Babka

Be sure to give yourself a good head start time-wise by starting preparation several hours ahead or even the day before. This traditional bread-like cake hails from Poland.

Recipe Ingredients:

Dough:
2 1/2 to 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups bread flour
1 1/4 cups (3/4 pound) unsalted butter, softened
2 tablespoons active dry yeast
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup warm water
1/2 cup milk
1 cup sour cream
3 large egg yolks
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons grated lemon rind
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon rum extract
1/4 teaspoon lemon extract
1/4 teaspoon orange extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract

Filling:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar, packed
4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 cup raisins or currants (or combination of both)
1/2 cup dried cherries or cranberries (optional)
1 cup chopped almonds, pecans or walnuts

Egg Wash:
1 large egg beaten with 1 to 2 tablespoons milk

Powdered sugar for dusting

Cooking Directions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour and the bread flour. Using a pastry cutter, cut butter into flours to create a crumbly mixture.
2. Combine the yeast, sugar, salt, water, milk, sour cream, egg yolks, lemon juice, lemon rind and extracts together in another bowl, then stir into the flour mixture, adding enough of the remaining 1 cup all-purpose flour as needed to form a soft dough.
3. Knead dough several minutes on a lightly floured work surface, then place in a well-greased bowl, turning dough over once, and cover. Refrigerate a minimum of 4 hours to overnight.
4. Gently deflate dough. On a lightly floured work surface, roll dough into a large, thin rectangle.
5. Combine ingredients for filling and sprinkle evenly over dough. Roll up (as for jelly roll) and place in a well-greased tube pan.
6. Brush with egg wash and make slits on top with a razor or sharp paring knife. Cover lightly with plastic wrap. Let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes.
7. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
8. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until done. Cool for 10 to 15 minutes in pan on wire rack before removing. Cool completely on wire rack. Dust generously with powdered sugar before serving.

Makes 12 servings.