Honey Babka with Cream Cheese Frosting
This Honey Babka with Cream Cheese Frosting is a decadent twist on the classic babka. Rich, soft, and fluffy, this sweet braided bread is filled with a luscious honey-sweetened filling and topped with a creamy, tangy cream cheese frosting. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a special treat, this babka will surely become a family favorite!
- Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (8-10 servings)
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Eastern European, American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- For the Babka Dough:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet active dry yeast (about 2 ¼ teaspoons)
- ⅓ cup warm milk
- ¼ cup sugar
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ teaspoon salt
- For the Honey Filling:
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons milk (adjust for desired consistency)
Instructions
- For the Dough:
- In a small bowl, activate the yeast by mixing it with warm milk and a pinch of sugar. Let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt. Create a well in the center and add the eggs, activated yeast mixture, and softened butter. Mix until the dough comes together.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let it rise for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and set aside.
- For the Filling:
- In a bowl, mix the honey, melted butter, and cinnamon until smooth.
- To Assemble the Babka:
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out into a 12×18-inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface.
- Spread the honey filling evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Roll the dough tightly from the long side, then cut it in half lengthwise to expose the swirl.
- Twist the two halves together to form a braided loaf and place it into the prepared pan.
- Let it rise for 30 minutes to 1 hour until puffed up.
- Bake the babka for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean. Let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- In a bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth. Adjust the milk as needed for your desired consistency.
Notes
- If you prefer a more intense honey flavor, you can increase the amount of honey in the filling.
- The dough can be prepared ahead of time and chilled overnight in the fridge for a longer rise.
- If you like a sweeter frosting, add more powdered sugar to taste.
