Reginas Bobka Recipes

POLISH EASTER BREAD - BOBKA

Steps:

• Measure 2 cups flour onto piece of waxed paper.
• Combine other 2 cups flour, yeast, sugar, salt and cinnamon in mixing bowl and mix well.
• Melt butter and add lukewarm milk.
• Gradually add dry ingredients and beat at low speed, scraping sides of bowl, 2 minutes.
• Add 4 egg yolks and 1 more cup of flour.
• Beat at medium speed 2 minutes or until think and elastic.
• Gradually stir in last cup of flour with wooden spoon, making a soft dough.
• Cover and let rise until double.
• Stir in raisins and lemon rind.
• Put in a well greased 3 quart fluted tube pan or heavy Bundt pan.
• Beat 5th egg yolk with 2 tablespoons water and brush top of dough with this mix.
• Sprinkle almonds over the top and let rise for one hour uncovered.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake for 30-40 minutes. Turn out of pan and cool on rack.

BLACK SESAME BABKA

Steps:

• For the dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together the flour, sugar, yeast, salt and orange zest. Add the milk, vanilla extract, almond extract and eggs and whisk to combine. Place the bowl onto the stand mixer, fitted with a dough hook attachment, and mix on medium speed to combine. Use a rubber spatula as needed to scrape the bottom and sides. With the mixer running, add butter 1 tablespoon at a time until it is incorporated into the dough. When all the butter is incorporated, mix on medium for another 10 to 15 minutes, until smooth and slightly sticky. Stretch the dough into a ball. Lightly oil a clean bowl, place the dough in top down, flip over to coat in oil fully and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise until it's doubled in size, 1 to 2 hours.
• Grease a 9-by-5-inch metal loaf pan and line with enough parchment paper to come all the way up on the two long sides and allow 1-inch wings.
• On a clean work surface, roll the dough out into a 22-by-10-inch rectangle. The dough should be slightly sticky but if it's too sticky to work with you can dust with a little flour. Using all but about 2 tablespoons of the Filling (recipe follows), spread it onto the dough, leaving a ½-inch border at the top edge. Roll the dough the long way into a tight log and pinch the edges to seal. Cut it in half so you have two shorter logs. Spread the top of one of the logs with the reserved filling and then twist the logs together. Transfer to the loaf pan, cover with plastic, and let rise until puffy and risen by about half, 30 to 40 minutes.
• Arrange an oven rack in the lower third and preheat to 350 degrees F.
• Gently brush the top of the babka with the egg wash and cover with the Crumble (recipe follows). Bake until the top is deep golden brown and the internal temperature is 190 to 195ºF, begin checking at 45 minutes.
• While babka is baking, prepare the Glaze (recipe follows).
• Cool for 15 minutes in the pan and then transfer to a rack. Drizzle over the glaze and then cool completely before cutting open. To store wrap tightly in plastic wrap and keep at room temperature. This is best within a day or two.
• In a medium bowl with a stiff rubber spatula, mix together the sesame paste, sugar, coconut oil, salt and orange zest until combined and spreadable. Reserve at room temperature until ready to use.
• Combine the flour, powdered sugar, sesame seeds and salt in a small bowl. Add the butter and rub together with your fingers until butter is thoroughly combined and mixture is coarse and crumbly.
• Combine powdered sugar and salt in a small bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of milk and whisk to combine. If the mixture is too thick, add more milk until desired consistency.

REGINA'S BOBKA

Steps:

