Carrot Cake Babka with Cardamom Cream Cheese Drizzle

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Ingredients

Babka Dough

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 packet (2¼ tsp) active dry yeast
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ¾ cup warm milk
  • 2 large eggs
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened

Carrot Cake Filling

  • 1½ cups finely grated carrots
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
  • 2 tbsp melted butter
  • ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
  • ¼ cup raisins (optional)

Cardamom Cream Cheese Drizzle

  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2–3 tbsp milk
  • ¼ tsp ground cardamom
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough

  1. In a large bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and sugar. Let stand for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
  2. Add eggs, flour, salt, and cinnamon.
  3. Mix until a dough forms.
  4. Knead in the softened butter and continue kneading for 8–10 minutes until smooth.
  5. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1–1½ hours, or until doubled in size.

2. Make the Filling

  1. In a bowl, mix grated carrots, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and melted butter.
  2. Stir in nuts and raisins if using.

3. Shape the Babka

  1. Roll the dough into a large rectangle.
  2. Spread the carrot filling evenly over the dough.
  3. Roll tightly into a log.
  4. Slice the log lengthwise down the center.
  5. Twist the two halves together with the filling exposed.
  6. Transfer to a greased loaf pan.

4. Second Rise

  1. Cover and let rise for 30–45 minutes.

5. Bake

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Bake for 35–40 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.
  3. Cool completely.

6. Make the Drizzle

  1. Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, cardamom, vanilla, and milk until smooth.
  2. Drizzle generously over the cooled babka.

7. Serve

  1. Slice and serve.

Tips

  • Freshly grated carrots provide the best flavor and moisture.
  • Toast the nuts before adding them to enhance their flavor.
  • Orange zest can be added to the drizzle for extra brightness.
  • Store covered at room temperature for up to 2 days.

Prep Time

30 minutes

Rise Time

2 hours

Bake Time

40 minutes

Total Time

3 hours 10 minutes

Servings

10–12 slices

Nutritional Information (Approximate per slice)

  • Calories: 320–400 kcal
  • Protein: 5–7 g
  • Fat: 12–18 g
  • Carbohydrates: 45–55 g
  • Fiber: 1–3 g
  • Sugar: 20–28 g

Conclusion

Carrot Cake Babka with Cardamom Cream Cheese Drizzle offers the perfect balance of soft enriched dough, spiced carrot filling, and creamy frosting. It is an impressive homemade bake that looks as good as it tastes.

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