Babka

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Makes two (10 inch) cakes. Makes about 1 1/4 cup icing.

[edit] Ingredients

• 3 pk (1/4 oz) active dry yeast (3 tbsp)
• 3/4 c warm water (110F)
• 1 cup Sugar
• 7 3/4 cups all purpose flour
• 1 1/2 c milk
• 1 1/4 c unsalted butter or margarine
• 6 eggs
• 2 egg yolks
• 1 1/2 ts salt
• 2 egg whites

[edit] Directions

1. This desert, a cross between cake and sweet bread, is often baked for Easter.
2. Grease side and bottom of 2 (10 inch) tube pans.
3. In a shallow, medium bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water.
4. Add 1 Tbsp Sugar and 1/2 cup flour; stir to combine.
5. Cover; let stand in a warm place 5 to 10 minutes until foamy.
6. Heat milk and butter or margarine in a small saucepan until melted.
7. Let stand until mixture cools to warm. In a large bowl, beat eggs, egg yolks and remaining 1 cup Sugar until pale and frothy.
8. Add cooled milk mixture, salt and yeast mixture.
9. Beat until smooth. Gradually beat in 4 1/2 cups flour.
10. Stir in enough remaining flour to make a soft dough.
11. Turn out dough on a lightly floured surface.
12. Knead dough into a soft, smooth dough.
13. Divide dough in 1/2.
14. Arrange 1 part dough in each greased pan.
15. Cover with a damp cloth; let rise in a warm place, free from drafts, until doubled in bulk, about 2 hours.
16. Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly beat 2 egg whites in a small bowl until foamy. B
17. rush beaten egg whites on top of dough.
18. Evenly sprinkle Topping over dough.
19. Bake 50 to 55 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
20. Cool cakes in pans 3 to 4 minutes on racks.
21. Turn out of pans; cool completely on racks.
22. Frost with powdered sugar Icing if desired.
23. Toppings: In a small bowl, combine Sugar, flour, and cinnamon.
24. Using a pastry blender or 2 knives, cut in butter or margarine until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. powdered sugar Icing: 2 egg whites 1 1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar 1/2 tsp lemon juice.
25. In a medium bowl, beat egg whites until frothy. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating constantly.
26. Beat 10 minutes or until glossy. Add lemon juice; beat 2 minutes or until icing stands up in soft peaks.

[edit] See also