Looking for an original Christmas cake recipe? Archie presents the recipe for the essential Christmas babka. This cake originates from Poland and is a kind of braided brioche with a twist.
Ingredients
For the apple butter:
- 50 g of brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon of Archie
- 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
- 250 ml of organic apples
- 4 organic apples
- A pinch of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon cloves
- 2/3 cups of water
For the Babka dough:
- 2 egg yolks + 1 egg, beaten
- 120 ml of milk (vegetable or not)
- 2 sachets of baking powder
- 250g of flour
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 75 g softened butter
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/2 tsp vanilla powder
- 2 tablespoons of maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons of white sugar
Cinnamon powder, chopped pecans
(Optional) For the finishing syrup:
- 2 tablespoons of white sugar
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
- 330 ml of water
Step 1: Prepare the apple butter
- Peel, core, and dice the apples. Place them in a large nonstick saucepan.
- Add the juice and spices and bring to a boil.
- Add the water and cover with a lid, reduce to a simmer for about 2 hours and stir regularly to ensure the apples don't burn!
- Add water if your apples need more time, the apples need to soften enough so that they can be mashed easily.
- Remove from heat and let cool completely.
- Transfer the apples to a food processor and pulse until they form a thick, applesauce-like texture.
- Store for up to 3 weeks in an airtight container!
Step 2: Make the babka dough
- In a small bowl, mix the yeast into the warm milk and set aside for 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, add the egg mixture, sugar, maple syrup, almond extract, vanilla, and yeast mixture and whisk.
- Add the flour in two batches, and mix until incorporated.
- Add the butter gradually, and bring the dough together.
- Cover with a towel for 30 minutes.
- On a floured surface, knead the dough until smooth, then divide it into two equal pieces.
- Place both in bowls and cover with cling film, then set aside for 2 hours at room temperature. Your dough will expand in volume!!!
- Move it onto a floured surface and roll it out into a rectangle, not too thin!
- Spread the apple butter evenly over the rectangle, leaving about an inch around the edge, then carefully roll it up lengthwise to form a log (seam side down).
- Repeat for the second piece of dough.
- Carefully cut each log vertically (seam down).
- Braid the four pieces into the desired shape, tucking the ends under. Carefully transfer to a baking sheet.
- Cover with a towel and let stand for 30 minutes.
- Brush the babka with egg yolk and garnish with cinnamon sugar, pecans, etc.
- Bake at 375F for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through, keep a close eye on them.
Step 3: Shape the babka
- While the babka bakes, prepare the simple syrup. Bring the water and sugar to a boil.
- Simmer for one more minute over low heat, then remove from the stove.
- Brush the hot babka with the syrup, then set aside to cool.
Enjoy <3
