Life> no use

Babka

Updated: 2007-03-30 17:01

Babka — Polish for "grandmother" — is named for its shape, which resembles a woman's skirt. This Eastern European Easter version of babka is often blessed at church before being eaten.

INGREDIENTS
2 cups milk, warmed to 110°F
5 packages active dry yeast
1 1/2 cups plus 1 tablespoon sugar
7 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
3/4 cup golden raisins
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
10 large egg yolks, lightly beaten
3 large eggs
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted

DIRECTIONS
1. Make the dough: Coat a large bowl with oil and set aside. Combine the milk, yeast, the 1 tablespoon sugar, and 1 cup flour in a small bowl and set aside. In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine the remaining 6 cups flour, remaining sugar, salt, lemon zest, and raisins. With the mixer on low speed, add vanilla, egg yolks, 2 eggs, and the yeast mixture. Mix on low speed until a smooth, elastic dough forms — about 10 minutes. Add the 1/2 cup butter and mix for 5 more minutes. Transfer the dough to the prepared bowl, turning to coat all sides with oil. Cover the bowl with a clean, damp kitchen towel and set dough aside to rise in a warm, draft-free place until it doubles in volume — about 1 hour.

2. Shape the loaf: Coat two 8-inch round by 4-inch-deep baking dishes with remaining butter and lightly dust with the 2 tablespoons flour, shaking out any excess. Set aside. Punch down the dough, transfer it to a lightly floured surface, and divide it in half. Shape each half into a ball and place them in the prepared dishes. Cover with a clean, damp kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place until dough doubles in volume — about 1 hour. Preheat oven to 350°F.

3. Bake the bread: Beat the remaining egg and lightly brush the top of babkas. Bake in the lower third of the oven for 15 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 300°F and continue to bake until the loaves are golden and sound hollow when tapped — about 40 more minutes. Transfer the finished loaves to a wire rack to cool.