Ingredients:
- 4 cups (500g) all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup (75g) granulated sugar
- 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (120ml) whole milk, warmed
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 8 oz (227g) cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 cup (150g) fresh or frozen blueberries
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (for thickening, optional)
Instructions:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, mix warm milk, eggs, and melted butter.
- Combine wet ingredients with dry ingredients and knead until the dough is smooth.
- Let the dough rise in a warm area, covered, for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- In a bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, vanilla extract, and egg yolk until smooth.
- In a small saucepan, combine blueberries, sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch.
- Cook over medium heat until bubbly and thickened, then remove from heat.
- Once dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out into a rectangle.
- Spread cream cheese filling evenly over the dough.
- Spoon blueberry filling over the cream cheese, spreading it evenly.
- Roll the dough tightly into a log and twist gently to shape it.
- Place into a greased loaf pan.
- Cover the loaf and let it rise for about 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until golden brown on top and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Allow the babka to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.