What is the difference between babka and challah?

Challah is a plaited enriched dough that is not cooked in a cake tin. It doesn’t have any filling as is not topped with syrup. Babka is a cake-bread hybrid with a filling that is shaped and baked in a loaf tin.

Is babka the same as brioche?

Brioche and babka are both enriched breads that are baked in loaf tins. The dough itself is very similar but the brioche is not filled and the babka is. The shaping is also different as brioche is made up of small balls of dough that prove to join while the babka is twisted together.

Chocolate Hazelnut Espresso Babka

Amy Hand

February 5, 2025

Babka is a classic Jewish enriched loaf that has taken the world by storm. It is rich, and chocolatey with a hint of espresso to keep things interesting.

Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.
Add warm milk and eggs. Mix until the dough starts coming together.
Add the softened butter, a tablespoon at a time, and knead for 5–6 minutes with a dough hook, until smooth and slightly sticky.
Shape into a ball, place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 ½ hours, or until doubled in size.
Mix Nutella, espresso powder, and cocoa powder until smooth.
Chop the dark chocolate into small chunks.
Roll out the dough into a 12×16-inch rectangle on a floured surface.
Spread the Nutella-espresso mixture evenly over the dough, leaving a ½-inch border. Sprinkle chopped dark chocolate over the top.
Starting from the long side, roll the dough into a tight log. Slice the log lengthwise to expose the layers.
Twist the two halves together, keeping the cut sides facing up, and transfer to a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.
Cover the babka and let it rise again for 45 minutes until puffy.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the babka for 35–40 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
While the babka bakes, heat sugar and water in a small saucepan until dissolved. Let cool slightly.
Brush the hot syrup over the baked babka for a glossy finish and extra moisture. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.