How-Tos/ Tips and Techniques

Shaping Babka

October 27, 2014

You can find the full recipe here.

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Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface and shape into a rectangle measuring 15×11 inches (38×28 cm). Position dough so that a long side is closest to you.

How to Shape Babka

How to Shape Babka

Using an offset spatula, spread half of the chocolate mixture over the rectangle, leaving a 3⁄4 inch/2 cm border all around.

How to Shape Babka

Sprinkle half of the chocolate chips (or pecans) on top of the chocolate.

How to Shape Babka

Use both hands to roll up the rectangle like a roulade, starting from the long side closest to you and ending at the other long end.

How to Shape Babka

Press to seal the dampened end onto the roulade, then use both hands to even out the roll into a perfect thick cigar. Rest the cigar on its seam.

How to Shape Babka

Trim about 3/4 inch/2 cm off both ends of the roulade with a serrated knife.
Use the knife to gently cut the roll in half lengthwise, starting at the top and finishing at the seam, essentially dividing the log into two long even halves, with the layers of dough and filling visible along the length of both halves.

How to Shape Babka

How to Shape Babka

How to Shape Babka

With the cut sides facing up, gently press together one end of each half, then lift the right half over the left half. Repeat this process, but this time lifting the left half over the right, to create a simple two-pronged plait.

How to Shape Babka

How to Shape Babka

Gently squeeze together the other ends so that you are left with the two halves, intertwined, showing the filling on top. Carefully lift the cake into a loaf pan.

How to Shape Babka

Repeat to make the second cake.

How to Shape Babka

How to Shape Babka

 See how pretty?

How to Shape Babka

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3 Comments

  • Reply
    Winnie
    October 30, 2014 at 2:50 pm

    יופי של רשומה!!
    אין כמו עוגת שמרים, ואני מדמיינת עכשיו את הריח שמופץ בבית
    יש הרבה שמתקשים באמת בעיצוב כך שהרשומה בהחלט עוזרת

  • Reply
    Max
    August 16, 2017 at 1:36 pm

    Thank you for this very clear tutorial! It is easy to follow to the T.

  • Reply
    Garry
    July 29, 2020 at 7:19 pm

    This will be my task for the weekend. Watch this space!

  • Leave a Reply