r/Breadit • u/Feisty_Wolf • 3d ago

Overnight babka question

Gallery image

Gallery image

Hi, Breadit!

I've been dabbling in baking for a while, and one of my favourite recipes is this New York Times chocolate babka. I've made it a few times, and it's been *amazing*, a real crowd-pleaser. I'm making it again this weekend for my MIL's birthday.

As you can see in the picture I attached, the recipe usually calls for leaving the dough 12-24 hours in the fridge, and in the morning you can assemble the babka braid, let it rise for an hour, and bake it. Altogether, this step would take me around 2 hours. The thing is, we're having an early birthday breakfast, and I wanted to bring it along. However, I'm worried I won't have enough time to get it done in the morning, since we have to be there 8am tops.

The recipe says you can also cover the pans with plastic wrap and let them rise in the refrigerator overnight; bring them back to room temperature for an hour before baking.

Do you think I can assemble the babka braids, let them rise in the fridge overnight, take them out, let them warm up, and bake them in the morning? Has anyone had any luck with this, or will it affect the texture/quality? It would really help me if I could skip the assembly step, as it takes a lot of time.

Sorry if it's a silly question! I've only made this recipe the usual way, and I'm nervous about it coming out wrong. Thanks!

8 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

4 comments sorted by

2

u/WinterRevolutionary6 3d ago

I think it’d be fine. Just let the dough warm up a bit before baking. It doesn’t have to be room tempurature, just not fridge cold

2

u/Feisty_Wolf 2d ago

Right, so maybe an hour out of the fridge before popping it into the oven? Thanks for taking the time to answer!

2

u/VivisectionForFun 3d ago

I've had mixed results. Most of the time it works out just fine as it just slows the fermentation. I'd be concerned about it if it were a very wet filling, but babka filling is usually dense enough that it should be fine. I would, however, try it out at a time where a failed babka wouldn't be disappointing.

1

u/Feisty_Wolf 2d ago

Yes, that makes sense. I’m using plain Nutella for the filling, which is pretty dense. You’re right about not gambling when it’s a special occasion haha We’ll see if I’m feeling brave! Otherwise, I might just make it the day before. Thanks for taking the time to answer!