When a neighbor of ours went in for some major foot surgery – surgery that would leave him house-bound for quite a while – Kel and I thought it would be nice to drop off something comforting to help with his convalescence. I occasionally send a fresh loaf of whole grain bread this neighbor’s way – the man appreciates a good loaf of bread – but this time I wanted something a little extra special to help with the healing process.
I’m a firm believer in the healing powers of chocolate, the comforting qualities of the smell of cinnamon and the health benefits of fresh- and home-baked bread. Together those qualities must offer unbeatable rehabilitative properties, right?. And since I was going to the effort anyway, I doubled the recipe so that Kel and I could comfort ourselves, too. Thank goodness neither one of us required surgery.
Chocolate-Cinnamon Babka
Makes 2 loaves
Dough:
1 tsp. agave nectar
2 packages dry yeast
1 1/2 cups soy or almond milk, warmed
6 tbsp. maple sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tbsp. egg replacer + 3 tbsp. water (whisk together until frothy, then set aside)
1/2 tsp. salt
2 1/2 cups bread flour
3 2/3 cups whole wheat flour
8 tbsp. vegan butter (I used Earth Balance)
Filling:
1/2 cup maple sugar
1 tsp. powdered stevia
6 tbsp. cocoa powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
8 oz. semi-sweet vegan chocolate, finely chopped (chocolate chips work, too)
In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast and agave in the warm soy milk and let sit for about 5 minutes. Stir in the maple sugar, vanilla extract, salt and egg replacer mixture. Add the bread flour and about 2 cups of the whole wheat flour and stir until well-blended. Add the butter and stir again. You’ll have a very sticky dough.
Now’s the time to knead the dough. Lightly flour the counter and knead, adding whole wheat flour as needed to prevent dough from sticking too badly to your hands. You should have a soft, slightly sticky dough by the time you’re done (8-10 minutes). Place dough in a large bowl that’s been lightly sprayed with oil. Cover and let rise for an hour and a half, or until doubled in size. Punch dough down and let rest for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, prepare the filling by combining all of the ingredients in a small bowl. Line the bottom of two 9″x5″ loaf pans with parchment and lightly spritz the sides of the pan with cooking oil.
Divide the dough in two and starting with one piece (keep the other piece covered), roll it out to a 16″ square. Sprinkle filling over the dough, leaving a 1/4″ border. Roll up the dough just as you would for cinnamon rolls. Pinch the ends to seal. Holding the roll by the ends, gently twist the dough as if wringing out a towel. Fit the dough into the pan. I formed mine into a u-shape to get it into the pan. It looks funky, but comes out beautifully as it rises and bakes. Repeat with the second piece of dough.
Cover both pans with plastic wrap or a clean towel and let rise for about 45 minutes. Preheat your oven to 350F.
Bake the loaves for about 40 minutes or until nicely browned. The bottom should sound hollow when tapped. Cool the loaves in the pans for about 10 minutes before removing and allowing to cool completely on wire racks.
Babka just makes me think of that Seinfeld episode. “You can’t beat a Babka!”
Looks delicious!
Just another example of the wisdom found in Seinfeld episodes.
Well said, Annie… imagine my perfection = watching Seinfeld WHILE eating this delicious creation of yours… I’ve never tried Babka, but it looks/sounds (and most likely smells) incredible. Please be my neighbour.
That would be fun, Lou! I love that people have mentioned the Seinfeld episode – makes me want to watch it again!
Yep, chocolate is highly medicinal. You are officially the best neighbour ever – want to come live next door to me?!
Haha! Sure! Just don’t go getting your feet smashed, requiring painful surgery, okay?
No you can’t have her for a neighbor – she’s going to be MY neighbor
Chocolate cures!
It looks so tasty.
Chocolate cures!
It look so tasty.
Total Bread porn! Stop twisting my arm, ok, ok! I will make that….today…..for myself and I don’t think much sharing will be going on.
I like it! Bread porn! Believe me, it was hard to share! It took all my strength (well, Kel grabbed it from me) to share one loaf!
I’m about to cry because I just realized there is no chocolate in my pantry :/ Emergency shopping trip!!!
