Description
This Blueberry Cream Cheese Babka features a soft, buttery dough filled with layers of sweet blueberries and tangy cream cheese, topped with a crunchy streusel. Perfect for brunch or a special dessert, this babka combines rich flavors and beautiful presentation. Learn how to make this delicious, twisted bread at home!
Ingredients
For the Dough:
2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 package (2 ¼ tsp) instant yeast
½ teaspoon salt
⅓ cup whole milk, warmed
2 large eggs, room temperature
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
For the Cream Cheese Filling:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Blueberry Filling:
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon lemon juice
For the Streusel Topping:
⅓ cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a stand mixer, combine flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Add warm milk and eggs, mixing to combine. Gradually add softened butter, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough is smooth. Knead for 8-10 minutes. Let the dough rise for 1-1.5 hours until doubled.
- Make Blueberry Filling: Cook blueberries, sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice in a saucepan over medium heat until thickened. Cool completely.
- Make Cream Cheese Filling: Beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
- Shape the Babka: Roll out the dough into a rectangle, spread cream cheese filling, then blueberry filling. Roll tightly, cut the dough lengthwise, twist the two halves, and place in a greased loaf pan.
- Make the Streusel: Mix flour, sugar, and cubed butter with fingers until crumbly. Sprinkle over the babka.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Let the babka rise for 30 minutes, then bake for 40-45 minutes until golden brown.
Notes
For a deeper flavor, let the dough rise in the refrigerator overnight.
You can use either fresh or frozen blueberries for the filling.
Babka can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 2 hours (including rising time)
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Breakfast, Brunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Eastern European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 10-12 slices
- Calories: 320 kcal per slice
Keywords: Blueberry Cream Cheese Babka, babka recipe, sweet bread, brunch bread, blueberry desserts, cream cheese babka, twisted bread recipe, homemade babka