• For the batter, heat the butter and milk until the butter melts. Set aside to cool.
• Sift the flour into a large bowl with the salt and sugar.
• Dissolve the yeast in the water and mix in the egg yolks.
• Stir the cooled milk and butter mixture into the flour and then add the yeast mixture.
• Mix well and refrigerate, covered, overnight or for at least 12 hours. Refrigerate the egg whites.
• For the filling, combine the water and 1/2 cup sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
• Add the rest of the filling ingredients and cook on low heat until thick, about 10 minutes. If you make the filling in advance, refrigerate it.
• To assemble the bobka, bring the egg whites to room temperature.
• Beat the whites until foamy, and while stir beating, slowly ad 1/2 cup sugar until peaks form.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Remove the dough from refrigerator just before you roll it out.
• Divide the dough in half.
• One a well-floured surface with a floured rolling pin, roll each half into a 12*24 inch rectangle.
• Work quickly because the dough will become sticky and difficult to work with as it warms up.
• Spread half he meringue and then half of the filling on each recangle to within 1 inch of the sides.
• Roll the long side up like a jelly roll and seal the short ends together. Place on roll inside a greased bundt pan. Lay the other roll on top.
• Bake for 45-60 minutes, until firm and almost bread-like on top.
• Let the bobka cool.
• Turn it out onto a plate, put a serving plate on top, and reverse the cake to its original position.

REGINA MARGHERITA

Steps:

• Place a pizza stone on the floor or the lowest rack of your oven. Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F.
• Pat the pizza dough into a 12-inch diameter circle and place it on a peel. Spread on the tomatoes and put on the fresh mozzarella. Slide the pizza onto the stone and bake for 8 to 10 minutes. When finished, sprinkle on a few drops of olive oil and garnish with basil leaves.
• Buon Appetito!

UKRAINIAN COUNTRY BABKA

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine 2 teaspoons sugar, 1/2 cup water, yeast, milk and 1 cup flour. Mix until well blended, then cover and allow to rise in a warm place until light and bubbly, about 30 minutes.
• In a large bowl, beat the eggs, salt and 1 cup white sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in the melted butter and lemon zest. Stir in the sponge, then gradually mix in the flour. Knead in the bowl for about 10 minutes, then knead in the raisins. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume.
• Punch down dough and knead for a couple of turns then let it rise again. Grease 4 smaller coffee cans with soft butter. Fill the prepared pans about 1/3 full and let rise until the dough is even with the rim. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven, then turn down the temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Continue baking the bread for another 40 minutes. Avoid letting the top get too brown, if it begins to brown too quickly, cover the top with aluminum foil. Remove baked loaves from the pans and cool on a wire rack.

BASIC BABKA

Steps:

• Stir white sugar, 1/4 cup butter, and salt into hot milk in a small bowl until butter is melted and mixture is lukewarm. In the work bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle, sprinkle yeast over warm water; stir to dissolve.
• Stir milk mixture into yeast mixture. Add 2 eggs and 2 1/2 cups of the flour; beat on high until combined. With mixer on low, add remaining 2 cups flour, 1/2 cup at a time.
• Switch to the dough hook; mix until dough leaves sides of bowl, about 5 minutes. Set dough in a large, lightly greased bowl, turning dough to coat top. Cover with a towel and let rise in a warm spot until doubled, about 1 hour.
• Prepare walnut filling while dough rises. Lightly beat 3 eggs in a large bowl. Stir in brown sugar, 1/3 cup melted butter, cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Fold in walnuts.
• Punch dough down. Turn dough out onto a large, lightly floured surface, cover with the bowl, and let rest 10 minutes. Line three 9x5-inch loaf pans with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on long sides.
• Divide dough into thirds; roll each third out to a 12-inch square on a lightly floured surface. Spoon 1/3 of the walnut filling onto each dough square and spread to within 1/2 inch of the edges. Roll up each square tightly as for a jelly roll. Pinch ends and seams closed to seal. With your palms, roll logs back and forth until uniformly round.
• With a sharp knife or dough scraper, cut 1 log in half lengthwise to form 2 striped strands. Working quickly, twist strands loosely together with cut sides facing out, making 2 or 3 wide, horizontal twists. Fit into one of the prepared pans, patting back any loose filling and tucking ends under, if needed. It might look like a mess now, but it comes out beautifully!
• Repeat with remaining logs and pans. Cover pans with a towel and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 1 hour. Loaves should not rise above top edges of pans.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Brush loaf tops with remaining 2 tablespoons melted butter.
• Bake loaves until puffed, well browned, and a thermometer inserted in centers registers 200 degrees F (93 degrees C), 35 to 45 minutes. Tent with foil if tops brown before loaves are done. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then use parchment to lift from pans and transfer to a wire rack.
• Cool completely, about 1 hour. Glaze if desired, then slice crosswise to serve.

