This Garlic Cheese Babka is a savory babka recipe that is perfect for brunch, appetizers, or dinner! I love pairing this with a charcuterie board for an easy appetizer that will please a crowd!
If you like making babka, check out my Blueberry Babka Coffee Cake, Chocolate Babka, or my Cinnamon Swirl Babka Coffee Cake.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Have you ever wondered how to make cheese babka? While most babka recipes are filled with chocolate or cinnamon and sugar, it is possible to make savory babka! If you’ve tried my Chocolate Babka recipe, and like it, then you will love this recipe for Garlic Cheese Babka.
I love making babka because it uses a sweet, enriched dough, which is a favorite of mine. I also love how the simple swirl of the babka looks seriously impressive! And today I am sharing a recipe for the best cheese babka – Garlic Cheese Babka.
Learn how to make cheese babka with this easy Garlic Cheese Babka recipe. I use a brioche dough, and I fill it with garlic and rosemary butter, then I add in shredded mozzarella cheese. It’s rolled up into a roll, cut down the middle, and twisted to create an amazing presentation.
Serve this Garlic Cheese Babka on a charcuterie board or cheeseboard for an easy appetizer. Your guests will be swooning over the best cheese babka they’ve ever had! Once you leaven how to make cheese babka, I bet you will make it all the time!
Ingredients for Garlic Cheese Babka
Organic Active Dry Yeast
I use organic dry active yeast in this Garlic Cheese Babka recipe. But, I buy the Red Star Organic Yeast, which is instant yeast. These are basically the same thing, and you can use either one in this recipe.
Organic Cane Sugar
I used the Costco Kirkland brand, Organic Cane Sugar in this recipe. I love buying their cane sugar as it comes in 10-pound bags! And, trust, I go through a lot of sugar!
Organic Warm Water
Make sure to use warm water, not cold and not hot. Yeast is particular, and if it’s too cold, it won’t activate. If it’s too hot, then it will kill the yeast – both will result in your dough not rising! So, make sure your water is warm. I just use lukewarm water from the tap.
Organic All Purpose Flour
I used Central Milling Organic All Purpose Flour in these Garlic Cheese Babka recipe. I love their flour, and I’ve been able to find it at Costco lately!
Organic Salted Butter
I use Organic Valley Salted Butter in this recipe, it’s my fave!
Organic Milk
Always use organic whole milk for everything when baking! My favorite is Organic Valley Grassmilk.
Organic Raw Honey
I use organic raw honey in this babka for a little bit of sweetness. This combination with the savory is just perfect! Always try to buy organic local honey, if possible. Try going to your farmer’s marker and seeing if there is a local honey purveyor there. Worst case, Costco has a 3-pack of organic honey that I buy so I always have backup if I run out of my fancy honey.
Organic Garlic Cloves
I use fresh organic garlic cloves in this recipe. If you don’t have garlic cloves, you can use organic garlic powder in a pinch. I’d recommend using 1/2 teaspoon to 1 teaspoon.
Organic Dried Rosemary
I use organic dried rosemary in the butter. Dried herbs can provide more flavor than fresh herbs, so don’t substitute one for the other in a recipe. I use Frontier Co-Op Organic Rosemary, it’s my fave!
Organic Mozzarella Cheese
I use Organic Valley Mozzarella Cheese, and I grate it myself. If you haven’t read my post 5 Reasons to Grate Your Own Cheese, then I highly recommend checking it out. I always recommend buying a block and grating it yourself.
If you want to substitute another type of cheese in this cheese babka, you totally can. Other types that I think would go well with this recipe would be: Pepperjack, Colby Jack, White Cheddar, or Sharp Cheddar.
I use a USA Pan Cocktail Loaf Pan for this recipe for a small and appetizer shaped bread. If you don't have this size, you can use a 1-pound loaf pan instead. The recipe will be shorter and wider, but it will be equally delicious!
Why go organic?
You may be wondering why I push organic ingredients for everything, even savory and healthy dishes. Organic ingredients go beyond just health and wellness, and contribute so much to the taste and flavor of a recipe. So, if you think that you're making something healthy and buying fruits, veggies, or meats so maybe you don't need to spend the extra to go organic here – let me sway your thinking.
Organic ingredients are made in a more pure way, therefore using no additives, no GMOs, and minimal ingredients. This really allows the true ingredients to shine – and because of that their flavor shines through. Therefore, organic ingredients are more flavorful than their non organic counterparts. So, just because it's already a healthy recipe, or you're already buying good for you ingredients – it doesn't mean you can skip organic! Trust me here, and make the switch. Your body and your taste buds will thank you!
So, I highly recommend that you buy the best organic ingredients for this recipe! You can also shop my Amazon Storefront for all my favorite organic ingredients here. Tip – hover over each ingredient to see the name. And if you want to learn more about organic foods and the difference, read my post here on Food Labels and What They Mean.
Learn how to make cheese babka with this delicious Garlic Cheese Babka recipe! Serve this savory babka recipe with nuts, cheese, fruits, and veggies!
Ingredients
- Dough
1 tablespoon (10 grams) organic active dry yeast
1 teaspoon organic cane sugar
1/4 cup warm water
1/4 cup (57 grams) organic salted butter
1 cup organic milk
2 teaspoons organic raw honey
446 grams (3 1/2 cups) organic all purpose flour
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- Filling
1/2 cup organic salted butter, softened
2 teaspoons organic dried rosemary
2 cloves organic garlic, minced
4 ounces organic mozzarella cheese, grated
Directions
- To make the dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, add the yeast, 1/2 teaspoon cane sugar, and warm water. Stir to combine and let sit for 3 to 5 minutes or until bubbly.
- In a medium pot over medium heat, add the butter, milk, and honey. Stir until completely melted, remove from heat.
- Add the flour and salt to the mixing bowl in that order. Add the milk mixture and knead on speed 2 to 4 for 5 minutes.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, add cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let rise for 1 to 3 hours or until doubled in size.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- To make the filling: In a small bowl, add the butter, minced garlic, and rosemary. Stir to combine completely.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 12 x 14-inches. Using a spatula, spread the butter mixture over it. Top with the grated mozzarella cheese.
- Starting at the shorter side, roll the dough so it is completely rolled into a log. Pinch the dough to seal it and put the seam side down. Using a sharp knife, cut the dough log in half lengthwise to expose the rolled inside. Twist the halves together, leaving the cut side up.
- Grase a cocktail loaf pan (14 x 2-inches) with butter. Transfer the dough to the prepared pan.
- Bake for 40 to 45 or until golden brown. Allow to cool in the pan completely.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Notes
- High Altitude — Bake at 350°F for 35 to 40 minutes or until golden brown.
- No Cocktail Loaf Pan? You can use a 1-pound loaf pan if you do not have a cocktail loaf pan. If you do this, be sure to only roll the dough out to 12 x 9-inches.
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