Pumpkin Spice Babka
with Pecans and Chocolate Chips
a sweet treat recipe
With a lifelong passion for cooking Chris brings a unique blend of culinary expertise, creativity, and artistic flair to every dish. Driven by an insatiable curiosity and a desire to merge artistic vision with the culinary arts, Chris has found true fulfillment as a recipe developer and photographer. Through the lens of the camera, Chris skillfully captures the essence and beauty of each dish, transforming food into visual poetry. The result is a captivating fusion of flavors, textures, and aesthetics, inviting you to savor every moment. Follow Chris’s culinary adventures on Instagram at
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This Pumpkin Spice Babka is a delicious autumn twist on a classic favorite that perfectly aligns with my love for warm, spiced flavors and visually appealing bakes. The tender, rich dough is swirled with a homemade pumpkin spice blend that I adore for its balanced combination of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves. The filling brings out the cozy flavors of pumpkin, enriched with brown sugar and a hint of buttery richness. (if you want to be extra indulgent, add in some chocolate chips and pecans). The result is a beautifully twisted loaf that’s both soft and slightly crisp on the outside, with every slice revealing layers of warm, spiced goodness.
This babka is not only a treat for the taste buds but also for the eyes, with its intricate swirls of vibrant orange pumpkin filling. I especially love how it fills my kitchen with the inviting aroma of fall spices, and it’s the perfect bake to share with family and friends—or to enjoy alongside a warm beverage as we soak in the season.
TIME (ACTIVE) | 1 H
TIME (INACTIVE) | 3 H
TOTAL | 4 H
8-10 SERVINGS
| Slice
Make the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.
- Add the warm milk and eggs to the dry ingredients and mix until a rough dough forms.
- Gradually add the softened butter, one tablespoon at a time, kneading the dough (about 10 minutes by hand or 5-7 minutes using a stand mixer with a dough hook) until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1.5 hours or until it has doubled in size.
Prepare the Filling:
- In a small bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, and melted butter. Mix until smooth and well combined.
- If using, fold in the mini chocolate chips and chopped nuts.
Assemble the Babka:
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle (about 16x12 inches).
- Spread the pumpkin spice filling evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border on all sides.
- Starting from one of the long sides, tightly roll the dough into a log.
- Using a sharp knife, slice the log lengthwise to expose the filling layers.
- Twist the two halves together, keeping the cut sides facing up, and form the twisted dough into a loaf shape.
- Place the loaf in a greased 9x5-inch loaf pan.
Second Rise and Bake:
- Cover the loaf pan with a towel and let the babka rise for another 45 minutes to 1 hour until it has puffed up.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare the egg wash by whisking together the egg and milk. Brush the top of the babka with the egg wash.
- Bake the babka for 35-40 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
Finish with Simple Syrup:
- While the babka is baking, make the simple syrup by combining the sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
- As soon as the babka comes out of the oven, brush it generously with the simple syrup to give it a beautiful shine and keep it moist.
Cool and Serve:
- Let the babka cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Slice and enjoy your pumpkin spice babka with a warm cup of coffee or tea!
This Pumpkin Spice Babka can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days. To keep it fresh, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container. If you'd like to store it longer, you can refrigerate it for up to a week, though it's best to bring it to room temperature or gently warm it before serving to enjoy the soft texture. Alternatively, you can freeze the babka for up to 2 months. Just wrap it well in plastic wrap and foil, and when you're ready to enjoy it, let it thaw at room temperature or warm it in the oven.
For a beautifully twisted babka, don't worry if the dough feels sticky or difficult to handle—this is normal! Lightly flour your hands and work surface, and twist the dough as tightly as you can. The tighter the twist, the more defined and striking the layers will be once baked, making for an impressive presentation.
For an even deeper flavor, consider letting the dough rise overnight in the refrigerator during the first rise. This slow fermentation process develops the dough's flavor, making your babka even more delicious. Just bring the dough back to room temperature before shaping and proceeding with the recipe.
cassia
ground
Ground cassia cinnamon's spicy, warm flavor and aroma star in many homespun fall and winter recipes. Cassia is dominant variety of cinnamon in America.
0.28 oz - PORTION$0.75
2 oz - JAR$8
8 oz - REFILL$24
ground
Dried ground ginger is an aromatic and pungent spice with citrusy, even woodsy, notes. Used in baked goods and ginger-flavored favs.
0.24 oz - PORTION$0.75
1.6 oz - JAR$6
1.6 oz - REFILL$5
6 oz - REFILL$13
ground
Ground allspice is highly aromatic and even more pungent than its whole counterpart. As its name suggests it is redolent of a mix of spices including clove, cinnamon, nutmeg and juniper.
0.28 oz - PORTION$0.75
2 oz - JAR$8
2 oz - REFILL$7
ground
Freshly ground cloves yield a rich chocolatey brown powder with an intense aroma and a powerful warming flavor.
0.35 oz - PORTION$0.75
2 oz - JAR$8
2 oz - REFILL$7
8 oz - REFILL$24
ground
Nutmeg has a warm, sweet, slightly pungent aroma and taste. Ground nutmeg is a clumpy, light colored, orange-brown powder.
0.32 oz - PORTION$0.75
2 oz - REFILL$5
8 oz - REFILL$14
