Babka

2½ tsp. active dry yeast
3½ c. all-purpose flour
½ tsp. salt
2 tbsp. white sugar
2 tbsp. unsalted butter or margarine
1 c. + 2 tbsp. milk
2 large eggs
½ tsp. vanilla extract


All ingredients must be at room temperature, unless otherwise noted. Add ingredients in the order specified in your bread machine owner’s manual. Set bread machine on dough/manual setting. At the end of the program, press clear/stop. To punch dough down. Press start and let knead for 60 seconds. Press clear/stop again. Remove dough and let rest 5 minutes before hand-shaping.

While the dough is rising, prepare desired filling, crumb topping, and egg wash.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Form a crease in the top of the risen babka with the side of your hand. Brush with egg wash and cover with crumb topping. Bake approximately 30 to 35 minutes, or until golden brown. If babka begins to brown too quickly, cover top with foil. Remove from pan and cool on a wire rack.

YIELD: 12 servings

Crumb Topping
2 tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
¼ c. white sugar ¼ c. all-purpose flour
¼ tsp. ground cinnamon

Mix all ingredients together.

Egg Wash
1 large egg white 1 tsp. water

Beat water into egg white.