Chocolate Cinnamon Babka Muffins.
Breaking news! You need these puffy chocolate muffins in your life ASAP.
I realize that I’m over-the-top dramatic about 145% of the time, but this is not a test, not a drill. These little chocolate swirl breads are absolutely incredible and rich and divine and perfect for the holidays.
Or perfect for a Monday because that’s when I devoured nearly an entire pan myself.
These were a last minute addition to the holiday recipes I have to share. I’ve been spying these stunning loaves of chocolate swirled babka bread all over instagram for the last month or two and at the eleventh hour, decided I absolutely NEEDED it in my life.
I wasn’t even sold on the muffins. I actually was REALLY into the idea of chocolate babka French toast (um, you should probably do this!) but for some reason, eyed up my muffin tin and figured these little bite sized versions would be totally ideal.
For what it’s worth, I still really want the chocolate babka french toast. I might do it. Would it not be the richest breakfast in the universe?!
Oh oh.
And! Want to hear something crazy? I made these two days before I went into labor – and stored the extras in a resealable bag once they had cooled. When I got home that weekend, baby and all, the bag of muffins was still on the counter and in a moment of starvation, Eddie warmed one up for me and I ate it. It was still fresh! I mean, not like the freshest of the fresh, but I think that in the event that you’d like to make these a bit ahead of time, you’ll be good.
Now trust me – they do taste best mere minutes after the oven – when, you know, you can’t wait to take a bite and burn every last taste bud off of your tongue.
I would have no idea what that’s like. Not me. Not I.
Just look at those adorable little swirls.
It’s kind of like cinnamon roll meets muffin meets pastry meets chocolate crossiant. A hybrid of all the delicious breakfast things in the world. Except bacon, of course.
Perhaps the most exciting part: holiday breakfasts shared with family and friends? The calories don’t count. Trusssst me.
Chocolate Cinnamon Babka Muffins
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole milk, warmed
- 1/2 cup + 2 teaspoons sugar
- 3 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs + 1 large egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened and cut into pieces
- egg wash
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
filling
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 12 ounces high-quality semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons sugar
Instructions
- In the bowl of your electric mixer, stir together the warm milk, 2 teaspoons sugar and yeast. Let sit until foamy, about 5 minutes. With the paddle attachment on the mixer, beat in 1 cup of flour until combined. Add in the eggs, yolk, vanilla extract, salt and remaining 1/2 cup sugar. Beat on medium-low speed until combined. Gradually add in the remaining flour 1/2 cup at a time, beating on medium-low speed. Once a sticky dough has formed, add the butter pieces in a few handfuls at a time. Beat for 4 to 5 minutes, until the dough is shiny and stringy and soft.
- Place the soft and sticky dough in a well oiled bowl and cover with a towel. Let rise in a warm place for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
- Remove the dough from the bowl and place it on a floured workspace. Whisk together the egg and heavy cream. Roll the dough out into a large rectangle (mine was about 12×20) and brush the edges with the egg wash. Gently spread the 6 tablespoons softened butter all over the dough – try not to press too hard and tear the dough, just gently rub it on with your hands. Add the chopped chocolate, the cinnamon and the sugar. Starting at the bottom, roll the dough tightly up into one large log as if you were about to make cinnamon rolls.
- Preheat the oven with 350 degrees F. Rub two muffin tins with softened butter.
- Slice the dough into 24 somewhat equal rounds (they will look like cinnamon rolls!) and place each round in the muffin tin. Cover the muffin tins with a towel and let rise for another 30 to 60 minutes. Brush the tops with the remaining egg wash.
- Bake the breads for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the tops are golden and set. Let cool slightly before removing from the tin. Serve immediately. I have stored these once they are completely cool – in a resealable bag then warmed them for a few seconds before serving.
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
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I appreciate you so much!
those middles!
63 Comments on “Chocolate Cinnamon Babka Muffins.”
I cannot tell a lie…I have never had babka! BUT, I have been seeing it all over Instagram/Pinterest land as well, and have been thinking that needs to change.
And then you just went and compl-EATED my Monday. Pinned!
WoAH!!!! I am in the chocolate craze here, So beautiful Jessica! They look perfect. No one will blame you for eating a whole pan to yourself!
