Chocolate Coffee Babka Wreath

Dough ingredients

• 1 tbsp yeast (11g)
• 50 ml warm water
• 3 tbsp granulated sugar
• 200 ml milk
• 2 eggs
• 1 tbsp Vanilla
• 460 g flour
• 100 g butter

Chocolate Filling ingredients

• 110 g butter
• 150 g semi-sweet chocolate
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• ½ cup cocoa
• 1 tbsp instant coffee
• Pinch of salt

Caramel Syrup ingredients

• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup water

Instructions day 1

1. In a bowl, whisk together the warm water, yeast, and a pinch of sugar and let it rest until fluffy for 5-7 min.
2. In a large bowl (preferably of a stand mixer), put flour, milk, remaining sugar, salt, eggs, vanilla, and yeast.
3. Mix them until combined for about 3-4 minutes. Then, cover it with a cloth or plastic wrap and let it rest at room temperature for 10-12 minutes.
4. After that, knead the dough by stand mixer or hand. Add room temperature butter to the dough and continue to knead for 12-15 minutes.
5. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and keep it in the refrigerator overnight. If you have limited time, you can keep it for around 3 hours.

Instructions day 2

1. Prepare the chocolate paste; in a medium saucepan, place the butter and chocolate and stir over low heat until the chocolate is completely melted. Remove the pan from the heat and add the cocoa, powdered sugar, coffee, and salt. Whisk until the ingredients are well combined and let it cool at room temp.
2. Transfer the dough onto a floured counter and using a rolling pin, roll out the dough into a 26x16 inch (70x40cm) rectangle. Spread the chocolate mixture on the dough with a spatula.
3. Tightly roll up the dough from the long side, transfer the roll to a baking sheet and leave it in the freezer for 5-10 minutes for it to be cut easily.
4. Remove the roll from the freezer and using a knife cut down the middle lengthwise. Knit the dough sides as in the IG Reel, curl into a circle and fix the ends to make a wreath. Transfer to a baking sheet carefully. Cover the wreath with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let it rest for 60-75 minutes.
5. Preheat the oven 340-350F. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until its top turns brown.
6. Remove from the oven and brush with caramel syrup. Decorate it and serve.