Poppy Seed Babka

Poppy Seed Babka Recipe: A Delicious Twist on a Classic Dessert
Poppy Seed Babka is a traditional Eastern European sweet bread that is perfect for any occasion. This delicious dessert is made with a rich, buttery dough that is filled with a sweet and nutty poppy seed filling. The result is a mouth-watering treat that is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.
Ingredients:

For the dough:

- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup warm water
- 1/2 cup warm milk
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tsp salt

For the filling:

- 1 cup poppy seeds
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Mix well.
2. In a separate bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it becomes frothy.
3. Add the yeast mixture, warm milk, eggs, and softened butter to the flour mixture. Mix until a soft dough forms.
4. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
5. Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it with a damp cloth. Let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours until it doubles in size.
6. While the dough is rising, prepare the filling. In a saucepan, combine the poppy seeds, milk, honey, raisins, walnuts, melted butter, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until the mixture thickens.
7. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch loaf pan.
8. Roll out the dough on a floured surface into a rectangle. Spread the filling evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges.
9. Roll up the dough tightly, starting from the long side. Pinch the edges to seal.
10. Place the rolled dough into the greased loaf pan. Cover it with a damp cloth and let it rise for another 30 minutes.
11. Bake the babka for 35-40 minutes until it becomes golden brown.
12. Let the babka cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
13. Slice and serve the Poppy Seed Babka warm or at room temperature.
Appearance and Taste:
Poppy Seed Babka is a beautiful, golden-brown bread with a swirl of sweet and nutty filling. The bread is soft and fluffy, while the filling is rich and flavorful. The combination of poppy seeds, raisins, and walnuts creates a unique and delicious taste that is sure to impress.
Type of Dish: Sweet Bread
Main Ingredients: Poppy Seeds, Raisins, Walnuts