Delicious Russian Caramel Babka Recipe

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, milk, and yeast. Stir gently until everything is well mixed.

Add in the sugar, eggs, and salt. Knead the mixture by hand or with a dough hook for about 10 minutes until you get a smooth dough.

Slowly incorporate the softened butter into the dough until it is fully absorbed. This process will take about 5 minutes. Once the dough is elastic, cover it and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.

In a saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar and water. Stir gently until the sugar dissolves completely.

Once the mixture starts to boil, avoid stirring. Let it simmer until it turns a golden color. This can take about 10 minutes.

Remove from heat and carefully add the butter and vanilla extract. Stir until the butter is melted and the mixture is smooth.

Once the dough has risen, punch it down to remove air. Roll it out on a floured surface into a large rectangle, about 1 centimeter thick.

Spread the prepared caramel filling evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.

Roll the dough tightly from one long edge to the other, creating a log. Pinch the seams to seal and then cut the log in half lengthwise. Twist the two halves together to create a braided effect.

Transfer the twisted dough into a greased loaf pan. Cover and allow it to rise for another 30 minutes.

Preheat your oven to 180 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit). Bake the babka for 30-35 minutes, or until it turns a lovely golden brown.

Once baked, let the babka cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove it and serve warm. Enjoy the delightful caramel goodness with your favorite coffee!