Chocolate Babka Bites

Submitted by mickeydownunder

"Always inspired by what I read, TRUE! This recipe will take you back to childhood memories if you came from NY too! Mini bite size, but same flavor, Look forward to a review and hope you savor ORIGINAL SOURCE: http://wp.me/p30jtz-1es If you have any questions, please PM me :) NOTE: You will need more butter for the bowl Can add an additional 1/4 cup dried fruit. I used Sunsweet plum Amazins (diced prunes) finely chopped too! :)"

 

• Ready In: 1hr 5mins
• Ingredients: 13
• Serves: 12-16

ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup milk
• 1⁄4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 egg
• bread flour, plus more for work surface (sifted)
• 1⁄2 teaspoon table salt
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons salted butter
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 3⁄4 cup dark chocolate chips
• 1⁄4 cup dried apricot, finely diced
• 1 pinch salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cinnamon

directions

1. In a saucepan on the stove, heat milk and pinch of salt to 120°F (~48C).
2. NOTE.
3. If you don’t have a thermometer, milk should be “warm” to the touch. ;-).
4. Sprinkle yeast over milk; let set for 5 minutes.
5. NOTE.
6. When making yeast mixtures, I have always “stirred” the yeast in and “waited” for it to foam; leaving it in a warm place.
7. In a small bowl, whisk together egg and remaining 1/4 cup sugar, then slowly whisk in yeast mixture.
8. In a stand mixer, combine flour and salt.
9. With mixer on low, add egg mixture until combined.
10. Add butter; mix until combined.
11. Switch mixing paddles to a dough hook and let it knead the dough for 10 minutes.

12. Per the “original” recipe:

13. “it should be sticky and stringy and probably worrisome, but will firm up a bit after it rises.”.
14. This was GREAT advise as I was “worried” at this point I had done something wrong.
15. Butter a large bowl and place dough in it; cover with cling wrap or a towel. (I used cling wrap).
16. Let rise for an hour or until double in size.
17. While waiting, prepare the filling. :) :).
18. In a food processor, add dark chocolate chips, salt and sugar; pulse until chocolate is finely chopped; almost powder-like; add in dried apricots and plum Amazins until finely chopped; set aside.
19. NOTE.
20. I used patty pans to line my muffin tin; was heaps easier re cleaning. ;-).
21. Once dough is ready, turn it out onto a “well floured” surface; gently “deflating” it with your hands; let rest for 5 minutes.
22. Once rested, roll into a large rectangle.
23. NOTE.
24. The longer you make it, the more dramatic the swirl will be. :) :) :).
25. Sprinkle the filling evenly over the dough’s surface.
26. Hint and Tip.
27. The filling WILL be “hard and clumpy to try and spread“; just do your best and be careful not to push “too hard” as the filling will go through the very soft dough. ;-).
28. Tightly roll the dough back over the filling; forming a log.
29. NOTE.
30. I did not have any filling on the ends, so I used a serrated knife and cut the ends of the pastry.
31. With a sharp serrated knife, gently saw 1-inch segments off the log; cover with a towel’ let rise for 30 minutes.
32. Preheat oven to 180°C Bake for 20 minutes; until “puffed and brown”.