Genie's Southern Kitchen

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From: <NOBR>

BettyGa1</NOBR> (Original Message)

Sent: 1/12/2007 1:42 AM

Be sure to give yourself a good head start time-wise by starting preparation several hours ahead or even the day before. This traditional bread-like cake originally hails from Poland.

Babka - Bread Machine Recipe

Dough:
1 1/4 cups (3/4 pound) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup warm water
1/2 cup milk
1 cup sour cream
3 large egg yolks
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons grated lemon rind
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon rum extract
1/4 teaspoon lemon extract
1/4 teaspoon orange extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups bread flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons active dry yeast

Filling:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar, packed
4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 cup raisins or currants (or combination of both)
1/2 cup dried cherries or cranberries (optional)
1 cup chopped almonds, pecans or walnuts

Egg Wash:
1 large egg beaten with 1 to 2 tablespoons milk

Powdered sugar for dusting

Place dough ingredients into bread machine pan in the order given or according to the manufacturer. Set machine for Dough Cycle and press Start. Once cycle has started, check to see that all ingredients are being incorporated well, giving it a little help as needed.
When cycle is complete, place dough in a well-greased bowl, turning over once, and cover. Refrigerate a minimum of 4 hours to overnight.
Gently deflate dough. On a lightly floured work surface, roll dough into a large, thin rectangle.
Combine ingredients for filling and sprinkle evenly over dough. Roll up (as for jelly roll) and place in a well-greased tube pan.
Brush with egg wash and make slits on top with a razor or sharp paring knife. Cover lightly with plastic wrap. Let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350*F (175*C).
Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until done. Cool for 10 to 15 minutes in pan on wire rack before removing. Cool completely on wire rack. Dust generously with powdered sugar before serving.

Makes 12 servings.

From: <NOBR>

Genie·</NOBR>

Sent: 7/9/2007 3:37 PM

Babka

2 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
3 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup + 2 tbl. milk
2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

CHOCOLATE FILLING:
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup melted unsalted butter
1/3 cup coarsely chopped pecans

TOPPING:
1 tablespoon butter, softened
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons flour
2 pinches cinnamon

EGG WASH:
1 large egg beaten with 1 tsp. water

All ingredients must be at room temperature. Add ingredients in the order specified in your owner's manual. Set machine to dough/manual setting. At the end of the cycle, press clear/stop. To punch down dough, press start and let knead for 60 seconds. Press clear/stop again. Remove dough and let rest 5 minutes before hand-shaping.

Hand Shaping Technique: While the dough is rising, prepare the filling by blending ingredients together with a fork until crumbly. To make crumb topping, blend ingredients together with a fork until crumbly. Chill both until ready to use. Lightly grease a 4-1/2x8-1/2 inch loaf pan. On a lightly floured work surface, roll the dough into a 10x20 inch rectangle. Cover with filling up to 1 inch from the edges. Roll up lengthwise, jelly roll fashion. Pinch seam and ends securely together so that they don't open during baking. Carefully place babka in prepared pan. Fold ends under and shape into an S so that it fits into pan. Cover with a clean kitchen cloth and let rise until doubled in size.

Preheat oven to 350 ºF. Form a crease in the top of the risen babka with the side of your hand. Brush with egg wash and cover with crumb topping. Bake approximately 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown. If babka begins to brown too quickly, cover top with foil. Remove from pan and cool on wire rack.

VARIATIONS:

Cheese Babka Filling
8 oz. farmer cheese
2 Tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon flour
1 large egg yolk
2 teaspoons grated orange zest
1/4 cup raisins
Blend together all ingredients except the raisins. After spreading the cheese filling on the babka, sprinkle with the raisins.

Cinnamon Sugar Babka Filling:
2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

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