Apple & Honey Round Babka

By: Jamie Geller

Category: Rosh Hashana

Prep Time:

30 mins

Cooking Time:

50 mins

Preference:

Print:

Why not take Rosh Hashana up a notch this year with a round apple & honey babka? That will guarantee you a sweet year ahead!

DOUGH

4 ½ tsp active dry yeast

2 Tbsp sugar

1 ½ cups warm water

4 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, such as Colavita

¼ cup honey

2 eggs

2 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

5 to 6 cups flour

1 egg for egg wash

FILLING

2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, such as Colavita

2 apples, peeled and chopped

¼ cup honey

2 Tbsp brown sugar

1 cup apple juice

¼ tsp salt

½ tsp cinnamon

STREUSEL CRUMB TOPPING

¾ cup flour

¾ cup sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil, such as Colavita

1 Tbsp water

In a large bowl add the yeast, sugar, water and mix. Wait 5 mins for the mixture to activate.

Add the water, Colavita Olive Oil, honey, eggs, salt and cinnamon. Mix.

Add the flour gradually and mix until a dough forms. Knead 5 – 10 mins.

Put in a lightly oiled bowl and cover. Let it rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.

Preheat oven to 180°C.

For the filling, add Colavita Olive Oil to a pan. Then add the chopped apples, honey, brown sugar, apple juice, salt and cinnamon.

Fry on medium heat until the apples are soft and caramelized.

Split the dough into two and roll each piece into a long rectangle. Add the filling into the middle in a line and roll into a log.

Cut each log in half longways.

Take the four strands and braid into a round babka (watch video for step by step instructions).

Place into a round cake tin and eggwash.

Make the streusel by mixing the dry ingredients in a bowl then adding the wet ingredients and mixing until combined and crumbly.

Use a spoon to sprinkle the streusel generously onto the babka.

Bake for 35 – 45 mins until the top is golden. Enjoy!