Honey Babka Recipe with Creamy Frosting | Sweet Bread Dessert Idea
This honey babka recipe with creamy frosting is the ultimate sweet bread dessert! Soft, fluffy layers of rich dough are swirled with golden honey, baked to perfection, and finished with a luscious frosting. Perfect for holidays, brunch, or anytime you want to impress with a homemade treat that looks as good as it tastes.
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Stand mixer or whisk
- Rolling Pin
- Loaf pan (9x5 inch)
- Serrated knife
- Cooling rack
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2¼ tsp active dry yeast
- ½ cup warm milk
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ tsp salt
For the Filling:
- ½ cup honey
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
For the Frosting:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare dough: Dissolve yeast in warm milk with sugar. Add flour, eggs, butter, and salt. Knead until smooth. Cover and let rise until doubled (1–2 hours).
- Roll and fill: Roll dough into a rectangle. Spread honey evenly, sprinkle cinnamon and nuts.
- Shape and braid: Roll into a log, slice lengthwise, and twist halves together. Place in greased loaf pan.
- Second rise: Cover and let rise for 30 minutes.
- Bake: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 35–40 minutes until golden.
- Cool and frost: Allow babka to cool completely. Beat cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Spread frosting over cooled loaf.
- Expert tip: Chill dough slightly before braiding for neat, defined layers.
Notes
- Storage: Keep in airtight container for 2–3 days. Freeze slices for up to 2 months.
- Reheating: Warm gently in oven at 300°F (150°C). Avoid microwaving to preserve texture.
- Variations: Try walnut honey babka, spiced cardamom filling, vegan agave version, or cranberry holiday twist.
- Tip: Always cool babka before frosting to prevent melting.