Hello everyone. Welcome back to another delicious and amazing lactose free recipe. This week starts a new series of Valentines day themed recipes. It is said the way to a man’s (and woman’s) heart is through their stomach. Don’t worry if you haven’t found the prefect gift, I have got your back with some seriously amazing recipes to surprise your partner with.
This recipe is a delicious sweet braided bread. It is unbelievably versatile. You can add in whatever filling you want to the bread however this recipe if filled with jam. If you can eat dairy an excellent filling would be Nutella. If not, strawberry jam is just as amazing.
As always, this recipe is dairy free providing you use the right ingredients.
This recipe makes two large babka loaves. If you only wish to make one then simply halve the recipe.
Ingredients
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Dough
- Extra
Instructions
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In a large mixing bowl add the flour, sugar, yeast, salt and lemon zest. Mix.
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Add the four eggs, vanilla and warm milk. Mix until it forms a rough dough.
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Tip the dough out into a lightly floured surface. Add the margarine to the dough one tablespoon at a time. Making sure the margarine has been incorporated and worked in before you add the next tablespoon.
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Tip the rough dough out onto a lightly floured work surface.
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Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough into a large well-oiled bowl. Cover with clingwrap and leave in a warm draught free place for an hour and thirty minutes.
- After the allotted time has passed place the dough in the fridge for half an hour.
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Add the egg and water to a small bowl and whisk with a fork.
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Spray two loaf pans with cooking spray and set aside. Flour your work surface and tip the dough out onto it. Cut the dough in half. Set one half aside.
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Roll the dough into a rectangle making sure that the shorter side fits the size of the loaf.
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Spread the jam onto the dough making sure to leave a small gap around the edges.
- Grab the egg wash that you mixed earlier. Brush a small amount of the egg wash around the edges of the dough.
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Roll up the dough starting from one short end. Press the edges of the dough to seal it up. If you don’t the jam will come out the sides. I learnt that the hard way.
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Grab a sharp knife or even a pizza cutter. Cut the dough in half, lengthwise.
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Twist the two dough pieces together. Place into the pre oiled loaf pan.
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Repeat this entire process for the second piece of dough. Roll out, jam, roll up, cut and twist. Leave the dough to rest in a warm draught free place for an hour.
- Preheat your oven to 160°c. After the dough has risen for an hour place into the preheated oven and cook for 45 minutes. The inside temperature should be in the high 80s.
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While the dough is cooking prepare the syrup. Place the sugar and water in a small sauce pan.
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Stir and bring to the boil.
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Remove from heat and place in a small bowl.
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When the babka has been removed from the oven brush the simple syrup all over.
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Set aside to cool down completely before decorating with the royal icing and strawberries.
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Serve and enjoy. Thank you for reading this recipe. Make sure to check out all my other delicious recipes. Feel free to comment any feedback.
