Chocolate Pie Babka Recipe: A Sweet Spiral of Heavenly Bliss

Swirls of decadent chocolate dance through a pillowy babka that speaks to the soul of comfort baking.

This babka recipe weaves rich, dark chocolate into tender layers of yeasted dough with irresistible charm.

Soft, buttery strands pull apart to reveal pockets of melted chocolate that glisten with promise.

Each slice tells a story of tradition and warmth, blending Eastern European baking magic with pure indulgence.

The intricate braiding and chocolate swirls create a pastry that looks far more complicated than it actually is to prepare.

Bakers of all skill levels can master this stunning chocolate pie babka that turns an ordinary morning into a delightful celebration.

Your kitchen will fill with an aroma that beckons everyone to the table, eager for a sweet slice of pure bliss.

How to Shape and Bake Chocolate Pie Babka

• Dough Preparation

Create a soft, pillowy dough using flour, eggs, and yeast. Let the mixture rise slowly, developing rich flavor and delicate texture.

• Chocolate Filling Creation

Melt chocolate and butter together, blending with brown sugar and corn syrup to create a luxurious, glossy chocolate spread that will weave through the bread.

• Dough Rolling

Stretch the dough into a thin rectangle, transforming it into a canvas for the decadent chocolate mixture. Sprinkle chopped pecans across the surface for nutty crunch.

• Intricate Shaping

Carefully roll the dough into a log, then slice lengthwise. Twist the two halves together, creating a beautiful spiral that promises delightful chocolate swirls in every slice.

• Baking Magic

Slide the shaped loaf into a warm oven, watching as it transforms into a golden-brown masterpiece. The kitchen will fill with an irresistible aroma of chocolate and toasted nuts.

• Cooling and Serving

Allow the babka to rest and settle, letting the flavors meld and the texture become perfectly tender. Slice and serve, revealing the stunning chocolate layers within.

Tips to Elevate Your Chocolate Pie Babka Flavor

• Replace pecans with almonds, walnuts, or hazelnuts for a different crunch and depth of flavor in your babka.
• Add a sprinkle of cinnamon or orange zest to the chocolate filling for an unexpected and delightful taste dimension.
• Use gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising the babka's rich texture.

Serving Suggestions for Chocolate Pie Babka

• Breakfast Companion: Slice this chocolate pecan babka and pair it with a creamy cappuccino or strong black coffee for a delightful morning treat.
• Sweet Afternoon Snack: Enjoy a warm piece with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or dollop of fresh whipped cream as a decadent midday indulgence.
• Dessert Centerpiece: Serve alongside fresh berries or as a stunning finale to a dinner party, letting its beautiful twisted shape become a conversation starter.
• Gift of Love: Wrap individual slices in parchment paper and share with friends and family as a homemade edible gift that shows personal care and baking skill.

Storage Tips to Keep Chocolate Pie Babka Soft

• Fresh Slice Storage: Keep your chocolate pie babka wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil at room temperature for 2-3 days. The cool, dark pantry provides the best environment to maintain its soft texture.
• Refrigeration Strategy: When storing longer than 3 days, place the babka in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This method extends its freshness up to one week while preventing moisture loss.
• Freezing Technique: Slice the babka before freezing for easier future enjoyment. Wrap individual portions in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Frozen babka stays delicious for up to 2 months when properly sealed.
• Reheating Magic: Revive chilled or frozen babka by warming it briefly in the oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes. A quick toast brings back the original soft texture and enhances the chocolate's rich aroma, making each slice taste freshly baked.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 320 kcal

Servings: 9

Chocolate Pie Babka: Ingredients You’ll Need

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and texture to the babka, choose unbleached for better flavor and nutrition.
• Active Dry Yeast: Magical ingredient that makes dough rise, ensure it's fresh and not expired for perfect rising.
• Granulated Sugar: Feeds yeast and adds subtle sweetness, opt for fine-grain sugar for smooth incorporation.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness, use high-quality salt for best results.

