* ¾ c whole milk, warm
* ⅓ c granulated sugar
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 2 teaspoon active dry yeast
* 2 large eggs
* 3 c all purpose flour
* ½ teaspoon salt
* 6 tablespoon unsalted butter, at room temperature, cut into small cubes
***Nutella Filling***
* 1-¼ c Nutella chocolate hazelnut spread
* ¼ c unsalted butter, melted
* ¾ c finely chopped hazelnuts
***Simple Syrup***
* ½ c granulated sugar
* ½ c water
**INSTRUCTIONS**
1. The first step is to let the yeast bloom for a few minutes while you gather the rest of your ingredients.
2. Stir together warm milk, sugar, vanilla, and yeast. Let sit for about 5 minutes.
3. Next, using a dough hook attachment, add the flour, salt, and eggs, and mix again at low speed.
4. Keeping the dough hook on low speed, add the butter a few cubes at a time, and then let it continue kneading on the same speed for 5 minutes. During this time, the dough will pull together nicely and form into a sticky dough.
5. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in a warm spot to proof for 2 hours or until the dough has doubled in size.
6. Once the dough has doubled in size, roll it out on a lightly floured surface, until it measures approximately 14″ x 16″.
7. Cut the edges to make a rectangle shape (I like to use a pizza cutter to easily make smooth, straight lines).
8. Stir together the Nutella and melted butter.
9. Very gently spread the Nutella and butter mixture over the dough using a rubber spatula, being careful not to tear the dough, then sprinkle finely chopped hazelnuts over the spread.
10. Starting on a long side, tightly roll up the dough into a log shape.
11. Then, with the seam side facing down, slice the roll in half lengthwise, with the filling side facing up.
12. Twist the two sides and pinch the ends together to form a long braided loaf.
13. Place in a parchment lined 9″ loaf pan.
14. Lightly cover with plastic wrap and place in a warm spot to let it rise again for 2 hours.
15. Preheat oven to 350℉.
16. Remove the plastic wrap from your loaf pan and bake the bakba on the middle rack of your oven for 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the bread comes out clean.
17. While the babka is baking, make the simple syrup.
18. Simply stir together sugar and water and simmer on the stove for a few minutes until the sugar has completely dissolved. Then remove from heat and let cool.
19. Once the babka has finished baking but while it’s still warm and in the lined loaf pan, brush the simple syrup over the top. Yes, all of it!
20. Let the babka soak up all the syrup and cool completely before removing from the pan.
21. Serve and enjoy!
# Nutella Babka
For full recipe, tips, & tricks, please visit: [https://maplewoodroad.com/nutella-babka/](https://maplewoodroad.com/nutella-babka/)
**INGREDIENTS**
***Babka Dough***
* ¾ c whole milk, warm
* ⅓ c granulated sugar
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 2 teaspoon active dry yeast
* 2 large eggs
* 3 c all purpose flour
* ½ teaspoon salt
* 6 tablespoon unsalted butter, at room temperature, cut into small cubes
***Nutella Filling***
* 1-¼ c Nutella chocolate hazelnut spread
* ¼ c unsalted butter, melted
* ¾ c finely chopped hazelnuts
***Simple Syrup***
* ½ c granulated sugar
* ½ c water
**INSTRUCTIONS**
1. The first step is to let the yeast bloom for a few minutes while you gather the rest of your ingredients.
2. Stir together warm milk, sugar, vanilla, and yeast. Let sit for about 5 minutes.
3. Next, using a dough hook attachment, add the flour, salt, and eggs, and mix again at low speed.
4. Keeping the dough hook on low speed, add the butter a few cubes at a time, and then let it continue kneading on the same speed for 5 minutes. During this time, the dough will pull together nicely and form into a sticky dough.
5. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in a warm spot to proof for 2 hours or until the dough has doubled in size.
6. Once the dough has doubled in size, roll it out on a lightly floured surface, until it measures approximately 14″ x 16″.
7. Cut the edges to make a rectangle shape (I like to use a pizza cutter to easily make smooth, straight lines).
8. Stir together the Nutella and melted butter.
9. Very gently spread the Nutella and butter mixture over the dough using a rubber spatula, being careful not to tear the dough, then sprinkle finely chopped hazelnuts over the spread.
10. Starting on a long side, tightly roll up the dough into a log shape.
11. Then, with the seam side facing down, slice the roll in half lengthwise, with the filling side facing up.
12. Twist the two sides and pinch the ends together to form a long braided loaf.
13. Place in a parchment lined 9″ loaf pan.
14. Lightly cover with plastic wrap and place in a warm spot to let it rise again for 2 hours.
15. Preheat oven to 350℉.
16. Remove the plastic wrap from your loaf pan and bake the bakba on the middle rack of your oven for 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the bread comes out clean.
17. While the babka is baking, make the simple syrup.
18. Simply stir together sugar and water and simmer on the stove for a few minutes until the sugar has completely dissolved. Then remove from heat and let cool.
19. Once the babka has finished baking but while it’s still warm and in the lined loaf pan, brush the simple syrup over the top. Yes, all of it!
20. Let the babka soak up all the syrup and cool completely before removing from the pan.
21. Serve and enjoy!