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Cinnamon Apple Babka

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Cinnamon Apple Babka is a soft, brioche-style yeast bread filled with tender spiced apples and cinnamon sugar, then twisted into a beautiful, marbled loaf. It’s a cozy and elegant treat perfect for fall mornings, holiday brunches, or gifting.

Ingredients

  • All-purpose flour
  • Active dry yeast
  • Warm milk
  • Granulated sugar
  • Eggs
  • Unsalted butter, softened
  • Salt
  • Vanilla extract
  • Apples, peeled, cored, and diced
  • Brown sugar
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Unsalted butter (for filling)
  • Lemon juice
  • Ground nutmeg (optional)
  • Granulated sugar (for syrup)
  • Water (for syrup)

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast by mixing it with warm milk and a teaspoon of sugar. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, eggs, vanilla extract, and the yeast mixture. Mix until a sticky dough forms.
  3. Add softened butter gradually and knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1–1.5 hours or until doubled.
  4. While the dough rises, cook diced apples with butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, and nutmeg until soft and caramelized. Cool completely.
  5. Punch down the dough and roll it into a rectangle on a floured surface.
  6. Spread the cooled apple filling over the dough evenly.
  7. Roll the dough tightly into a log, then slice it in half lengthwise. Twist the two halves together with cut sides facing up.
  8. Transfer the twisted loaf into a greased loaf pan and let rise for another 30–45 minutes.
  9. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 40–45 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked.
  10. While baking, prepare the syrup by boiling sugar and water until dissolved.
  11. Brush syrup over the warm babka after baking for moisture and shine.
  12. Cool slightly before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Use tart, firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for best texture.
  • Let the apple filling cool before spreading to prevent soggy dough.
  • Syrup adds moisture and shine—highly recommended.
  • To make ahead, refrigerate the dough overnight after the first rise.
  • Sprinkle chopped nuts into the filling for added crunch and flavor.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://thefamilycooking.com/cinnamon-apple-babka/