Babka

(Bobka, Baba, Bábovka, Babka (traditional))

Babka is a sweet, rich bread that is traditionally served on Easter Sunday in Poland and other Central and Eastern European countries. The cake usually contains raisins and rum for flavoring, and it is glazed with a fruit-based icing. The name of the cake comes from the Polish word for grandmother, referring to the method of baking the dish in a Bundt mold, so when it is served, it is reminiscent of a grandmother's wide, fluted skirt.

Some believe that babka's round shape is a symbol of fertility, and while most people believe it originated in Slavic regions around Easter, some food historians claim that it came from Italy to Poland, where it was developed into a version of the classic Italian panettone.

Today, babka can be made in a variety of different flavors such as vanilla, lemon, or chocolate. It is traditionally served as an afternoon snack or a dessert, and it is recommended to pair it with a cup of hot coffee. There is also a Jewish version of the dessert in which cinnamon and chocolate are used instead of the fruit filling, and it is especially popular in North America.

Poland

Types of Babka

American Babka

4.3

United States of America, North America

Recipe variations

4.5
Traditional Easter Babka
READY IN 50min

The following is the recipe for babka wielkanocna – or Easter babka. First, the yeast is activated and then added to the ingredients for the dough, which are then mixed until a bubbly dough has formed. Then, the dough is placed in a greased bundt pan and baked immediately; no extra proofing is required. Also, because no less than 8 egg yolks should be used, the dough is a bright yellow color and has a rich taste.
4.6
Rum and Raisin Babka
READY IN 2h 45min
The following is the recipe for a raisin-studded babka. It is made with yeasted dough, which gets two rounds of rising. The recipe also suggests soaking the babka with rum-based icing, which pairs beautifully with raisins.
4.7
Babka with White Chocolate Glaze
READY IN 4h 15min
The following recipe shows how to make a juicy babka with raisins, almonds, and orange peel. It is made with yeasted dough rich in yolks, butter, and cream. A white chocolate glaze is enriched with orange juice and grated orange peel, which gives a fresh, zesty note to this delicious dessert.