• Unsalted Butter: Creates rich, tender crumb and adds luxurious moisture, select high-fat content European-style butter.
• Large Egg, Large Egg Yolk: Provides richness, structure, and golden color, choose fresh farm eggs for best flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warm aromatic notes, use pure vanilla for most authentic taste.

• Bittersweet Chocolate: Delivers deep, complex chocolate flavor, select high-quality chocolate with 60-70% cocoa content.
• Light Brown Sugar: Adds caramel-like sweetness and moisture to filling, choose soft, fresh brown sugar.
• Light Corn Syrup: Creates smooth, glossy filling texture, ensures even chocolate distribution.
• Pecans: Provides delightful crunch and nutty undertones, select fresh, whole pecan halves for best quality.

Tools Required for Braiding Chocolate Pie Babka

• Stand mixer with dough hook: Essential for mixing and kneading the babka dough smoothly.
• 8 1/2-inch loaf pan: Perfect for shaping and baking the babka.
• Liquid measuring cup: Helps measure warm water accurately for yeast activation.
• Microwave-safe bowl: Needed for melting chocolate and butter.
• Whisk: Great for combining chocolate filling ingredients smoothly.
• Large serrated knife: Crucial for cutting the dough log in half.
• Small bowl: Used for beating egg white.
• Work surface: Provides space for rolling out dough.
• Wire rack: Helps cool the babka after baking.
• Skewer or instant-read thermometer: Optional tool for checking doneness.

Decadent Chocolate Pie Babka Recipe

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4.8 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Rich layers of chocolate swirl through this classic chocolate pie babka, inspired by Eastern European baking traditions. Delicate, buttery dough and intense chocolate create a memorable dessert you’ll savor with each indulgent slice.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 (¼ oz/7 g) packet active dry yeast (2 ¼ tsp)
• 8 tbsps (1 stick/113 g) unsalted butter or margarine
• ¼ cup plus 1 tsp granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 large egg white
• ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
• ¼ cup lukewarm water
• 1 ½ oz (42 g) bittersweet chocolate
• 1 cup pecan halves
• 2 tbsps unsalted butter or margarine
• 3 tbsps light corn syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp kosher salt
• 1/8 tsp kosher salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare Loaf Pan: Generously coat the entire interior with softened butter, ensuring complete and uniform coverage.
2. Activate Yeast: Combine yeast with warm water and sugar, allowing the mixture to become frothy and fragrant for approximately 10 minutes.
3. Create Dough: Utilize a stand mixer to blend activated yeast, softened butter, sugar, flour, eggs, vanilla, and salt, kneading until a smooth, elastic dough forms.
4. First Rise: Position the dough in a warm, draft-free environment, permitting it to expand and become substantially puffy, roughly one hour.
5. Craft Chocolate Filling: Gently melt chocolate and butter, then incorporate brown sugar, corn syrup, vanilla, and salt into a luxurious, glossy mixture.
6. Shape and Fill: Roll the dough into a thin rectangular shape on a floured surface, meticulously spreading the chocolate filling and scattering chopped pecans, leaving a small border.
7. Form Babka: Tightly roll the dough from the bottom edge, creating a compact log, then slice lengthwise to reveal intricate layers. Intertwine the halves to create a dramatic spiral pattern.
8. Final Preparation: Transfer the twisted dough into the buttered loaf pan, brush with egg white, and sprinkle reserved pecans on top for enhanced texture and visual appeal.
9. Bake and Cool: Place in a preheated oven until the babka achieves a rich, golden-brown crust. Remove and allow gradual cooling in the pan, then transfer to a wire rack for complete stabilization before serving.

Notes

• Activate Yeast Precisely: Ensure water is between 100-110°F for optimal yeast activation without killing the microorganisms.
• Handle Dough Gently: Minimal kneading creates a tender, soft texture; overworking can make the babka tough and dense.
• Temperature Control Matters: Let dough rise in a draft-free, warm spot around 80-85°F for ideal fermentation and volume.
• Prevent Soggy Bottom: Place loaf pan on the lower oven rack to guarantee a crisp, well-baked bottom crust without burning.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg