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Chocolate Gingerbread Babka (and GIVEAWAY!)

Sweet chocolate gingerbread babka made with Chuao gingerbread chocolate bar for a truly decadent treat. This chocolate wreath is perfect for lazy Sunday mornings with family. 

easy chocolate gingerbread babka

There is something about a loaf of swirly bread filled with chocolate that makes me deliriously happy. I’ve been craving this bread for months and finally gave in to those cravings. And half the bread is gone already. No regrets though cause this chocolate gingerbread babka was worth every single calorie.

Ack! The “c” word. I try not to use that word too much around here cause who wants to think about cal-you-know-what when you are trying to get your munch on, ammiright?

chocolate gingerbread babka recipe

The inspiration to make a chocolate gingerbread babka came when I received a few Chuao chocolate bars (hint: we are giving away a few at the end of this post!) and saw their chocolate gingerbread flavor.

What I love about Chuao chocolate bars is they aren’t simply a flavored chocolate bar. No, they really love playing with building up flavors with mix-ins to give the chocolate more depth and textural contrast which gives it a really nice mouth feel. The Chuao gingerbread bar had crunchy bits of gingerbread in the chocolate, and I played that up by adding a few more to the filling, plus adding fresh ginger. I also infused the babka dough with vanilla, ginger, and cinnamon so you get a lot of flavor in each bite.

chocolate rolling gif

Rolling out the chocolate gingerbread babka is incredibly simple, but gives the bread such a beautiful look. I’ve been playing around with adding different types of content to the blog and decided to make a gif of that process for you. It’s not bad for only my second time, if I do say so myself.

chocolate gingerbread babke

You can create one large wreath like what you see here, or you can divide the dough in two and create two smaller wreaths for easier sharing.

chuao chocolates

GIVEAWAY TIME!

One lucky person will be able to receive a selection of Chuao chocolates. I’ve tried them all, and these are some of my favorite (but its really hard to choose!) The giveaway is open to US residents 18+ and ends 12/30. To enter, Follow Chuao on Instagram (@chuaochocolatier), then comment below with your username. For additional entries: Follow Chuao on Twitter (@chuacochocoholic) and comment with your username. Follow me on Twitter (@cookiedesire) and comment below with your username. You can also comment below sharing your favorite candy!

Chocolate Gingerbread Babka

Chocolate Gingerbread Babka
Prep Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 4 cups all purpose flour
  • vanilla bean seeds
  • 4 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 4 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup milk, room temperature
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 14 tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature
  • 1 egg + 1 tablespoon water for egg wash

Filling

  • 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
  • oz Chuao chocolate gingerbread bar
  • 2 tablespoons crushed gingerbread
  • 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/3 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. In a mixer fitted with a dough hook, add the flour, vanilla bean seeds, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, sugar, yeast, and salt together and stir to combine.
  2. Mix in the eggs until combined. Mix together the milk and vanilla extract and then add to the dough. Mix until it just starts to come together.
  3. Beat the dough on low and add the butter one tablespoon at a time. Beat until that tablespoon of butter is incorporated before adding another tablespoon of butter. Repeat until all the butter is incorporated.
  4. Once the butter is incorporated, bring the speed up to medium and beat for 8 minutes.
  5. Lightly grease a bowl and add the dough to the bowl. Spray plastic wrap and place over the bowl.
  6. Allow the dough to rise in a warm, dry area for about 2 hours, or in the refrigerator overnight.
  7. While the dough is rising, make the filling.
  8. Add all the ingredients for the filling to a small saucepan and heat on low. Stir constantly until the mixture is melted and fully incorporated. Set aside to cool slightly. It may firm up a bit when cool, so you may carefully reheat until it is spreadable when you are ready to use it,
  9. Place the dough onto a floured surface and roll out until it is a long rectangle.
  10. Spread the chocolate filling over the dough and roll the dough lenghtwise. Cut the dough in half, leaving a small bit of the dough attached at the top. Turn the cut pieces so the cut part is facing up. Twist the two pieces together, then bring the ends together to touch and form a wreath.
  11. Carefully place on a parchment lined baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap.
  12. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  13. Uncover the dough and take the egg and water for the egg wash and brush over the dough. Bake for about 30 - 35 mins or until a golden brown. .
© Amanda Powell

 

 

About Amanda Powell

Baker, photographer, and sometimes world traveler behind A Cookie Named Desire. Obsessed with helping people live life sweetly with delicious food to share with the special people in your life and creating lasting memories.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. sara says

    I follow Chuao on Instagram.

    Reply

  2. sara says

    I follow Chuao on Twitter too.

    Reply

  3. sara says

    My favorite candy is a dark chocolate with mint.

    Reply

  4. sara says

    I follow cookiedesire on twitter too.

    Reply

  5. Starla says

    This looks and sounds so delicious. I follow on insta: _ifancythat

    Reply

  6. Starla says

    I follow Chuao on Twitter. @mmstarla

    Reply

  7. Starla says

    I follow you on Twitter! @mmstarla

    Reply

  8. Liz S. says

    I follow Chuao on Instagram. My username is @liznoveggiegirl .

    Reply

  9. Liz S. says

    I follow Chuao on Twitter. My username is @liznoveggiegirl .

