Blueberry Cream Cheese Babka (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
01 -
3 cups blueberries.
02 -
¾ cup sugar.
03 -
1 tbsp lemon juice.
04 -
8 oz cream cheese (softened).
05 -
½ cup sugar (for cream cheese filling).
06 -
4 cups all-purpose flour.
07 -
⅓ cup sugar (plus 1 tsp).
08 -
1 tsp kosher salt.
09 -
2¼ tsp active dry yeast.
10 -
1 cup milk (warmed to 100-110°F).
11 -
2 eggs.
12 -
1 tsp vanilla extract.
13 -
10 tbsp unsalted butter (softened and cubed).
14 -
⅓ cup sugar (for syrup).
15 -
⅓ cup water.
# Instructions:
01 -
In a saucepan, combine blueberries, ¾ cup sugar, and 1 tbsp lemon juice. Cook over medium heat for about 15 minutes, stirring until thickened. Transfer to the fridge to cool.
02 -
For the dough, start by activating the yeast: combine 1 cup warm milk, 1 tsp sugar, and 2¼ tsp active dry yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until foamy.
03 -
In a large bowl, mix together eggs, vanilla extract, ⅓ cup sugar, and salt. Add the yeast mixture and gradually incorporate 4 cups of flour, mixing until a dough forms.
04 -
Knead in the softened butter, one cube at a time, until fully incorporated and the dough is smooth. Cover and let it rise for 1-1.5 hours or until doubled in size.
05 -
Roll the risen dough into a large rectangle. Spread the softened cream cheese mixed with ½ cup sugar evenly over the dough, followed by the cooled blueberry preserves.
06 -
Roll the dough into a log, then slice it lengthwise and twist the halves together. Place the twisted dough into a greased loaf pan and let it rise for another hour.
07 -
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the babka for 40 minutes or until golden brown.
08 -
While the babka bakes, make the sugar syrup by combining ⅓ cup sugar and ⅓ cup water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and stir until the sugar dissolves.
09 -
Once out of the oven, immediately brush the hot babka with the sugar syrup. Allow it to cool before serving.
# Notes:
01 -
This Blueberry Cream Cheese Babka is a sweet, fluffy bread filled with homemade blueberry preserves and creamy sweetened cream cheese, perfect for breakfast or dessert.
02 -
Brushing the babka with sugar syrup after baking gives it a shiny finish and keeps it moist.