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Home » Ukrainian Babka Bread (Easter Bread)

Ukrainian Babka Bread (Easter Bread)

Mar 11, 2016 · 10 Comments

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Ukrainian Bakba Bread is a Polish Easter Bread that is buttery and lightly sweet.  Studded with golden raisins it makes a delicious Easter morning bread or to serve with dinner. 

Ukrainian Babka Easter Bread sliced showing the golden raisins.

Growing up as an only child has its advantages and being the only grandchild was one of them.  I didn’t have to share their attention and often they would save me from getting into trouble.  

My Dad’s side of the family is Ukrainian and I can remember going to the church where my great uncle was the priest and listening to the sermons and choir all in Ukrainian.  I had no clue what they were saying or singing but I loved hearing the language.  

Sometimes I would get to sit up in the balcony and look down and the sounds of the choir echoed beautifully up there.  Other times, I am sure when I heard my Grammy say something in Ukrainian she was telling me “what for”.

Visiting my grandparents’ home at Easter was a favorite of mine for many reasons. The colorful hand-crafted eggs that were displayed which I stared at but was not allowed to hold or touch the delicate works of art.  The trips to the local butcher shop to get fresh kielbasa for Easter dinner and homemade pierogies were tops in my book.  

I also loved all of the sweet treats only made during this holiday and Babka bread was my (and still is) favorite.  I could eat this and nothing else and be happy, happy, happy!   Being a small child, I don’t really remember my Grammy making this bread, but Dad assured me she did because the bread was always there, sliced, and ready for me to dive into.  Over the years, my Dad would make it at home and it was just as delicious.

Babka bread slices close up on placemat

What is Babka bread?

Babka bread is an Ukrainian sweet, leavened bread made with a rich dough (often containing golden raisins), which is made for Easter Sunday to celebrate the rising of Christ. Traditionally, this bread is shaped  into decorative shapes; but I am not that talented – yet.

Ukrainian Cookbook and Recipe

The recipe I am using is from one of the Ukrainian cookbooks that was handed down to me from my Dad. I can hardly wait to look at all of the recipes and see what else I can make.

Do you have any favorite ethnic Easter recipes? If so, I’d love to learn about them!

How to Make Ukrainian Babka Recipe

I confess, this is my first time making Babka bread and I actually made it two times in a row to get it right.  The real test will be when my Dad tastes it!  Just a little nervous about that…

I like to gather all of my ingredients so that I know I have everything I need before I start.  I also make sure my yeast hasn’t expired.  

ingredients for babka bread with stand mixer in background

Then in the bowl of your stand mixer, stir the yeast into the warm milk to dissolve and let sit for 5 minutes. This is proofing your yeast to see if it’s active.  It’ll be active if it’s foaming and bubbly.  

First Rise of Babka Dough

Once this is done, add 3 cups flour and mix with a wooden spoon. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in a warm, draft-free area until the dough has doubled in size, 1 1/2 – 2 hours.

First Rise of bread dough in bowl
This is after the dough rose the first time – the smell of yeast breads is like none other, in my opinion.

If you choose to use the golden raisins, soak the raisins for 30 minutes in warm water, then drain and pat dry with paper towels before using. This will keep the raisins soft in the bread and not hard.

 

 

Second Rise of Babka bread dough

Transfer the dough to the bowl of an electric stand mixer and add the sugar, melted butter, egg yolks, salt, vanilla, and golden raisins. Mix to just combine.

Add the 4 cups of flour, one at time; mixing between each cup. Mix on low to medium-low speed until the dough comes together, adding more flour one tablespoon at a time, if needed. The dough will be a bit sticky.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until it forms a smooth dough, about 5 minutes, again adding more flour one tablespoon at a time, if needed.

Divide the dough into three equal sections and shape into loaves, then transfer to three 8×4-inch greased loaf pans. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rise until doubled in size.

The second attempt at this bread, I added a bit more sugar so the rising time was about an hour longer.  Well worth the wait when it was baked. The egg wash gives the crust a nice shiny finish.

2nd rise of babka bread with dough in baking loaf pans

After adding the rest of the flour and other ingredients, it was time for the dough to rise a second time.  Be sure your pans are well greased!

The second attempt at this bread, I added a bit more sugar so the rising time was about an hour longer.  Well worth the wait when it was baked. The egg wash gives the crust a nice shiny finish.

egg wash being added to babka bread dough that is ready to bake

When the dough has about 10 minutes left to rise, preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  Brush the tops of the loaves with the egg wash.  Bake the loaves for 10 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 350 degrees F** and bake for an additional 40 minutes, or until the loaves are golden brown. If the loaves are beginning to get too dark, place a tented or loose piece of foil over top. 

 

3 loaves Babka Bread baked and cooling on wire racks

Ahhh….perfection! I’m telling you, this bread is worth the kneading (yes I did it by hand once the mixer combined all of the ingredients) and the two rising times.

How Long Does Ukrainian Babka Bread Last?

Easter bread lasts about 3-4 days. If you’re making it ahead of time, you can keep it on the counter in an airtight container. It also freezes well.  Wrap cooled bread with aluminum foil and place bread in an airtight freezer plastic bag or container and store in freezer.