BABKA

Steps:

• Heat the milk; stir in the butter until melted; cool to lukewarm. Proof the yeast in the warm water.
• Beat the eggs, egg yolks, and sugar until thick. Add the salt, grated rinds, vanilla, and Grand Marnier. Add the milk-butter mixture to the egg mixture. Stir in the yeast.
• Add the flour, a cupful at a time, mixing with a wooden spoon. The dough should not be dry, but it should not be sticky. Too much flour will make a dry, crumbly cake. Add the almonds and raisins.
• Turn the dough onto a floured board and knead for about 5 minutes, until dough comes away from your hand. Butter a very large bowl and put dough in bowl. Cover and let rise until doubled in bulk. Punch down and let rise a second time until almost doubled.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter the pans generously. (You can sprinkle pans with a tablespoon of sugar if you wish.) Divide the dough into 3 portions. Arrange evenly on the pans and cover loosely. Let rise to top of pans.
• Bake cakes in oven for 30 to 45 minutes, until golden brown. There should be a hollow sound when you tap the top with your knuckles. Cool for 5 minutes in the pans, then turn out onto racks to cool.

CHOCOLATE BABKA RUGELACH

Steps:

• Make the dough: Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or a hand-held electric mixer, beat cream cheese and butter on medium speed until smooth and well blended. Beat in sugar and vanilla extract. Reduce speed to low, and gradually add flour and salt until just incorporated.
• Scrape dough onto plastic wrap. Divide dough into 4 portions, form each into a disk and wrap each in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 2 hours or up to 5 days.
• Prepare the fudge: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar, cream, and salt. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until sugar dissolves completely, about 5 minutes. Scrape mixture into a bowl. Add chocolate, butter and vanilla, and let sit for 5 minutes to soften the chocolate, then mix until melted and smooth. (Fudge can be made up to 2 weeks ahead and stored, covered, in the refrigerator. Let come to room temperature before using; it's too firm to spread when cold.)
• Make the crumb filling: In a small bowl, stir together flour, sugar, cocoa powder and salt. Stir in melted butter until it is evenly distributed and the mixture forms large, moist crumbs. Set aside.
• Line 4 baking sheets with parchment paper or nonstick liners, or lightly butter the pans, if you like. Working with 1 piece of dough at a time, remove it from refrigerator and allow it to sit at room temperature for about 5 minutes, or until malleable enough to roll out.
• On a clean, lightly floured work surface, roll out dough into a 9-inch circle, about 1/8-inch thick. Rotate dough while rolling to ensure it does not stick to the work surface.
• Using the back of a spoon, evenly spread 2 tablespoons of fudge onto the rolled-out dough. Sprinkle about 1/2 cup of sugar cocoa crumbs over fudge. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of chopped nuts over the crumbs, and, using your hands, press the filling firmly and evenly into the dough.
• Using a sharp knife, cut the dough circle into 12 triangles, like pieces of a pie. With an offset spatula or thin knife, loosen the triangles from the work surface. Starting at the wide end of the triangle and working to the narrow tip, roll up each piece and bend the ends around to form a slight crescent shape.
• Place rugelach, narrow tip tucked beneath, on a prepared baking sheet, leaving about 1 1/2 inches between each. Refrigerate, lightly covered with plastic wrap, for at least 30 minutes (and up to 24 hours) to help them keep their shape in the oven. Repeat with the remaining dough, fudge and filling. (Clean your work surface before rolling out the next batch of dough.)
• When ready to bake, heat oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, stir together Demerara sugar and a large pinch of flaky salt. Brush rugelach with milk and sprinkle sugar-salt mix on top.
• Bake, 2 sheets at a time, until lightly browned, 17 to 25 minutes. Rotate cookie sheets halfway through for even baking. Transfer sheets to a wire rack to cool completely.