Chocolate babka is one of those magical desserts that combines sweetness, fluffiness, and a rich chocolate swirl that’s hard to resist. The aroma of freshly baked babka fills your kitchen with warmth and happiness, making it the perfect treat to share with friends and family. Get ready to explore four mouth-watering recipes that will have you craving this sweet bread in no time!
Classic Chocolate Babka

Chocolate Babka from NYT Cooking – The New York Times
Rating: 5. Ingredients: 27 h 30 min Total Time: 27 h 30 min.

Traditional Chocolate Babka from Mama Living Abroad
Rating: 4.8. Ingredients: 40 min Total Time: 40 min.
This traditional chocolate babka is a crowd-pleaser, with its soft, braided dough and luscious chocolate filling. Made with a rich, buttery dough and sprinkled generously with chocolate shavings, this recipe has a delightful texture that melts in your mouth. What makes this babka so special is its beautiful braided appearance, which not only looks stunning but also allows for an even distribution of that heavenly chocolate flavor in each bite!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 packet active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup milk, warmed
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until frothy.
- In a large bowl, combine flour and salt, then add the yeast mixture, melted butter, and egg. Knead until smooth.
- Let the dough rise in a warm place for about 1 hour until doubled in size.
- Roll out the dough, spread melted chocolate, and sprinkle cocoa powder. Roll it up tightly.
- Braid the rolled dough, place it in a greased loaf pan, and let it rise again for 30 minutes.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 30-35 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar before serving!
Nutty Chocolate Babka

Chocolate Babka from David Lebovitz
Ingredients: Unsweetened cocoa powder, fresh yeast, honey, chocolate wafer, cinnamon

Chocolate Hazelnut Babka from Breadtopia
Ingredients: Chocolate hazelnut spread, orange, bread flour, dough, filling Total Time: 2 hr.

Chocolate Babka from Brown Eyed Baker
Rating: 4.4. Ingredients: Heavy cream, powdered sugar, cinnamon, instant yeast, egg yolk Total Time: 3 hr 25 min.
If you’re a fan of nuts, then this nutty chocolate babka is calling your name! With a crunchy walnut filling combined with rich chocolate, each bite is a delightful mix of textures and flavors. The unique aspect of this recipe is the nutty twist, which brings an extra layer of richness to the classic chocolate babka that everyone will love.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 packet active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup milk, warmed
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
Instructions:
- Combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast in a bowl and let it froth for 5 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, mix flour and salt, add the yeast mixture, melted butter, and egg, then knead until smooth.
- Allow the dough to rise in a warm area until it doubles in size, about 1 hour.
- Roll out the dough, spread the melted chocolate, sprinkle cocoa powder, and add chopped walnuts. Roll up tightly.
- Braid the dough and place it in a greased loaf pan, letting it rise for another 30 minutes.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 minutes until golden. Let cool before slicing!
Chocolate Orange Babka
This chocolate orange babka takes your taste buds on a delightful journey with its zesty twist! The combination of rich chocolate and bright orange zest creates a flavor explosion that’s both refreshing and indulgent. What sets this recipe apart is the citrusy aroma that fills your kitchen, making it feel like a special occasion every time you bake it!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 packet active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup milk, warmed
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1/4 cup orange juice
Instructions:
- Mix warm milk, sugar, and yeast in a bowl; let it sit for 5 minutes to froth.
- In a large bowl, combine flour and salt, then add the yeast mixture, melted butter, egg, orange zest, and juice. Knead until smooth.
- Let the dough rise for about 1 hour until it doubles in size.
- Roll out the dough, spread melted chocolate, and sprinkle with additional orange zest. Roll it up tightly.
- Braid the rolled dough, place in a greased loaf pan, and let it rise for another 30 minutes.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 minutes. Enjoy the citrus aroma and serve warm!
Chocolate Raspberry Babka
For a fruity twist, this chocolate raspberry babka is simply irresistible! The tartness of the raspberries pairs beautifully with the sweet chocolate, creating a flavor profile that’s both rich and refreshing. This recipe stands out because of the bright pops of raspberry throughout the fluffy chocolate dough, making each slice a delightful surprise!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 packet active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup milk, warmed
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup fresh raspberries
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, mix warm milk, sugar, and yeast; let it sit for 5 minutes until frothy.
- In a large bowl, combine flour and salt, then add the yeast mixture, melted butter, and egg. Knead until smooth.
- Allow the dough to rise for about 1 hour until it doubles in size.
- Roll out the dough, spread melted chocolate, and sprinkle fresh raspberries. Roll it up tightly.
- Braid the rolled dough and place it in a greased loaf pan, letting it rise another 30 minutes.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 minutes. Slice and serve while warm for the best taste!