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Lemon Blueberry Babka

A delightful and fluffy braided loaf filled with zesty lemon and plump blueberries, drizzled with sugary glaze, perfect for brunch or dessert.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250

Ingredients
  

For the Dough
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons instant yeast
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup warm milk
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs Room temperature
For the Filling
  • 1 cup fresh blueberries Can use frozen if fresh is unavailable
  • 2 zests of lemons
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
For the Glaze
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Method
 

Prepare the Dough
  1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, instant yeast, and salt.
  2. In a separate bowl, mix the warm milk, softened butter, and eggs until well combined.
  3. Slowly pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and mix until a dough forms.
  4. Knead for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Let the Dough Rise
  1. Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Prepare the Filling
  1. In a small bowl, mix together the blueberries, lemon zest, and sugar.
Roll and Assemble
  1. Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out into a rectangle shape.
  2. Brush the melted butter over the dough, then sprinkle the blueberry mixture evenly on top.
  3. Roll the dough tightly into a log, then slice it in half lengthwise.
  4. Twist the two halves together to form a braid and place it in a greased loaf pan.
Second Rise
  1. Cover the braided loaf with a kitchen towel and let it rise again for about 30-45 minutes.
Bake
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the babka for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown.
Make the Glaze
  1. While the babka cools, whisk together the powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth, and drizzle it over the cooled loaf.

Notes

Use room temperature ingredients for best results. Don't skip the second rise for a pillowy-soft texture. Experiment with flavors by swapping blueberries for other fruits or changing the glaze with different citrus juices. Store leftovers wrapped tightly to keep fresh.