I still can’t believe I’ve never made homemade babka!! What the hell is wrong with me?!!
I heart the idea of having my own personal muffin-sized babka (or 6). I’ll take a batch, with bacon on the side :)
Oh I have all sizes of muffin pans! They are the best little baking vessel! Here we come chocolate and dough and I have the best spot for my dough to rise……on top of the pellet stove.
Are you kidding me … BRING ON THE DRAMA — holy gorgeous!!
This looks insane Jessica! Wishing you a very merry christmas!
OH! That’s it. Just OOOOHHHHHH!
all taste buds aside, even these pictures are making my mouth water!!! Congrats on your expanding family again! I can’t wait to see what 2015 has in store for you! xoxo
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I cannot believe you were making babka 2 days before you gave birth! You are amazing :) And the muffins look wonderful. And great story that they stayed decently fresh and that you had one after you came home from the hospital – love that!
You are right, I do need these in my life immediately. They look beyond delicious! And congratulations on your sweet little one!
That seems delicious, I’ll have to try x
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That looks like the best muffin/cinnamon roll ever! I have been dying to make chocolate babka lately too – been seeing that beautiful chocolatey swirly bread everywhere and wondering why on earth I’ve never made it! Need to get on that!
Holy heck! You definitely don’t need to convince me to make these. Love, love, love!
These muffins!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOVE!
These muffins look so yummy and full of chocolate.
These muffins look so over-the-top delicious! I must have some. :) And congratulations on your new baby!!
I call Dibs on the middles! YUM! These look like the perfect combo of croissant meats cinnamon roll and I cannot wait to try them.
These look heavenly!
Yes please! I need these in my life. .
THESE.LOOK.DIVINE. They actually look so good that it hurts.
You have to be kidding me. I’ve finalised the WHOLE festive menu, and now you throw this at me? Urgh… back to the drawing board, ‘cos these muffins definitely have to happen asap! YUMMY!!
Wow, these got my attention, gotta have ASAP !
All I can think about when I look at this is the episode of Seinfeld about the Chocolate Babka. I am totally making these!!
My first thought, too, was the Seinfeld episode! These look great! I may have to adjust Christmas morning breakfast now to include these….
Babka is the besstttt! My family makes this every year at Christmas.
Oh man, Isaac’s mom gets him a loaf of babka every year for Hanukkah. He and his dad would LOVE these muffins! Already pinned and shared the recipe with his mom. :)
I cannot believe I’ve never heard of this type of muffin before – it really does look like a chocolate-stuffed croissant in the shape of a muffin.
these muffins will make the day. especially since they are cinnamon taste.
I absolutely LOVE BABKA! I’ve only ever since cinnamon OR chocolate but the two together sound divine!! Adding this to the must-make list ASAP! :D
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As soon as Santa delivers some good chocolate to my stocking, I am totally making these! (Babka always reminds me of Seinfield)
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You are so right, I need to make these right away. Oh my goodness
this is probably THE best muffin recipe ever. Totally decadent and who would think you would say that about a muffin. Well there is always a first—-and this is one of those.
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Wowzer. I do need these in my life. NOW!
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Yum! Made these last week and they are to die for! The dough is definitely delicate. Mine ripped in a few places but I just smooshed it back together and they turned out perfectly fine!
Hi me too i asses way more flour than the 3 1/2 the recipe called for otherwise I would have ended up with a batter impossible to spread, instead of a dough
Yes, I think I’d like to eat about 14 of these. As warm and gooey as possible. Tall glass of very cold milk.
I made these on Christmas Eve and they were DELISH! My family loved them… maybe not as much as me (I gobbled up so many of them)! Now, I am making them again today (only a half batch though). So much yummy! Thank you so much!
these look delicious! i can’t wait to try them!
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Hi! Is the whole milk necessary? Will Organic skim milk work as well? Or almond milk? Thanks!
We are snowed in and are going to try this recipe today. Thanks for providing our entertainment. :)
-Jessica
http://www.wearitforless.com
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I think this is worth the time it takes to collect the ingredients and give it a whirl on a Saturday afternoon.
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Would this recipe be possible using a hand electric mixer with only a whisk attachment?
Can I freeze the muffins and then bake them later?