    Reply

  10. Liz S. says

    I follow you on Twitter. My username is @liznoveggiegirl .

    Reply

  11. Liz S. says

    My favorite candy is white chocolate.

    Reply

  12. Doris Evon says

    I followed Chuao on Twitter and Instagram. I followed you on Twitter. My user name is bellablackwell9.

    Reply

  13. Sharon says

    I follow Chuao on instagram @rusthawk1.

    Reply

  14. Sharon says

    I follow Chuao on twitter @rusthawk.

    Reply

  15. Sharon says

    I follow you on twitter @rusthawk.

    Reply

  16. Sharon says

    My favorite candy is pecan pralines.

    Reply

  17. Kelly @ Kelly Lynn's Sweets and Treats says

    I followed you and Chuao on Twitter!! My user name @kellylynnssweet
    And my favorite candy is chocolate peanut butter cups!

    Reply

  19. Elizabeth Tarlow says

    Following Chuao Chocolatier on Twitter @beesis26

    Reply

  20. Elizabeth Tarlow says

    Following Cookie Named Desire on Twitter 🙂 @beesis26

    Reply

  21. Stephanie Schiltz says

    I have been wanting to make this for years. You’ve given me confidence to try. Thanks!

    Reply

  22. Stephanie Schiltz says

    I am following Chuao on twitter. My user name is sjschiltz1

    Reply

  23. Auntiepatch says

    I follow you on Twitter (Auntiepatch)

    Reply

  24. Auntiepatch says

    I follow Chuao on Twitter (Auntiepatch).

    Reply

  25. Auntiepatch says

    I’m drooling over the Rocky Road!

    Reply

  26. Susan Christy says

    Follow Chuao on Instagram as susitravl

    Reply

  27. Susan Christy says

    Follow Chuao on Twitter as susitravl

    Reply

  28. Susan Christy says

    Follow you on Twitter as susitravl

    Reply

  29. Jennifer Essad says

    My favorite candy is my dad’s Divinity. He makes chocolate, black walnut, peppermint, most Christmas’

    Reply

  31. Jennifer Essad says

    I Follow me on Twitter (@cookiedesire) – @4jlessad

    Reply

  32. Jennifer Essad says

    I Follow Chuao on Twitter ( @4jlessad )

    Reply

  33. Sarah L says

    Follow Chuao on Instagram: slehan3
    Thanks for the contest.

    Reply

  34. Sarah L says

    Follow Chuao on Twitter: slehan

    Reply

  35. Sarah L says

    I like any kind of chocolate but I’d really like to try the firecracker bar
    Sea salt, a dash of chipotle and popping candy crackle in dark chocolate.

    Your gif is very good.

    Reply

  36. Sarah L says

    Twitter follow you: slehan

    Reply

  37. Steph says

    I follow on instagram @siegalpaula

    Reply

  38. Dandi D says

    I follow on Instagram as @fiddlindandi.

    Reply

  39. Dandi D says

    My favorite candy is anything dark chocolate!

    Reply

  40. Nicole says

    Following on twitter

    @cloudlessme

    Reply

  41. Nicole says

    Following Chuao on twitter

    @cloudlessme

    Reply

  42. Nicole says

    Following Chuao on IG

    nlbouras

    Reply

  43. David says

    I follow Chuao on Instagram as 1froglegs

    Reply

  44. David says

    I follow Chuao on Twitter as @1brisket

    Reply

  45. David says

    I follow you on Twitter as @1brisket

    Reply

  46. David says

    My favorite candy is anything that combines chocolate with something else, like caramel or peanut butter.

    Reply

  47. Judith says

    i follow on ig (jlrontal)

    Reply

  48. Judith says

    and i follow you on twitter (rontaljudith)

    Reply

  49. Juli Varvarezis says

    I follow Chuao on Instagram – jvarvarezis

    Reply

  50. Juli Varvarezis says

    I follow Chuao on Twitter – @jvarvarezis

    Reply

  51. Juli Varvarezis says

    I follow you on Twitter – @jvarvarezis

    Reply

  52. Angie W says

    My fave is probably a Crunchie bar

    Reply

  53. Angie W says

    IG @ngiewerner

    Reply

  54. Angie W says

    Twitter follow Chuao @wernie07

    Reply

  55. Angie W says

    Twitter follow you @wernie07

    Thanks!

    Reply

  56. laurel adelman says

    I can’t believe I missed this as I am a chocoholic. Btw I sent you a FB message. Not sure if you got it, but wondered how you are. You might not remember me, but you were really helpful to me when I was thinking of starting a new blog. You really got me inspired!

    Reply

    • Amanda says

      Hi Laurel, of course I remember you! I did see your message, but I haven’t had an opportunity to respond yet. I will once I have a free moment to give it the attention it deserves. I hope you are doing well! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 🙂

      Reply

      • laurel says

        Thanks for your reply! I look forward to hearing how things are going:)

        Reply

  57. Traci | Vanilla And Bean says

    What a delicious idea to use gingerbread chocolate in this scrumptious babka, Amanda!! It’s is absolutely gorgeous… and yes, I’m craving it now.. after the holidays have long past. I’m certain this didn’t last long your you home… I would have devoured it way too fast! Happy New Year my dear! Looking forward to more fabulous recipes and inspirational photography this 2017!

    Reply

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