Sourdough Banana Chocolate Babka
Prep: 35 mins + rising time | Cook Time: 30 mins | Course: Baked Goods | Servings: 9
Sourdough banana chocolate babka is truly special. This loaf is generously sized, tender, and delicious. I love the big loaf, but of course you could also divide the dough in half when you're ready to roll it out and spread with the chocolate filling.
5 cups flour
¼ cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
½ cup sourdough starter
3 bananas
1 teaspoon vanilla
Chocolate Filling:
6 Tablespoons butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
¼ teaspoon salt
¾ cup dark chocolate chips, melted
Simple Syrup:
¼ cup water
¼ cup sugar
1 Tablespoon honey
In a stand mixer, whisk flour, sugar, and salt together. Measure milk and sourdough starter in a liquid measurer and pour over the dry ingredients using the dough attachment. Mix in bananas, and vanilla over low speed. When the dough comes together, bump speed up to medium-low for about 5 minutes. Remove from the mixer, take out the dough attachment, and cover the bowl with plastic wrap, allowing it to bulk ferment overnight.
In the morning, when the dough has doubled in size and you are ready to assemble the bread, stir the butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla and salt together until smooth. Stir in the melted chocolate until blended in.
Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle and spread with the chocolate spread. Roll the dough up tightly into a log shape. Slice it down the middle until it almost reaches the end, but leave the very end intact. Fold one end over the other like a braid so that the striations of chocolate show in the twist. Place the loaf on a parchment lined rimmed baking sheet. Cover with a towel and allow to rise until about doubled in size.
Make the simple syrup by heating the water, sugar and honey in a saucepan; bring to a boil, then remove from the heat and let cool.
When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 375*. Bake for about 30 minutes or until an instant thermometer reads a minimum of 190*. Remove from the oven and brush generously with the simple syrup.
