Prep
35 MinsBake
45 minsServes
8 to 10Difficulty
Hard About
This beautiful chocolate babka is a type of sweet bread made with super soft, enriched dough. The dough gets twisted and shaped into an eye-catching pattern and filled with chocolate and hazelnuts for a delicious treat. Perfect companion to your cup of coffee!
Lightly grease 2 litre loaf tin with butter and set aside.
Place the milk and 40 g of butter into a small saucepan over a small heat and warm it up gently, allowing the butter to melt. Do not let the milk boil. Remove from the heat and set aside.
Place the flour, sugar, salt and yeast into the bowl of a freestanding mixer fitted with the hook attachment and stir to combine. Create a well in the middle, then pour the milk and butter mixture into it, followed by an egg. Use a wooden spoon to briefly mix the ingredients together, then turn the mixer on and continue to mix the dough on medium-high speed for about 10 minutes until smooth.
Gradually, start adding the butter, about a tablespoon at a time, making sure that each addition is well combined and incorporated, before adding some more. Mix for a couple more minutes, until you have very smooth and elastic dough. Cover the bowl with the clingfilm and leave to rise somewhere warm for about an hour, or until double in size. Transfer the dough into the fridge for another 30 minutes.
Prepare the chocolate filling. Place the butter and the sugar in a small saucepan over a small heat and allow to melt. Add the chocolate and cocoa powder and stir to combine. Set aside and allow to cool.
Flour the work surface and transfer the dough into it. Using the rolling pin, roll the dough into a rectangle, roughly about 30 x 50 cm (keep moving the dough and dusting it with an extra flour if necessary). Spread the chocolate filling over the dough and sprinkle with chopped hazelnuts. Starting with the long edge, roll the dough into a tight log.
Keeping the seam underneath, slice the dough lengthways through the centre, leaving the halves attached at one end. Twist the two strands around each other, then place into the loaf tin. Cover with clingfilm and allow to prove for 30 minutes. Heat the oven to 180C (160C fan).
Brush the top of the dough with an eggwash and bake for 1 hour, covering the babka loosely with some kitchen foil after 30 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the sugar syrup by placing the sugar and water in a saucepan over a medium heat. Allow the sugar to melt completely, then cook for another 5 minutes, or until reduced by half.
Remove babka from the oven and brush it generously with the sugar syrup, while it is still warm. Transfer into a cooling rack and allow to cool completely before slicing and enjoying it!
TOP TIP
Chilled dough is much easier to work with and much easier to shape. You can roll the dough into a log, then transfer the log into the fridge for another 30 minutes. This will also allow the chocolate filling to set some more. Twisting and shaping babka will be much easier.
This recipe was created by food photographer Anna. You can find more of her delicious recipes through her Instagram channel @anna_wierzbinska
Ingredients – 7 items
1
For the babka dough
Milk
Butter
Room temperature
strong white bread flour
Tate & Lyle Fairtrade Pure Cane Caster Sugar
Salt
Fast-action dried yeast
Large eggs
extra egg for eggwash
For the sugar syrup (optional)
Tate & Lyle Fairtrade Pure Cane Caster Sugar
Water
Rate this recipe!
Share your thoughts or advice
Good job, now enjoy!
Don't forget to share your creation using our hashtags in the chance to get featured.
Dreaming of the perfect iced latte? ☕✨
We’ve got just the thing… enter our giveaway for the chance to win 2x Smooth Edge glasses and our Tate & Lyle’s Barista Coffee Syrup set, everything you need to level up your at-home brews.
Want to win? Here’s how to enter:
1️⃣ Follow @tateandlylesugars
2️⃣ Like this post ❤️
3️⃣ Tag your coffee-loving friends in the comments!
Time to upgrade your coffee game… good luck! ☕💫
Competition ends at 10:00am on 13th April 2026. Must be a UK resident and 18+ to enter. Entries can be made via the Instagram or Facebook posts. One winner will be randomly selected by Tate & Lyle Sugars. The winner will be contacted directly by Tate & Lyle Sugars to arrange delivery of the prizes. Prizes may take 30 days to arrive. Prizes cannot be changed. This offer is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered or associated with Meta. Failure by the winner to accept the prize within 10 days will result in another winner being chosen. Please do not reply to any other account regarding this competition apart from @tateandlylesugars. Please click the link in our bio for the full list of T&Cs.
Bake something egg-stra special this Easter 🐣🍫
These rich, fudgy Easter brownies are made with Tate & Lyle Sugars Caster Sugar for a perfectly smooth sweetness in every bite. Finished with chocolate and mini eggs, they’re the ultimate Easter bake for sharing.
Find the full recipe via the link in our bio.
Rhubarb season is here, and it’s made for classic bakes 🌸
�This Rhubarb Crumble is topped with a golden, buttery finish thanks to Tate & Lyle Dark Brown Soft Sugar, adding a rich depth of flavour that perfectly complements the sharp fruit beneath.
#SeasonalProduce #RhubarbSeason #TateAndLyleBakes
This Mother’s Day, say it with something sweet 💐
�Our Sweet Ways to Make Mum’s Day are full of easy, heartfelt ideas to help you create treats she’ll truly love… Because homemade always means more.
#MothersDayTreats #SweetInspiration #TateAndLyleBakes
Citrus flavours are having a moment fresh, vibrant, and perfect for lighter, feel-good cooking 🍊✨
�This Seared Citrus Chicken gets a subtle caramelised sweetness from Tate & Lyle Light Brown Soft Sugar, balancing zesty citrus with rich, savoury flavours for a dish that feels restaurant quality.
A simple way to bring bold flavour to everyday meals.
#CitrusFlavours #FeelGoodFood #HomeCooking
Did you know you can infuse your sugar with extra flavour? ✨
�From citrus zest to vanilla pods and herbs, infused sugar is a simple way to add something special to everyday bakes, drinks, and desserts. Swipe through to see how easy it is to make at home and get inspired to create your own flavour combinations.
#BakingTips #KitchenHacks #InfusedSugar #TateAndLyleBakes
Set the mood this Valentine’s Day with at-home cocktails made extra special 💕🍸
�Our Beverage Syrups Gift Pack features three indulgent flavours, Vanilla, Caramel and Hazelnut, perfect for enhancing romantic drinks without leaving the house. Whether it’s a cosy night in or a toast to love, these syrups add a delicious twist to every pour.
Available to purchase on Amazon! (Link in bio)
#ValentinesAtHome #CocktailNight #TateAndLyleSyrups
Share a little love this Valentine’s Day with homemade Meringue Love Hearts 💗
Light, crisp and delicately sweet, these pretty treats are made with Tate & Lyle Golden Caster Sugar for a beautifully smooth finish and irresistible sweetness.
They’re easy to personalise too. Customise the flavours, colours or toppings to match what your loved one enjoys most, making them perfect for gifting, sharing, or enjoying together.
#ValentinesDayBakes #MeringueLoveHearts #TateAndLyleBakes
Our Products
View all products
