Polish coffee cake, or babka, is a beloved dessert with a long history and rich cultural significance. In this blog, I will share with you the Polish coffee cake recipe that is extremely delicious. This sweet, yeast-based cake has been a staple of Eastern European cuisine for centuries and is often served with coffee or tea. With its delicious flavor and unique braided shape, Polish coffee cake has become a favorite in many countries around the world.
Polish coffee cake is a dessert that is steeped in tradition. One of the most common ways to make it is to braid the dough, which is said to represent the Holy Trinity. The cake is often decorated with a simple glaze or streusel topping and is served on a special platter. In some regions of Poland, it is even customary to add a coin to the dough, with the belief that whoever finds it will have good luck for the rest of the year.
How To Make Polish Coffee Cake
One of the most distinctive features of Polish coffee cake is its braided shape, which is said to represent the Holy Trinity. This tradition has been passed down through generations of Polish families and is still observed in many homes and communities today. Whether you are a fan of this classic dessert or have never tried it before, there is no denying the cultural significance and delicious flavor of Polish coffee cake.
Ingredients To Make Polish Coffee Cake
- active dry yeast 2 package
- warm water 1/4 cup
- milk, scalded and cooled 1 1/2 cup
- granulated sugar 3/4 cup
- salt 1 teaspoon
- butter 1/2 cup
- eggs 3 large
- pure vanilla extract 1 teaspoon
- cinnamon, ground 1 teaspoon
- freshly grated nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon
- raisins 1/2 cup
- all-purpose flour 6-7 cups
For The Streusel Topping:
- all-purpose flour 1/4 cup
- granulated sugar 1/2 cup
- butter, cold 1/4 cup
- cinnamon, ground 1/2 teaspoon
Step By Step Instructions To Make Polish Coffee Cake
Step1
To begin, dissolve two packages of dry yeast in warm water until the mixture becomes foamy. Next, scald the milk and remove it from the heat. Mix in sugar, salt, and butter until well-blended, and allow it to cool until it reaches a lukewarm temperature.
Step2
Add the eggs one at a time, ensuring that each egg is thoroughly mixed in. Incorporate the yeast mixture, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and raisins. Gradually add flour, a cup or two at a time, mixing well for about five minutes. The resulting dough will be sticky and wet.
Step3
Cover the dough and allow it to rise in a warm location until it doubles in size. Meanwhile, prepare the streusel topping by mixing the ingredients until they are crumbly.
Step4
Once the dough has risen, punch it down. grease either two 9×5″ loaf pans or three smaller ones. Divide the dough between the pans, patting it down to even it out. Sprinkle the streusel topping over the loaves and let them rise in the pans until the dough reaches the top of the pans.
Step5
Bake the loaves at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 35 minutes or until they are golden brown. To avoid sugar spilling over and causing a mess in the oven, place the pans on a baking sheet. Remove the pans from the oven and take the loaves out of the pans, placing them on a rack to cool.
Tips and Tricks:
- Use warm water to dissolve the yeast. If the water is too hot, it can kill the yeast and prevent the dough from rising properly.
- Make sure the milk has cooled to a lukewarm temperature before adding it to the dough. If it is too hot, it can also kill the yeast.
- When adding the flour, do so gradually, mixing well after each addition. This will help ensure the dough is properly hydrated and prevent it from being too dry or too wet.
- To create a moist and tender crumb, don’t overmix the dough. Mix it just until all the ingredients are incorporated.
- Allow the dough to rise in a warm location, such as near a warm oven or in a draft-free area. This will help the yeast activate and cause the dough to rise properly.
- When making the streusel topping, use cold butter and mix the ingredients until they are crumbly. This will create a delicious, crunchy topping for the cake.
- To avoid the sugar in the topping from spilling over and making a mess in your oven, place the pans on a baking sheet before baking.
- After baking, allow the loaves to cool on a rack before slicing them. This will help them maintain their shape and prevent them from becoming soggy.
FAQs:
Q: How long will Polish coffee cake stay fresh?
A: Polish coffee cake will stay fresh for several days if stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature. It can also be frozen for up to a month and reheated in the oven or microwave.
Q: Is Polish coffee cake difficult to make?
A: While making Polish coffee cake does require some time and effort, it is not an overly complicated recipe. With a bit of practice, anyone can learn to make this delicious dessert.
Q: What type of coffee is best served with Polish coffee cake?
A: Polish coffee cake is often served with strong, dark coffee, such as espresso or French roast. However, it can also be enjoyed with lighter roasts or even tea. The choice of beverage is ultimately up to personal preference.
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Conclusions
In conclusion, Polish coffee cake or babka is a beloved dessert with a long history and rich cultural significance. The cake’s braided shape is said to represent the Holy Trinity and it is often decorated with a simple glaze or streusel topping. This recipe for Polish coffee cake is a sweet, yeast-based cake that is easy to make and is often served with coffee or tea. Whether you are a fan of this classic dessert or have never tried it before, there is no denying the cultural significance and delicious flavor of Polish coffee cake.
Polish Coffee Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 package active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup warm water
- 1 1/2 cup milk, scalded and cooled
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup butter
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ground
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 6-7 cups all-purpose flour
For The Streusel Topping:
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup butter, cold
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, ground
Instructions
- To begin, dissolve two packages of dry yeast in warm water until the mixture becomes foamy. Next, scald the milk and remove it from the heat. Mix in sugar, salt, and butter until well-blended, and allow it to cool until it reaches a lukewarm temperature.
- Add the eggs one at a time, ensuring that each egg is thoroughly mixed in. Incorporate the yeast mixture, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and raisins. Gradually add flour, a cup or two at a time, mixing well for about five minutes. The resulting dough will be sticky and wet.
- Cover the dough and allow it to rise in a warm location until it doubles in size. Meanwhile, prepare the streusel topping by mixing the ingredients until they are crumbly.
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down. grease either two 9×5" loaf pans or three smaller ones. Divide the dough between the pans, patting it down to even it out. Sprinkle the streusel topping over the loaves and let them rise in the pans until the dough reaches the top of the pans.
- Bake the loaves at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 35 minutes or until they are golden brown. To avoid sugar spilling over and causing a mess in the oven, place the pans on a baking sheet. Remove the pans from the oven and take the loaves out of the pans, placing them on a rack to cool.
Notes
- Use warm water to dissolve the yeast. If the water is too hot, it can kill the yeast and prevent the dough from rising properly.
- Make sure the milk has cooled to a lukewarm temperature before adding it to the dough. If it is too hot, it can also kill the yeast.
- When adding the flour, do so gradually, mixing well after each addition. This will help ensure the dough is properly hydrated and prevent it from being too dry or too wet.
- To create a moist and tender crumb, don’t overmix the dough. Mix it just until all the ingredients are incorporated.
- Allow the dough to rise in a warm location, such as near a warm oven or in a draft-free area. This will help the yeast activate and cause the dough to rise properly.
- When making the streusel topping, use cold butter and mix the ingredients until they are crumbly. This will create a delicious, crunchy topping for the cake.
- To avoid the sugar in the topping from spilling over and making a mess in your oven, place the pans on a baking sheet before baking.
- After baking, allow the loaves to cool on a rack before slicing them. This will help them maintain their shape and prevent them from becoming soggy.
