If you’re craving something cozy, comforting, and crowd-pleasing, this Apple Cinnamon Babka Bread is your new favorite bake.
Babka, a sweet braided bread with rich cultural roots, gets a fruity, spiced upgrade with this apple-cinnamon twist that tastes like fall in every slice.
Whether you’re baking for the holidays, brunch with friends, or just because it’s a showstopper that looks impressive but is surprisingly doable at home.
Apple Cinnamon Babka Bread not only captures the essence of autumn, but it also makes for the perfect edible gift or centerpiece on your holiday table.
Let’s get started!
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make the perfect Apple Cinnamon Babka Bread, you’ll need two key components: a rich yeast dough and a sweet apple cinnamon filling.
For the Dough:
- All-purpose flour
- Instant yeast
- Warm milk
- Granulated sugar
- Salt
- Eggs
- Unsalted butter (softened)
For the Apple Cinnamon Filling:
- Fresh apples (peeled and finely chopped)
- Brown sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Unsalted butter
- Lemon juice
- Optional: a pinch of nutmeg or allspice
Optional Toppings:
- Streusel crumble
- Simple vanilla glaze
- Powdered sugar dusting
How to Make Apple Cinnamon Babka Bread: Step-by-Step
Making babka may look intricate, but broken down into steps, it’s completely approachable.
1. Make the Dough
- In a large bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and a pinch of sugar. Let sit until frothy.
- Add eggs, sugar, flour, and salt. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead in the softened butter until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
- Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1–2 hours, or until doubled in size.
2. Prepare the Apple Cinnamon Filling
- While the dough is rising, cook the chopped apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, butter, and lemon juice.
- Simmer until the apples are soft and the mixture thickens slightly. Let cool completely before using.
3. Roll, Fill, and Shape
- Roll the dough into a rectangle on a floured surface.
- Spread the cooled apple cinnamon filling evenly over the dough.
- Roll up tightly into a log, then slice lengthwise to expose the swirls.
- Twist the two halves together, keeping the cut sides facing up.
4. Second Rise and Bake
- Place the twisted loaf into a greased loaf pan.
- Cover and let rise for 45 minutes to an hour.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake for 40–45 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
- Optional: Brush with syrup or top with streusel or glaze while warm.
Tips for the Perfect Babka Every Time
- Chill the dough slightly before rolling to make shaping easier.
- Drain excess liquid from the apple mixture to prevent soggy dough.
- Use parchment paper in the loaf pan to help with removal.
- Don’t skip the second rise—it ensures a fluffy, light interior.
- To freeze: Wrap the baked and cooled babka tightly in plastic and freeze for up to 3 months.
Serving Ideas & Occasions
Apple Cinnamon Babka Bread is incredibly versatile and can be served in a variety of ways:
- Toasted with butter for a decadent breakfast.
- Sliced and used for French toast or bread pudding.
- Served alongside tea, cider, or coffee for brunch.
- Wrapped in parchment and ribbon for a thoughtful holiday gift.
- Displayed as a centerpiece for Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, or Christmas.
Storing and Freezing Babka Bread
To keep your babka fresh:
- Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Refrigerate for longer storage, up to 5 days.
- For freezing, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Slice before freezing for easy reheating.
- To reheat, warm slices in the oven or toaster for the best texture.
Recipe FAQ’s
Can I make the dough in advance?
Yes! You can prepare the dough and let it rise overnight in the fridge. Bring to room temp before rolling out.
Can I freeze this babka?
Absolutely. Once baked and cooled, wrap the loaf tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw and reheat before serving.
How do I prevent the filling from leaking?
Let the apple mixture cool completely and slightly drain excess liquid before spreading it on the dough.
Apple Cinnamon Babka Bread Recipe
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) instant yeast
- ½ cup warm milk about 110°F
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened (1 stick)
For the Apple Cinnamon Filling:
- 2 cups peeled, finely chopped apples (about 2 medium apples)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg optional
Optional Toppings:
- ½ cup streusel crumble or
- ½ cup powdered sugar for dusting or
- ½ cup simple vanilla glaze mix ½ cup powdered sugar with 1 tbsp milk and ½ tsp vanilla
Instructions
Make the Dough
- In a large bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and a pinch of sugar. Let sit until frothy.
- Add eggs, sugar, flour, and salt. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead in the softened butter until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
- Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1–2 hours, or until doubled in size.
Prepare the Apple Cinnamon Filling
- While the dough is rising, cook the chopped apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, butter, and lemon juice.
- Simmer until the apples are soft and the mixture thickens slightly. Let cool completely before using.
Roll, Fill, and Shape
- Roll the dough into a rectangle on a floured surface.
- Spread the cooled apple cinnamon filling evenly over the dough.
- Roll up tightly into a log, then slice lengthwise to expose the swirls.
- Twist the two halves together, keeping the cut sides facing up.
Second Rise and Bake
- Place the twisted loaf into a greased loaf pan.
- Cover and let rise for 45 minutes to an hour.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake for 40–45 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
- Optional: Brush with syrup or top with streusel or glaze while warm.