Irresistible Jam-Filled Babka: A Cozy Homemade Recipe

Crafting a jaw-dropping jam-filled babka changes ordinary baking into an extraordinary culinary adventure.

Sweet dough spirals with luxurious fruity swirls capture bakers’ imaginations and taste buds.

Soft, pillowy layers promise decadent moments of pure comfort and indulgence.

Delicate strands of enriched bread intertwine with vibrant fruit preserves, creating mesmerizing visual and gustatory experiences.

The dance between tender dough and luscious jam elevates this classic treat beyond simple pastry.

Intricate twists and rich textures invite you to embrace a delightful baking journey that celebrates tradition with a modern twist.

Why Jam-Filled Babka Is Always a Good Idea

• Burst of Fruity Freshness: Homemade raspberry jam creates a vibrant, tangy flavor that dances across your taste buds, transforming an ordinary bread into an extraordinary treat.
• Master Artisan Technique: The intricate twisting method and careful rolling process make this babka a stunning showpiece that looks like it's straight from a professional bakery, yet totally achievable for home bakers.
• Comfort in Every Slice: Soft, pillowy dough combined with sweet-tart jam delivers a warm, comforting experience that feels like a culinary hug, perfect for lazy weekend mornings or special afternoon tea moments.

Ingredients That Make This Jam-Filled Babka Shine

• Raspberries: Sweet and tart berries that create a vibrant, homemade jam filling.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps thicken the jam for a rich consistency.
• Lemon Juice: Adds brightness and helps set the jam with natural pectin.

• Flour: The foundation of the babka, creating a soft and stretchy bread base.
• Yeast: Essential for helping the dough rise and develop a light, airy texture.
• Eggs: Add richness and help bind the dough together.
• Milk: Provides moisture and helps activate the yeast for proper rising.
• Butter: Contributes to a tender, soft texture and adds richness to the babka.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness.

• Cornstarch: Helps thicken the jam and create a smooth, consistent texture.
• Water: Used for creating jam consistency and making the sugar glaze.

Steps for Baking a Beautiful Jam Babka

Step 1: Create Vibrant Raspberry Jam

• Combine fresh raspberries
• Sugar
• Cornstarch
• Water
• Optional: Lemon juice

Boil mixture for 5 minutes, then simmer 5-10 minutes until thickened. Blend for smoother texture if desired. Let cool completely.

Step 2: Prepare Soft Babka Dough

Preheat oven to 340°F (170°C). Line 8-inch (20 cm) loaf pan with parchment paper. In stand mixer with dough hook, mix all dough ingredients. Knead 5-10 minutes until elastic and smooth. Cover and let rise 1 hour in warm spot.

Step 3: Shape Delicious Babka Roll

Dust work surface with flour. Roll dough into 10 x 8 inch rectangle. Spread cooled raspberry jam evenly, leaving small border. Carefully roll into tight log. Slice log lengthwise, then twist pieces together. Place in prepared loaf pan.

Step 4: Allow Second Rise

Let shaped babka rise additional 1 hour at room temperature until puffy and expanded.

Step 5: Bake Golden Babka

Bake 30-40 minutes until deep golden brown. If browning too quickly, cover with aluminum foil and reduce oven temperature.

Step 6: Create Sweet Glaze

While babka bakes, dissolve sugar in water over medium heat. Once babka is out of oven, immediately pour glaze over warm bread.

Step 7: Cool and Serve

Allow babka to cool in pan for 15 minutes. Transfer to wire rack. Slice and enjoy warm or at room temperature.

Tips for Swirled, Moist Jam-Filled Babka

• Master Jam Consistency: Cook raspberries slowly to achieve a thick, spreadable texture without burning, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
• Knead Like a Pro: Work the dough until it becomes silky and elastic, stretching smoothly without tearing, indicating proper gluten development.
• Roll with Precision: Use a lightly floured surface and roll dough evenly to ensure uniform jam distribution and beautiful spiral patterns.
• Prevent Overbrowning: Keep aluminum foil nearby to gently cover babka if top browns too quickly during baking, maintaining a golden color.
• Glaze for Shine: Pour warm sugar syrup immediately after baking to create a glossy, sweet finish that locks in moisture and adds a professional touch.

How to Store and Enjoy Leftover Babka

• Refrigeration: Wrap the cooled babka tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and prevent drying out. Always let the babka reach room temperature before serving.
• Freezing: Slice the babka and place pieces between parchment paper in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature for 2-3 hours before enjoying.
• Reheating: Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a preheated oven at 150°C (300°F) for 5-7 minutes. This method helps restore the babka's soft texture and brings out its delicious jam-filled flavor.

