Right now I'm going from task to task; the overall game plan of “Holy Week” plus “Springtime Planting” finds itself conditioned by the exigencies of “new babies” and “toddlers” and “snow/rain” — punctuated by a 90° day that just reminds you that the world will turn as it has from the beginning.
The King Arthur Flour site brought up Babka as their April challenge (such a cute idea, a monthly baking challenge!), and Rosie and I looked at each other with the “this-must-be-done” look.
I tried my best to follow all the directions, including the Jerusalem Cookbook's “Krantz” recipe and the Smitten Kitchen adaptation of same. So yes, three sets of directions.
I won't go through my steps, just because I think those afore-mentioned resources do an admirable job of walking you through the process.
My notes are simply that I made one with nuts and one without (to accommodate those who can't eat them), and used the scraps from cutting off the ends and edges to make that round thing, which was partly chocolatey and partly not, so I sprinkled with cinnamon sugar.
I will say that it takes longer to read about this recipe and muster the courage to use all that butter and chocolate than it does to execute.
(I did wrap them carefully and put them deep in the freezer. I hope that the advice that they freeze well will be true!)
If you make them, I'd love to see! I'll post on Instagram too. KAF has you use the tag #bakealong; tag me too! @leilamarielawler
We wish you a holy Triduum and a blessed Easter! We will check in with you on the other side with updates on the happenings here!
Sue says
SThey look delicous and beautiful all at the same time! I’m going to give it a whirl. I’ll let you know how I do on IG!
Dixie says
These look so gorgeous!! I noticed on the King Arthur site that they had developed a gluten-free recipe, too. I love their recipes!
Dixie says
I was thinking, too, that a variation without chocolate but with cinnamon and brown sugar and diced apples and nuts would be amazing…but then, why would you want a variation without chocolate?
Lauren says
Cooks illustrated has a cinnamon version of it in their online database
Amy says
Cooks illustrated has a cinnamon version of it in their online database
Lisa G. says
Yes, I also saw that!
Kelsey says
My mother’s family is largely Polish, and we have always celebrated Easter with Babka, although it’s a bit different. Lighter and yeastier, I think, with either raisins or (my favorite) a sweet cheese filling. The new fascination with this Jewish-style babka has therefore generally confused me, though I admit it looks so delicious!
Rain says
Those look good enough to eat! : ) Happy Easter Leila and family! Our family will be celebrating our 4th Easter as Catholics thanks in part to you.
Much love.
Leila says
Happy Easter, Rain! God is so good!
Nancy says
Thanks for bringing this recipe to our attention. I just made two braided loaves and had to sample a small bite. Delicious! Happy Easter Triduum.
Claire says
Dearest Auntie Leila,
Oh how I wish I had you around when I was raising 6 children who were born within 11 years. Somehow we survived but it would have been so much nicer if I had known all that I now know thanks to you. ( I have sent all of my daughters and daughter- in- law to you). I am very serious about the wisdom I lacked but I digress.
I am now a grandma with a plethora of grandchildren ranging in age from 3 to 19 and in desperate need of your wisdom and guidance pertaining to all things grandparents should know. For example how do you handle big family sit down dinners with all the littles in various shapes, sizes and temperaments running, crawling or climbing around? Who settles squabbles, parents or grandparents? etc. etc etc.
Please, please consider starting a series of posts about grandparenting. And I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the the wisdom you have shared through the years!!!
Sarah says
I second this respectful request! Mothering grown children, and being a good mother-in-law is such uncharted territory for me and I want to do better than I was done to.
Leila says
Dear Claire and Sarah,
But I’m a newbie too! And probably doing it all wrong!
At first, the sit-down dinners are hard, aren’t they, because the balance is tipped towards the littles with their naps and all, and it seems impossible to find a time when EVERYONE is ready to go! We just do our best and I have to say that I am very grateful that my daughters and daughter-in-law will just say, “Don’t wait for me, I have to put this little one down — go ahead!” And the rest are willing to wait a bit too…
Somehow everyone has to make an effort, and then you just don’t worry. Those “imperfections” are just how life is, right? In the end, there is the overall effect of having come together to eat and to celebrate. And the love displayed of saving a little for whoever has to pop out, and of at least trying to be patient, is well worth it!
As to disciple, well, mostly the parents have to do their thing, and then there are the “rules of the house” (we don’t climb on that piece of furniture etc) and the little interventions that may or may not be appreciated… I don’t know! I’m sure you do better than I do!
Happy Easter!