What Somer said, except I’ll make two, so that I can share one and keep the other all to myself.
Just so ya know – that second loaf freezes really well…
Good to know, but I don’t think I’ll be needing to freeze it….
WOW!! I want to eat the screen!! Beautiful, and so thoughtful!!
We need smell- and taste-a-vision! Thank you
!
seriously!!!
Just the photographs make me feel better, in real life it would give me super powers!
Absolutely!
As soon as I saw the picture…I knew you loved me. You must have been thinking of me when you posted this awesome recipe. You are my new BFF.
Haha! It’s true…but also, well, I was thinkin’ of myself just a little bit, too
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Beautiful! Looks like it would last 2 minutes in my house.
Exactly. Our slices kept getting thicker and thicker…
You have truly outdone yourself yet again! Your neighbour is so lucky to have you delivering treats to him! I wish you lived near me
You’re right by the way- chocolate, cinnamon and bread can do wonders for the mind, body and soul
This looks fabulous! Do you melt the earth balance before adding it to the mixture? Or when you say mix it in, do you mean cut in the chilled butter?
Thanks!
Courtney
It would probably work either way, but I used softened EB and cut it into chunks. Thanks for pointing that out!
That should surely have assured a complete recovery! Chocolate and cinnamon – definitely a winning combination. Really is a pity we’ve got so much land and sea between us!
Wow beautiful!!! – You are a great neighbor!! I am sure healing will go faster when you eat bread like that
Chocolate should be permanent on dr subscription pads
This babka looks stunning and reminds me of Seinfeld – now I know what to eat AND watch with this delicious bread
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
The chocolate chips made me think of you, of course!! Isn’t it funny how easy it is to relate real life experiences to specific Seinfeld episodes? Scary
!
You are a saint. All the more reason I would love to live next door. I know this bread made his day. It looks divine!
This looks soo good, and it’s Chris’ favorite too. I shall make ‘em. THanks for sharing your incredible talent!
Thanks, girl!
Do you remember the Bibby Babka song from Perfect Strangers? Anyway, this looks amazing! Yum!
I don’t! I’ll have to Google it and see if I can find it. Funny!
You are such a nice neighbor! That looks just scrumptious.
Oh how I look forward to my return to my own oven… well, okay I’d rather stay here at the beach, but if I HAVE to go home next weekend, perhaps I shall console myself thusly. Thanks!
Oh wow…yeah, I’d ditch my oven for a few weeks for a little sand and sea! Enjoy your time away!
This looks amazing!
This is absolutely gorgeous! I am pinning it! If you have pinterest, follow me to see it:]
Yay, Thanks! I’ll check ‘er out!
WOAH! I bet your house smelt AMAZING! All of your other neighbours will be booking themselves in for surgeries just to get some.
You have one lucky neighbor! That loaf looks just to die for! I’m imagining french toast made with it. Or peanut butter sandwiches. Or peanut butter stuffed french toast. Or just alone. Oh my goodness- this is super yum!
Dear god woman, I’m trying to lose weight here!
I love the combo of bread and chocolate. One of my indulgences used to be chocolate au pain-a buttery crossiant filled with chocolate. I’m pinning this so I can make it as a reward (to share!) when I hit my goal weight.
Oops, sorry, hehe! Oh aren’t chocolat au pain the BEST?? Now that is breakfast, my friend.
I think this would make anyone heal…..it looks amazing! How DO you do it? Gorgeous!
You are such a good friend! That’s quite fabulous & generous of you! This chocolate & cinnamon creation looks just amazing & awesome too!
You are so creative too! 
oh dear, i cant believe i fount a vegan version of this recipe! As of what it looks like its similar to the austrian “REINDLING” which you only get in the south of austria. its so famous here but of course, traditionally, a non vegan white flour , butter, sugar type version. my grandma makes the best one by using spelt flour, raw cane sugar, lots of cinnamon and juicy fair trade raisins. mabye i need to surprise with this vegan version!
Grandmothers always make the best, of course
! But I’d love to see your version, too.
I’ve been off my blog with end of school year craziness, and I officially miss your blogging (and brilliant breads, even if only in picture and word form)! I seriously wish I was eating this right now.
Hey, girl! Missed you!
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