Sliced Blueberry Cream Cheese Babka on a wooden board

Blueberry Cream Cheese Babka: A Sweet Start to Your Day

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Why Make This Recipe

Blueberry Cream Cheese Babka is a delightful treat that brings the perfect blend of sweetness and creamy texture to your breakfast or brunch table. Its soft, fluffy dough swirled with blueberry preserves and rich cream cheese filling makes it a favorite among many. This recipe not only satisfies your sweet tooth but also introduces a fresh burst of flavor thanks to the blueberries. It’s a lovely way to start your day, and it might even become an essential in your baking repertoire!

How to Make Blueberry Cream Cheese Babka

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups Blueberries (Freshly picked or frozen)
  • 1 cup Sugar (Sweeten to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice (Enhances sweetness)
  • 8 oz Cream Cheese (Softened)
  • 1/2 cup Sugar (Adjust to taste)
  • 4 cups All-Purpose Flour (Bread flour can be used)
  • 2 teaspoons Active Dry Yeast (Ensure it’s fresh)
  • 1 cup Milk (Warm)
  • 2 large Eggs (Add moisture and richness)
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter (Very soft)
  • 1/4 cup Sugar Syrup (Mix of sugar and water)

Directions:

  1. Make the Blueberry Preserves: In a small pot, combine blueberries, 1 cup of sugar, and lemon juice. Cook on medium heat until the blueberries burst and the mixture thickens. Set aside to cool.

  2. Prepare Cream Cheese Filling: Mix the softened cream cheese with 1/2 cup sugar until smooth. Set aside.

  3. Make the Dough: In a bowl, mix the warm milk and active dry yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until foamy. In a larger bowl, combine flour, eggs, vanilla extract, and soft butter. Add the yeast mixture and knead until soft and elastic.

  4. First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about an hour or until it doubles in size.

  5. Shape the Dough: Punch down the dough, then roll it out into a rectangle. Spread the cream cheese filling evenly, followed by the blueberry preserves.

  6. Braid the Logs: Roll the dough tightly into a log, then cut it in half lengthwise to expose the layers. Twist the two halves around each other like a braid.

  7. Second Rise: Place the braided dough in a greased loaf pan. Cover and let it rise again for about 30-45 minutes.

  8. Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the babka for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown on top.

  9. Finish with Syrup: Slowly brush sugar syrup over the top of the hot babka immediately after removing it from the oven to give it a nice glaze.

  10. Cool and Serve: Allow it to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

How to Serve Blueberry Cream Cheese Babka

Blueberry Cream Cheese Babka is best served warm or at room temperature. Cut it into thick slices and pair it with a cup of coffee or tea for a delightful breakfast or afternoon snack. You can also serve it with a dollop of whipped cream or a sprinkle of powdered sugar for an added touch of sweetness.

How to Store Blueberry Cream Cheese Babka

To store your babka, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. It can be kept at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate it for up to a week or freeze it for up to 3 months. To enjoy it later, simply let it thaw and warm it slightly in the oven.

Tips to Make Blueberry Cream Cheese Babka

  • Make sure the yeast is fresh for the dough to rise properly.
  • If using frozen blueberries, there’s no need to thaw them before use. Just toss them in directly from the freezer.
  • Adjust the sugar in the blueberry preserves based on your taste preference.
  • To make the rolling and shaping easier, flour your work surface well.

Variation

You can switch up the fruit in this recipe by using raspberries or cherries instead of blueberries for a different flavor. Additionally, try adding a sprinkle of cinnamon to the cream cheese filling for a warm spice note.

FAQs

Can I use other types of cheese for the filling?
Yes, you can use mascarpone or ricotta cheese instead of cream cheese for a different flavor and texture.

How can I tell when the babka is done baking?
The babka should be golden brown on top, and you can also check if it sounds hollow when you tap the bottom of the loaf.

Can this recipe be doubled?
Absolutely! Just double the ingredients and use two loaf pans for baking.

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Blueberry Cream Cheese Babka

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  • Author: jurgentukur
  • Total Time: 80 minutes
  • Yield: 1 loaf
  • Diet: Vegetarian
Print Recipe

Description

A delightful sweet babka filled with blueberry preserves and creamy cheese, perfect for breakfast or brunch.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Blueberries (Fresh or frozen)
  • 1 cup Sugar (Sweeten to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
  • 8 oz Cream Cheese (Softened)
  • 1/2 cup Sugar (For cream cheese filling)
  • 4 cups All-Purpose Flour
  • 2 teaspoons Active Dry Yeast
  • 1 cup Milk (Warm)
  • 2 large Eggs
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter (Very soft)
  • 1/4 cup Sugar Syrup (For glazing)

Instructions

  1. Make the Blueberry Preserves: In a small pot, combine blueberries, 1 cup of sugar, and lemon juice. Cook on medium heat until the blueberries burst and thickens, then set aside to cool.
  2. Prepare Cream Cheese Filling: Mix softened cream cheese with 1/2 cup sugar until smooth and set aside.
  3. Make the Dough: Mix warm milk and active dry yeast in a bowl and let it sit for 5 minutes. In a larger bowl, combine flour, eggs, vanilla, and soft butter. Add yeast mixture and knead until soft and elastic.
  4. First Rise: Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 60 minutes or until doubled in size.
  5. Shape the Dough: Punch down the dough and roll it into a rectangle. Spread cream cheese filling and blueberry preserves evenly.
  6. Braid the Logs: Roll the dough tightly into a log, cut it in half lengthwise, and twist the two halves around each other.
  7. Second Rise: Place braided dough in a greased loaf pan, cover, and let rise for 30-45 minutes.
  8. Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown.
  9. Finish with Syrup: Brush sugar syrup over the hot babka immediately after removing it from the oven.
  10. Cool and Serve: Let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Use fresh yeast for a proper rise. Adjust sugar in the preserves to taste. Flour the work surface to ease rolling and shaping.

  • Prep Time: 45 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

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