Cinnamon babka is a delicious pastry that has its roots in Jewish cuisine. Babka is believed to have originated in Eastern Europe, where it was traditionally made with leftover bread dough, rolled up with a sweet filling and baked. As Jewish immigrants brought their culinary traditions to America, babka became a popular dessert, particularly among the Jewish community. The cinnamon babka, in particular, has become an iconic dessert, with its warm, fragrant cinnamon filling and soft, buttery bread.
To make your own cinnamon babka, you’ll need to start by making a simple bread dough. Combine 3 cups of flour, 1/4 cup of sugar, 1 packet of yeast, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt in a large mixing bowl. Add 1/2 cup of warm milk and 1/2 cup of melted butter, and mix until a dough forms. Knead the dough for 5-10 minutes, until it’s smooth and elastic, then cover it and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours.
Once the dough has risen, roll it out into a rectangle and spread a mixture of 1/2 cup of softened butter, 1/2 cup of brown sugar, and 2 tablespoons of cinnamon over the surface. Roll the dough up tightly and cut it into slices, then arrange the slices in a greased baking dish. Let the babka rise for another 30 minutes, then bake it at 350°F for 25-30 minutes, until it’s golden brown and fragrant. Serve warm, with a cup of coffee or tea for the perfect afternoon snack.