NY Mom says
I agree about perhaps making more room for discussions for grandmothers – and maybe including comments from mothers about what is truly helpful to them from their MIL’s or own moms. It’s good to lay down rules for your own home – “Let’s put the toys away before you leave”, saying please when you ask for something to eat or drink, etc – whatever little codes of conduct instill respect for others’ homes and you as a revered matriarch 🙂 As for questions about what’s allowed, be it a snack or whatever – it’s best to always respond, “Go ask Mommy and see what she says.”
My situation includes 3 DIL’s who bring their own unique parenting styles and strengths to their mothering. You have to learn to keep a respectful detachment (as in, they’re the ultimate authority with their own kids) but also let them know you’re available for whatever help they find helpful.
My own grandmothers kept impeccably clean homes in good order and I loved, loved, loved combing through their nooks and crannies – sewing rooms, closets, mementos, bookshelves, pantries – as well as honoring their old-world styles – aprons, rosaries on their bedposts, dawn prayer-times when you never disturbed them OR ELSE. I got a broom to my backside once or twice!
Claire says
Thanks Leila and NY mom! I love the advice you both give. And I love that NY mom”s grandmothers let you comb through their nooks and crannies! If you have any other ideas please pass along! Thank you so much.
NY Mom says
I worried that we had derailed Leila’s original post, which was about the beautiful babka loaves, to talking about grandmothering, until I realized that in Polish, the word “babka” is a kind of diminutive for “grandmother”, or “old woman”…… So I guess it was inevitable that wander into the linguistic weeds and reflect on grannies!
Leila says
Ah, NY Mom — wonderful! Love it!
Courtney says
I am a 33 year old mother of two little ones (4 and 6 and the 6yo is the oldest grandchild) and I am not jealous of grandmothers at ALL! I can sense a bit off worry coming from my mom and MIL (Though I think we are all growing more comfortable in our roles). I can imagine how hard it is to guess what it is we complain about to our husbands when we get home (you know we do, right? I mean, you did when you were my age, right?). I will offer this as a bit of encouragement from my perspective, because maybe this isn’t a topic so easily broached with your own daughters and certainly daughters in law:
As I have navigated my new role as a mother, it has taken me some time to figure out that my mother figures are my helpers and even comrades, and not someone to impress. I have repented of my complaining and become more relaxed with their styles and help. My sisters in law, on both sides, are a range of personalities (I, their introduction to grandparenthood unfortunately, am most certainly the biggest stickler) and I hope that the grandparents aren’t too worried about pleasing all of us.
My point is that if the Holy Spirit is involved, there is not much to worry about. If you suspect you are driving your daughters crazy, just please pray for comfort and for the Holy Spirit to do his work. He will. In you and your daughters. My guess is it’s a super bumpy ride for the first 5-6 years and then we all kinda figure it out. That has been my little experience so far. Be patient and resilient with us. We are 30 years behind you in sanctification :-).
Claire says
Courtney, what a beautiful and spot on perspective! We grandmas do worry so about getting it right. You are so right. If the Holy Spirit is involved all will be well. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” Thank you for your kind wisdom.
Becky g says
Anyone try the gluten free version on the King Arthur site? I am interested and intimidated due to lack of experience…
Anna says
I just made it today. Haven’t tried it yet. Will let you know!
Anna says
My husband says the gf version I made is delicious 🙂
Becky g says
Hooray! Was it difficult? It looks so good!
Dixie says
Becky, I made the GF version, too. It was beautiful but i wish it had risen more on the second rise, as it was a bit dense and dry for my tastes. It just didn’t crown much over the top of the pan for me. But, let’s be real, it still tasted great with all that chocolate and we enjoyed it 🙂
Beware that it really takes several hours, so start it first thing in the morning and plan to stick around the house.
Mrs. Bee says
I ended up making these babkas too! Next time I will measure the flour by weight, as I think I scooped too much, and my dough was heavier than the one in the KAF pictures. Only 1 or 1 1/4 cup pf liquid seemed so little for so much flour… But this was definitely a show-stopper of a breakfast, just right for a big feast!
Happy Easter, Lawler family!
Marta says
I made 4 of these for our midnight Easter feast. (35 at table!) Chocolate, apricot, prune, and cherry. The chocolate one was devoured before it made it to my end of table! Lesson learned: make more chocolate ones!
Amy says
I did not make this, as we have food allergies to work around in our family, but I did learn a new way to form my regular loaf of bread from it, as in rolling it out and twisting it up. It turned out lovely and made the bread portion of our Easter meal seem a little more special. Thanks!
Bridget Green says
So, years later, I have to ask: Did they freeze well?
Leila says
Yes! Perfectly!!