January 3, 2024
Gluten Free Chocolate Babka
Prep time:
25 min
Cook time:
40 min
Total time:
3 1/2 hours + 6 to 24 rest time
Gluten Free Chocolate Babka
Indulge in the decadence of our Gluten Free Chocolate Babka, a showstopper made effortlessly delightful with Hand + Heart Gluten-Free Sweet Dough Mix. Brace yourself for an amazing braided bread with a luscious chocolate filling, a creation that’s a game-changer in the world of gluten-free baking.
What sets our Sweet Dough mix apart? It’s not like your typical gluten-free mixes. It’s more than just workable; it’s a dream to knead, roll, and shape. Crafting this babka becomes a joy, not a challenge. The dough is soft, tender, and blissfully devoid of any gritty texture, ensuring each bite is a celebration of gluten free perfection.
Imagine the aroma of freshly baked babka wafting through your kitchen – layers of sweet dough and rich chocolate, braided to perfection. With Hand + Heart Mix, we’ve turned the seemingly impossible into a gluten free reality. This babka isn’t just a bread; it’s a testament to the fact that gluten free can be indulgent, workable, and downright delicious.
If you want to save yourself a little work and love Nutella, you can substitute 1 1/2 cup of it for the homemade fudge filling. Also note that you can make this over a few days instead of all at once. Babka freezes well for up to 3 months, so if you need only one loaf now, freeze the other for later.
So, whether you’re a seasoned baker or just beginning your gluten-free journey, our Gluten Free Chocolate Babka with Hand + Heart Gluten Free Sweet Dough Mix is here to redefine your expectations. Get ready to savor the joy of a babka that’s not just gluten-free but a heavenly experience that will have everyone
Gluten Free Chocolate Babka
Prep time:
25 min
Cook time:
40 min
Total time:
3 1/2 hours + 6 to 24 rest time
Yield:
2 babkas
Author:
made by hand, from the heart
Ingredients
For the dough:
- 1 package of Hand + Heart Gluten Free Sweet Dough Mix
- 1 1/4 cups warm milk (110ºF)
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- yeast packets (included with mix)
DAIRY FREE OPTION: Use dairy free milk and butter and omit heavy cream.
EGG FREE OPTION:
Mix 1/2 cup ground flaxseed with ½ cup warm water OR
Mix 2 TBSP psyllium husk powder with 1/2 cup water
Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes before adding to the dough mix.
For the fudge filling:
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 3/4 cups heavy cream or half-and-half
- Pinch kosher salt
- 6 ounces (170g) extra bittersweet chocolate, preferably between 66 and 74 percent cocoa, coarsely chopped
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, diced, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the chocolate streusel:
- 1/2 cup Hand + Heart Gluten Free All Purpose Flour
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 4 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/3 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips
Optional for Nutella filling:
- 1 1/2 cup nutella
- chopped hazelnuts, optional for filling and topping
For the syrup:
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2/3 cup water
Instructions
Make the dough:
- In a bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, add entire packet of H+H Gluten Free Sweet Dough mix and yeast packets. Whisk to combine.
- Add warmed milk, melted butter and eggs in the bowl and mix with a spatula until the dry and wet ingredients are well incorporated.
- Beat on medium speed for 5 minutes, stopping mid way to scrape sides and bottom of the bowl. Dough will be sticky but smooth.
- Transfer dough into a lightly oiled medium bowl and cover with a plastic wrap. Place in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight so dough stiffens and it is easier to handle.
Prepare the filling:
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar, cream and salt. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until sugar completely dissolves, about 5 minutes.
- Scrape mixture into a bowl. Stir in chocolate, butter and vanilla until smooth. Let cool to room temperature. Filling can be made up to a week ahead and stored, covered, in the fridge. Let come to room temperature before using.
Prepare the streusel:
- In a bowl, stir together flour, sugar, cocoa powder and salt. Stir in melted butter until it is evenly distributed and forms large, moist crumbs. Stir in the chocolate chips. Streusel can be prepared up to 3 days ahead and stored, covered, in the fridge.
Prepare the syrup:
- In a small saucepan, combine sugar and 2/3 cup water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then simmer for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves.
Shape the babka:
- Butter two 9-inch loaf pans, then line with parchment paper, leaving 2 inches of paper hanging over on the sides to use as handles later.
-
Remove dough from refrigerator and divide in half. On a floured surface, roll one piece into a 9 x 14 inch rectangle. Spread with half the filling (there’s no need to leave a border). Starting with a long side, roll into a tight coil.
-
Slice the dough coil in half lengthwise to expose the filling. Twist the halves together as if you were braiding them.
-
Place into a prepared pan, letting it curl around itself if it’s a little too long for the pan. Cover loosely with a clean kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place for 1 to 1½ hours, until puffy (it won’t quite double). Alternatively, you can cover the pans with plastic wrap and let them rise in the refrigerator overnight; bring them back to room temperature for an hour before baking. Repeat with the other piece of dough.
Bake the babka:
-
When you’re ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350ºF. Use your fingers to clump streusel together and scatter all over the tops of the cakes. Transfer to the oven and bake for 30 – 40 minutes until a wooden stick inserted into the center comes out clean or an instant-read thermometer will read 210ºF.
Pour syrup:
- As soon as the cakes come out of the oven, use a skewer or paring knife to pierce the loaf all over going all the way to the bottom of the babka. Pour half of the syrup on top of the babka. Repeat with the other babka.
- Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
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