Description
To understand this luxurious creation, it helps to examine the two distinct heritage bakes that inspire it. Babka originated in Jewish communities across Eastern Europe, traditionalized as a rich brioche-style sweet yeast bread twisted around fillings of chocolate, cinnamon, or fruit preserves. On the other side of the culinary world, sticky toffee pudding is a legendary British staple known for its moist date sponge bathed in a warm, buttery sugar glaze.
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 500 g all-purpose flour
- 7 g instant yeast
- 60 g granulated sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- 180 ml warm whole milk
- 2 large eggs
- 75 g unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Date Molasses Filling
- 120 g soft pitted dates
- 80 g date molasses (dibs)
- 60 g unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground cardamom
- 50 g chopped walnuts or pecans
- Pinch of salt
For the Sticky Toffee Glaze
- 100 g brown sugar
- 60 g unsalted butter
- 100 ml heavy cream
- 2 tbsp date molasses
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
1. Make the dough
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt.
- Add the warm milk, eggs, and vanilla. Mix until a rough dough forms.
- Gradually add the softened butter and knead for 8–10 minutes, until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
- Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1–1½ hours, or until doubled in size.
2. Prepare the filling
- Finely chop or blend the dates with the date molasses until you have a thick paste.
- Mix in the softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, cardamom, and salt.
- Stir in the chopped walnuts or pecans.
3. Shape the buns
- Roll the risen dough into a rectangle approximately 40 × 30 cm.
- Spread the date filling evenly over the surface.
- Roll the dough tightly from the long side into a log.
- Cut the log into 12 equal pieces.
- Place the buns in a greased 23 × 33 cm baking pan, leaving a little space between them.
- Cover and let rise for another 30–45 minutes.
4. Bake
Preheat the oven to 180°C / 350°F.
Bake the buns for 25–30 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.
5. Make the sticky toffee glaze
While the buns bake, combine the brown sugar, butter, heavy cream, date molasses, vanilla, and salt in a small saucepan.
Heat over medium-low heat, stirring until the butter melts and the sauce becomes smooth and glossy. Simmer gently for 2–3 minutes.
6. Finish
Pour the warm sticky toffee glaze over the freshly baked buns. Allow them to absorb the sauce for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
- Category: Dessert / Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern–Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bun
- Calories: ~430 kcal
Keywords: Halal Sticky Toffee Babka Buns, Date Molasses Babka Rolls, Halal Date Toffee Buns, Sticky Toffee Babka Recipe