Best Pairings for Jam-Filled Babka Slices

• Pair with Raspberry Prosecco: Elevate the babka's fruity notes by serving a chilled glass of raspberry-infused prosecco, which complements the jam's tartness and adds a celebratory touch.
• Match with Creamy Mascarpone Spread: Create a luxurious accompaniment by whipping mascarpone with a touch of honey, offering a smooth, rich contrast to the babka's sweet and tangy flavors.
• Serve with Almond Cream Coffee: Brew a strong espresso and add a splash of almond milk, creating a nutty, aromatic drink that beautifully balances the babka's sweetness and enhances its complex texture.
• Complement with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Serve a scoop of premium vanilla bean ice cream alongside the warm babka, allowing the cold, creamy dessert to melt slightly and create a delightful flavor fusion.

Delicious Ways to Twist Your Jam Babka

• Berry Bonanza: Swap raspberries with mixed berries like strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries for a vibrant, multicolored jam filling that adds complexity to the traditional recipe.
• Chocolate Swirl Sensation: Replace jam with a rich chocolate spread or Nutella, creating a decadent version that transforms the classic babka into a more indulgent treat.
• Nutty Crunch Companion: Sprinkle chopped almonds or walnuts over the jam before rolling the dough, introducing a delightful textural element and nutty flavor profile to the babka.
• Citrus Zest Boost: Add orange or lemon zest to the dough and incorporate a splash of corresponding citrus juice into the jam for a bright, refreshing twist on the original recipe.

Jam-Filled Babka Delight Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Polish babka weaves sweet raspberry jam through rich, buttery swirls of enriched dough, creating a mesmerizing dessert that celebrates classic Eastern European baking. Generous ribbons of fruity preserve wind through tender layers, offering pure comfort with each delicious slice.

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Ingredients

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Filling:

• 1 cup (110 grams) fresh or frozen raspberries
• 3 tablespoons (40 grams) granulated sugar, or liquid sweetener to taste
• 2 tablespoons (14 grams) cornstarch / corn flour
• 1 squeeze of lemon juice, optional

Dough:

• 2 ½ – 3 cups (315 – 375 grams) all-purpose plain flour, or bread flour
• ⅔ cup (165 grams) dairy-free milk, warm
• ½ cup (112 grams) vegan butter, room temperature
• 3 tablespoons (40 grams) granulated sugar, or coconut sugar
• 1 tablespoon (10 grams) instant dry yeast
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 pinch of salt

Topping:

• ¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons (30 grams) water

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Instructions

1. Craft a luscious raspberry compote by combining fresh raspberries, granulated sugar, cornstarch, and a splash of water in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a robust boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer for 7-10 minutes until the sauce thickens and develops a rich, glossy texture.
2. Optional: Puree the compote using an immersion blender for a silkier consistency. Allow the jam to cool completely while preparing the dough.
3. Activate the dough preparation by warming milk to lukewarm temperature. Combine flour, active dry yeast, granulated sugar, salt, eggs, and softened butter in a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment.
4. Knead the dough for 8-10 minutes until it becomes elastic, smooth, and pulls away from the sides of the mixing bowl. Transfer to a lightly greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let rise in a warm environment for 60-75 minutes until doubled in volume.
5. Flour a clean work surface generously. Roll the risen dough into a rectangular shape measuring approximately 10 inches by 8 inches (25 centimeters by 20 centimeters).
6. Spread the cooled raspberry compote evenly across the dough, leaving a small border around the edges to prevent filling from leaking during rolling.
7. Carefully roll the dough into a tight log, starting from the longer side. Using a sharp knife, slice the log lengthwise, creating two equal halves.
8. Twist the two dough strands together, creating an intricate braided pattern. Gently transfer the twisted dough into a parchment-lined 8-inch (20-centimeter) loaf pan.
9. Allow the shaped babka to undergo a second rise for 45-60 minutes in a draft-free area until it becomes puffy and fills the pan.
10. Preheat the oven to 340°F (170°C). Bake the babka for 35-40 minutes, watching carefully to prevent excessive browning. If the top browns too quickly, loosely tent with aluminum foil.
11. While the babka bakes, prepare a simple sugar glaze by dissolving granulated sugar in water over medium heat until completely transparent and slightly thickened.
12. Immediately after removing the babka from the oven, brush the hot bread generously with the sugar glaze, allowing it to seep into the warm, delicate crumb.
13. Let the glazed babka cool in the pan for 15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely, allowing the flavors to meld and the texture to set.

Notes

• Jam Preparation Tip: Simmer raspberry mixture until thickened, blending for smoother texture ensures a rich, concentrated filling that won’t make the dough soggy.
• Dough Handling Hack: Knead thoroughly until stretchy and let rise in a warm, draft-free spot to develop optimal bread structure and flavor.
• Rolling Technique: Use a floured surface when shaping to prevent sticking, creating clean layers and preventing jam from leaking during baking.
• Baking Precision: Watch the babka closely, covering with foil if browning too quickly prevents burning while ensuring even, golden coloration.
• Glaze Application: Pour warm sugar syrup immediately after baking to create a glossy, sweet exterior that locks in moisture and adds shine.
• Storage Recommendation: Cool completely before slicing, then store at room temperature wrapped in plastic or in an airtight container to maintain freshness for 2-3 days.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Eastern European

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 180 kcal
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 100 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 26 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg