Name: Blueberry Cream Cheese Babka
Prep time: 2 h
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 2 h 45 min
Cuisine: Eastern European
Ingredients: 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; 8 oz cream cheese, softened; ¼ cup granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries; ¼ cup granulated sugar; 1 tablespoon cornstarch; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; ⅓ cup all-purpose flour; 2 tablespoons granulated sugar; 3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed

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

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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