indulgence for everyone lucky enough to taste it. Go ahead, treat yourself—you won’t regret it.