
Ingredients
- 450g strong white bread flour, plus extra for dusting
- 40g caster sugar
- 7g sachet fast-action yeast
- 5g fine sea salt
- 1 medium egg
- 200ml milk, warm
- 60g unsalted butter, softened, plus 115g (very soft) for the filling and 15g to glaze
- 100g clear honey, plus 40g to glaze
- 40g white miso paste, plus 1tsp to glaze
- 65g light brown soft sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
Method
Step 1
In a large bowl, mix the flour, caster sugar, yeast and salt. Stir in the egg and milk to form a shaggy dough. Knead for 5-7 mins until starting to smooth out, then add the 60g softened butter little by little, kneading well each time. Continue kneading for 8-10 mins until glossy and elastic. Cover with a clean, damp tea towel; leave to prove somewhere warm for 60-90 mins until doubled in size. Knock back the dough, then cover and chill for 30 mins (this makes shaping much easier and gives cleaner, more defined swirls).Step 2
For the filling, mix the 115g very soft butter, 100g honey, 40g miso, brown sugar and vanilla until spreadable.Step 3
On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a 25 cm x 40 cm rectangle, 5 mm thick. Spread the filling evenly over the dough, leaving a 1 cm border along one long edge.Step 4
Roll the dough from the long side opposite the border into a tight log, pressing as you go to keep it compact. Pinch the seam closed and chill for 15 mins to firm up.Step 5
Line a 900g loaf tin. Using a sharp knife, cut the log in half lengthways to expose the layers. Twist the halves around each other like a rope, keeping the swirls facing up. Lift into the tin, tuck the ends under, then cover and prove for 40-60 mins until nearly filling the tin.Step 6
Preheat the oven to 180°C/ 160°C fan/gas 4. Bake for 35-40 mins until golden and cooked through (tent with foil if browning too quickly).Step 7
Heat the remaining butter, honey and miso in a pan; brush over the hot babka to glaze. Cool for at least 20 mins before slicing. Store in an airtight container for 3 days, or freeze, sliced, for up to 2 months; toast from frozen.