Chocolate Hazelnut Babka

recipe

• Step 1
  Mix the warm milk with a teaspoon of sugar and the yeast. Mix together and let it activate for 10 minutes.
• Step 2
  Add the flour, sugar, and a teaspoon of salt to a bowl and mix.
• Step 3
  Next, add the milk/yeast mixture to the bowl and mix using a spoon.
• Step 4
  Add the eggs one by one and mix until incorporated. Mix well with the spoon to make sure there are no lumps.
• Step 5
  Next add the butter (cut into small pieces at room temperature). Mix rigorously!
• Step 6
  Continue mixing until completely mixed and your dough starts to get elastic. This is the gluten starting to activate!
• Step 7
  Cover the bowl with a damp dish towel and let it rise for an hour and a half in a warm place. The dough should double in size.
• Step 8
  After an hour and a half, gently hit the dough with your hand to let out the air.
• Step 9
  Cover with plastic wrap and leave it in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
• Step 10
  Roughly chop the hazelnuts using a knife.
• Step 11
  Grease a loaf pan with butter and cover with parchment paper.
• Step 12
  Remove the dough from the refrigerator. It should have gotten slightly hard. Place it on a work surface covered with flour.
• Step 13
  Form a ball and then roll it out to form a large rectangle. The dough will be sticky which is normal. This means it will be fluffy and moist.
• Step 14
  Spread a layer of the chocolate-hazelnut spread and then the chopped hazelnuts. Be very delicate so you don't pierce the dough!
• Step 15
  Using your hands, carefully roll into a log.
• Step 16
  Cut the log in half lengthwise.
• Step 17
  Press together the two pieces on one end and then twist the dough, pressing the other ends together when you finish.
• Step 18
  Delicately place the twisted dough into the loaf pan. Sprinkle with some extra hazelnuts.
• Step 19
  Bake for 40 minutes at 160°C.
• Step 20
  After removing from the oven, make a syrup by bringing equal parts sugar and water to a boil for 2 minutes.
• Step 21
  Brush the top of the babka with the syrup. Cut into slices and enjoy!