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Peanut Butter-Chocolate Babkas

These dreamy baby babkas are filled with creamy peanut butter and melted pieces of chocolate, so you can twist and bake them up for breakfast or dessert. The best part? Shaping them is a breeze. You may never go back to the traditional braided loaf again.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Babkas
Yield 12 rolls

Ingredients

  • 4 1/2 cups (563g) all-purpose flour, divided
  • 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
  • 1 (0.25oz) package (7g) or 2 1/4 teaspoons Red Star Quick Rise Yeast
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons (4.5g) kosher salt (see note)
  • 1 cup (240g) plus 1 tablespoon (15g) water, divided
  • 1/2 cup (113g) plus 1 tablespoon (14g) unsalted butter, melted and divided
  • 2 large eggs (100g, room temperature and divided)
  • 1 large egg yolk (19g, room temperature)
  • 1 cup (256g) creamy peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup (30g) confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 teaspoon (4g) vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup (57g) chopped 60% cacao bittersweet chocolate

Instructions

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, stir together 4 cups (500g) flour, granulated sugar, yeast, and salt by hand.
  • ½In a small saucepan, heat 1 cup (240g) water and ½ cup (113g) melted butter over medium heat until an instant-read thermometer registers 120°F (49°C) to 130°F (54°F). Add water mixture to flour mixture, and beat at medium speed for 2 minutes. Add 1 egg (50g) and egg yolk, and beat for 2 minutes. Beat in enough of remaining ½ cup (63g) flour until a soft dough forms. (Dough will be sticky.)
  • Switch to the dough hook attachment. Beat at low speed until dough is smooth and elastic, 6 to 8 minutes.
  • Lightly oil a large bowl. Shape dough into a smooth ball, and place in bowl, turning to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm, draft-free place (75°F/24°C) until doubled in size, about 45 minutes.
  • Butter a 12-cup muffin pan.
  • In a small bowl, stir together peanut butter, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, and remaining 1 tablespoon (14g) melted butter.
  • Lightly punch down dough. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a 20x12-inch rectangle. Spread peanut butter mixture onto dough. Sprinkle with chocolate. Fold rectangle crosswise into thirds, forming a smaller rectangle, about 12x6½ inches.
  • Cut rectangle crosswise into 12 (about 1 inch) strips. Gently stretch and twist each strip; coil one strip into each prepared muffin cup, tucking end inside edge of cup to create a rounded top. Cover and let rise in a warm, draft-free place (75°F/24°C) until puffed, about 30 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 325°F (170°C).
  • In a small bowl, whisk together remaining 1 egg (50g) and remaining 1 tablespoon (15g) water. Brush tops of dough with egg wash.
  • Bake until golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted in center registers 190°F (88°C), 15 to 20 minutes. Serve warm.

Notes

Salt weight and volume vary by brand. Diamond Crystal kosher salt was used in this recipe (1 tablespoon is 9 grams). If you a have different brand or type of salt, use the weight listed in the recipe, not the volume measurement. If you do not have a scale, check your brand’s website for what the equivalent volume measurement is for the weight listed in this recipe.
 
Recipe by Bake From Scratch.