Chocolate Babka

Method

1. First line a 2lb loaf tin with baking paper.
2. Combine the flour, sugar, yeast and salt in a mixing bowl.
3. Next add the milk and melted margarine to the bowl and bring the dough together with a wooden spoon.
4. Lightly flour a worktop then tip the dough onto it and knead the dough for 10 minutes. Then bring the dough together into a ball and tightly wrap it in baking paper or cling film and refrigerate for about 10 minutes while you make the chocolate filling.
5. To prepare the chocolate sauce, melt the margarine in a saucepan on a low heat. Once melted, remove the saucepan from the heat and add the remaining chocolate sauce ingredients and stir until smooth. Leave to cool while you carry out the next step.
6. Remove the dough from the fridge, lightly flour the worktop and roll out the dough to a 40x30cm (16x12”) rectangle.
7. Then spread the chocolate sauce across the dough leaving a 2cm (1”) gap clear around the edges.
8. With the long side facing you, roll the dough into a log, then use a sharp knife to cut the log in two lengthways.
9. Pinch one end of the logs together, then lift one over the other and repeat until the ends meet then pinch them closed. There should be around 3 twists and the dough should now look like a two-stranded plait.
10. Transfer the babka to the lined tin. Cover with a damp tea towel and leave to prove for 2 hours.
11. After two hours, preheat the oven to 180°C fan / 400°F. Then bake the babka for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.
12. Meanwhile add the caster sugar to a saucepan on a low heat along with 50ml (1.6fl.oz) of water. Stir until dissolved then remove from the heat.
13. Remove the babka from the oven and brush the sugar syrup all over. Leave the babka to cool then remove from the loaf tin and devour!