Herbed Goat Cheese and Apricot Babka

Herbed Goat Cheese and Apricot Babka

Savory Babka

Recipe by
Reviewed by Arturs Arnicans
Prep Time: 4h 15m
Cook Time: 45m
Total Time: 5h
Temp.: 350 °F
Servings: 10
Difficulty: Easy
4.9 (18 Reviews)
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Ingredients

Adjust servings:

For the Dough:

For the Filling:

For the Topping:

Nutritional Information

152
Calories
10g
Fat
9g
Carbohydrate
6g
Protein
83mg
Cholesterol
295mg
Sodium
Herbed Goat Cheese and Apricot Babka

Recipe Description

This Herbed Goat Cheese and Apricot Babka is by no means a simple recipe but I do promise that all the hours invested into this incredible Jewish delicacy will be worth it! Originating in Eastern Europe this twisted, bread-like, sweet treat comes with different fillings from chocolate to cinnamon to fruit jellies. This recipe is filled with herbed goat cheese and apricot preserves to elevate this traditional cake loaf.

To make Herbed Goat Cheese and Apricot Babka, you will need the following ingredients:

Ingredients for Herbed Goat Cheese and Apricot Babka

Recipe Features

Steps to make

  1. 1

    Prepare yeast

    10 min
    Step 1 - Herbed Goat Cheese and Apricot Babka

    In a large bowl, or a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, stir water and yeast to combine. Set to stand for about 5-10 minutes until foamy.

  2. 2

    Combine dry ingredients

    1 min
    Step 2 - Herbed Goat Cheese and Apricot Babka

    In another large bowl, whisk all-purpose flour, sugar, and salt until combined.

  3. 3

    Add to bubbling yeast

    3 min
    Step 3 - Herbed Goat Cheese and Apricot Babka

    Add dry ingredients to the bowl of bubbling yeast and beat on medium speed.

  4. 4

    Add oil

    1 min
    Step 4 - Herbed Goat Cheese and Apricot Babka

    Add oil and continue beating until combined.

  5. 5

    Add egg

    2 min
    Step 5 - Herbed Goat Cheese and Apricot Babka

    Add egg and continue beating until dough begins to come together.

  6. 6

    Knead

    5 min
    Step 6 - Herbed Goat Cheese and Apricot Babka

    If kneading with electric dough hook, knead for 5 minutes until dough is smooth. If not, roll dough out onto a lightly floured surface and using your hands, knead for 5-10 minutes.

  7. 7

    Rise

    1h 30m
    Step 7 - Herbed Goat Cheese and Apricot Babka

    Transfer to a greased bowl, cover with a kitchen towel and set aside for 1-1½ hours to rise until double in volume.

  8. 8

    Prepare baking pan

    1 min
    Step 8 - Herbed Goat Cheese and Apricot Babka

    Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan.

  9. 9

    Portion dough

    2 min
    Step 9 - Herbed Goat Cheese and Apricot Babka

    Once risen, punch down into the dough to release excess air. Divide in half and shape each half into a rectangle.

  10. 10

    Fill babka

    10 min
    Step 10 - Herbed Goat Cheese and Apricot BabkaStep 10 - Herbed Goat Cheese and Apricot Babka

    On a lightly floured surface, roll one rectangle into a 9x15x¼-inch. Spread half the apricot preserves, leaving a 1-inch border along one edge and sprinkle half the goat cheese, evenly, over the top. Starting on the edge without a border, roll the dough up, tightly. Pinch the ends to seal and set aside. Repeat with remaining dough.

  11. 11

    Prepare babka

    2 min
    Step 11 - Herbed Goat Cheese and Apricot BabkaStep 11 - Herbed Goat Cheese and Apricot Babka

    Set the rolls side-by-side, sealed-side down and starting in the middle, twist the rolls together around each other, all the way to both ends. Transfer and compress to fit in the prepared loaf pan.

  12. 12

    Second rise

    2h
    Step 12 - Herbed Goat Cheese and Apricot Babka

    Cover the loaf pan with a kitchen towel and set aside in a warm place for 1½ - 2 hours to rise and mostly fill the pan.