 

Printable Babka Bread Recipe

Ukrainian Babka Bread (Easter Bread)

Ukrainian Bakba Bread is a Polish Easter Bread that is buttery and lightly sweet.  Studded with golden raisins it makes a delicious Easter morning bread or to serve with dinner. 
4.56 from 9 votes
Print Pin Rate
Keyword: Babka, Babka bread, banana bread, Easter, Ukrainian Easter Bread
Servings: 3 loaves

Ingredients

  • 2 cakes fresh yeast or substitute 2 packets active dry yeast - 4½ teaspoons
  • 2 cups whole milk warmed to 110 degrees F
  • 7 to 8 cups all-purpose flour divided
  • 1 1/4 cup granulated sugar*
  • ½ cup unsalted butter melted and cooled to room temperature
  • 5 egg yolks lightly beaten
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 2 cups golden raisins optional

For the Egg Wash:

  • 1 egg yolk beaten with 1 tablespoon water

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, stir the yeast into the warm milk to dissolve and let sit for 5 minutes.
  • Add 3 cups flour and mix with a wooden spoon. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in a warm, draft-free area until the dough has doubled in size, about 1 1/2 - 2 hours
  • If you choose to use the golden raisins, soak the raisins for 30 minutes in warm water, then drain and pat dry with paper towels before using. This will keep the raisins soft in the bread and not hard.
  • Transfer the dough to the bowl of an electric stand mixer and add the sugar, melted butter, egg yolks, salt, vanilla, and golden raisins. Mix to just combine.
  • Add the 4 cups of flour, one at time; mixing between each cup.
  • Mix on low to medium-low speed until the dough comes together, adding more flour one tablespoon at a time, if needed. The dough will be a bit sticky.
  • Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until it forms a smooth dough, about 5 minutes, again adding more flour one tablespoon at a time, if needed.
  • Divide the dough into three equal sections and shape into loaves, then transfer to three 8x4-inch greased loaf pans. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rise until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours.
  • When the dough has about 10 minutes left to rise, preheat oven to 400 degrees F. **
  • Brush the tops of the loaves with the egg wash.
  • Bake the loaves for 10 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 350 degrees F** and bake for an additional 40 minutes, or until the loaves are golden brown.
  • If the loaves are beginning to get too dark, place a tented or loose piece of foil over top.
  • Let the bread to cool in the pans for about 15 minutes, then turn the loaves onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  • ***Store leftover bread in a re-sealable plastic bag and keep at room temperature for up to 3 days.
  • Recipe from Ukrainian Cookbook by the SS Peter and Paul Church

Notes

*The original recipe used only 1 cup of sugar. It wasn’t as sweet as I wanted it to be so I increased it by 1/4 cup. Don’t add more than 1/3 cup extra sugar or you will risk the dough not rising properly to bake.
**If you are using dark, non-stick loaf pans, be sure to reduce the oven temperature by 25 degrees F. I used dark, non-stick pans so I preheated my oven to 375 degrees F and baked for 10 minutes, then reduced the temperature to 325 degrees F for the remaining 30-40 minutes.
***Store leftover bread in a re-sealable plastic bag and keep at room temperature for up to 3 days. It will also freeze well.

Ukrainian Babka Bread image with text overlay

Other Homemade Bread Recipes You May Enjoy:

Homemade White Bread
Making Homemade Bread
Easy Homemade Rosemary Bread

 

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Bread, Easter Recipes, Holidays Babka bread, baking, bread, Easter bread, Ukrainian

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sheila says

    April 10, 2020 at 4:14 PM

    5 stars
    Instead of buying Easter bread this year, I found your recipe and made bread. It was an easy recipe for a non bread maker and it turned out tasting great. My question is — can one make this recipe into one 3 braided loaf and, if so, how long would it bake?

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      April 11, 2020 at 10:48 AM

      Hi Shelia, thank you for trying the recipe and enjoying it! I’ve never made it into a braid but yes it can be done. As for time to bake, I would suggest starting with 35 minutes and check it every few minutes after that.

      Reply
  2. Jennifer says

    April 11, 2020 at 10:21 PM

    5 stars
    I baked this exactly as written and it came out like my best memories of babka growing up. Perfect recipe. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      April 12, 2020 at 8:43 AM

      Jennifer, this made me smile! Thank you! I am so glad it brought back memories for you. It does the same with me!

      Reply
  3. Sandra says

    January 7, 2021 at 12:53 PM

    Lisa,

    I’m so jealous I wish I could find your cookbook but I see it’s not online! So hard to find good recipies from the heart!

    Best regards,

    Sandra

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      January 7, 2021 at 3:38 PM

      Aww thank you Sandra! That cookbook is so old and it was a church cookbook so I don’t think you’ll find it online

      Reply
  4. Judy says

    March 16, 2021 at 5:33 PM

    In your recipe you do not leave how long it will take for the dough to rise. On the first rise I let it rise for about a half an hour and it’ did double in size. On the second rise I have waited about 2 hrs and it has not risen much, how much longer should I wait?

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      March 18, 2021 at 10:32 AM

      The first rise takes about 1 1/2 to 2 hours and the second about an hour give or take the warmness of the place you have the dough rising and also the humidity. I hope it turned out!

      Reply
  5. Laudine says

    April 16, 2022 at 11:07 AM

    I tried your Babka recipe twice and both were a flop! The first time I blamed it on expired yeast. The second try I followed all the directions and still like bricks. What am I doing wrong? Should I wait longer than 5 minutes to proof the yeast?

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      April 18, 2022 at 12:35 PM

      I’m sorry the bread didn’t rise like it should have. I’ve not had a problem with that. That being said, maybe it needed a bit more time to rise or placed in a warmer location to rise? Did you add extra sugar than the recipe calls for? Adding too much sugar can also contribute to the dough not rising properly.

      Reply

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