Description

Enjoy a soft, sweet Lemon Blueberry Babka, filled with a tangy lemon cream cheese and fresh blueberries, braided into a beautiful loaf. This homemade yeast bread is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.

Ingredients

For the Dough:

1 cup warm whole milk (about 110°F)

2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)

1/4 cup granulated sugar

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

For the Lemon Blueberry Filling:

8 oz cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup granulated sugar

Zest of 1 lemon

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries

For the Glaze:

1/4 cup powdered sugar

1 tablespoon lemon juice

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Instructions

Make the dough:
In a small bowl, combine warm milk and yeast; let sit 5 minutes until foamy. In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, and salt. Add egg, vanilla, and yeast mixture. Mix until combined. Add softened butter and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8-10 minutes. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
Prepare the filling:
Beat cream cheese, sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice until smooth. Gently fold in blueberries.
Assemble the babka:
Roll dough into a rectangle on a floured surface. Spread lemon blueberry filling evenly over dough, leaving a small border. Roll dough tightly into a log. Slice the log lengthwise and twist the two strands together, keeping filling side up. Place in a loaf pan, cover, and let rise for 45 minutes.
Bake:
Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Bake babka for 40-45 minutes until golden and cooked through. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
Add glaze:
Mix powdered sugar and lemon juice to make glaze. Drizzle over cooled babka.

Notes

Use fresh blueberries for best texture and flavor.
Dough can be prepared the night before and refrigerated for a slow rise.
Store leftover babka wrapped at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: Rise Time: 2 hours Bake Time: 40-45 minutes
Category: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Method: Yeast Bread, Baking
Cuisine: American