  13. 13

    Preheat oven

    5 min

    Preheat the oven to 350 °F.

  14. 14

    Bake

    45 min
    Step 14 - Herbed Goat Cheese and Apricot Babka

    Bake in preheated oven for about 25 minutes before rotating for an even cook for a further 15-20 minutes until babka is golden and firm. (Total bake 40-45 minutes).

  15. 15

    Add topping

    1 min
    Step 15 - Herbed Goat Cheese and Apricot Babka

    Remove from heat and brush with 2 tablespoons of apricot preserves. Sprinkle almond slices over.

  16. 16

    Second bake

    5 min
    Step 16 - Herbed Goat Cheese and Apricot Babka

    Return to oven and bake for a further 5 minutes to toast almonds.

  17. 17

    Serve

    Step 17 - Herbed Goat Cheese and Apricot Babka

    Cool on a wire rack before serving!

This Herbed Goat Cheese with Apricot Babka is an elevated version of my grandmother’s sweet cinnamon and sugar bake. Try it and you won’t be disappointed. Are you brave enough to give this one a try? Let us know because we love hearing which recipes you enjoy! Tag #cookmerecipes in your own pictures and posts online.

About the author

Lilly Mathuse

Lilly is an enthusiastic and cheerful young mom. She knows as well as any parent that children can be really picky when it comes to food. And she’s had plenty of experience trying to cook meals that are both tasty and nutritious, and able to satisfy the tastes of a fussy kid right away! To save you some precious time, Lilly's going to share with you all the tricks she learned the hard way, so you don’t have to! She has a wealth of recipes for quick and easy meals for kids and families on a budget.

Recipe Reviews

Have you made this recipe? Share your experience and help other cooks!

★★★★★
★★★★★
4.9 out of 5 (18 reviews)
Rebecca Simmons
February 15, 2025
Verified

I made this babka for a family gathering, and it turned out amazing. The herbed goat cheese gave it such a unique flavor. Worth the effort!

Tina
September 4, 2024
Verified

So yummy, everyone loved it

Ava
September 2, 2024
Verified

OMG, this Babka is pure heaven! ❤️ I made it for a brunch with my girls, and they couldn't get enough. The herbed goat cheese and apricot combo? Genius! It felt like I was sharing a piece of my grandma's kitchen with them. Totally worth the time spent, lol! 😍

Wendy
October 16, 2023
Verified

This babka turned out amazing! It was a fun project to make for our family gathering. Everyone loved it!

Xandra
October 7, 2023
Verified

Absolutely love this

Frank
October 5, 2023
Verified

I made this Herbed Goat Cheese and Apricot Babka for my wife's birthday. It was a bit tricky, but the rewarding taste made all the effort worthwhile. Everyone loved it.

Rebecca
October 1, 2023
Verified

Incredible flavors blend!

Megan Smith
October 1, 2023
Verified

I made this Babka for our family gathering, and everyone was amazed. The herbed goat cheese and apricot filling brought a special touch. So proud to make something so unique and delicious!

Zoe82
July 18, 2023
Verified

I made this Herbed Goat Cheese and Apricot Babka for a friend's potluck. Everyone loved it! The flavors were just perfect and so unique.

Nico
March 2, 2023
Verified

I made this Herbed Goat Cheese and Apricot Babka for a family meal. Everyone loved it! The flavors were exceptional, and I felt so proud to share it.

Wendy
February 1, 2023
Verified

This babka was a hit at my fam's brunch. So delish!

Kathy
December 27, 2022
Verified

Delicious

Nate
June 16, 2022
Verified

Epic!

Zachary
November 18, 2021
Verified

This Herbed Goat Cheese and Apricot Babka is just awesome. Took a bit of time but worth it. Made it for a gathering, and everyone loved it. The flavors really pop and it looks fancy too. Totally impressed my friends.

Yannis
October 23, 2021
Verified

Loved this recipe! It brought back great family memories.

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