Garlic and herb butter vegan babka is a savory spin a sweet Jewish classic. It makes a showstopping conversation piece with how intricate it is.
Move over sweet babkas, there’s a savory friend in town! Ok, corny-ness aside, this savory garlic and herb butter vegan babka will have your taste buds so happy!
If you have never heard of Babka before, the hold on to your seat, because you’re in for one of the most delicious recipes.
Babka is a braided sweet bread that is of Jewish decent. It became widely popular in the United States in the 2010s with the success of Breads Bakery in NYC and Instagram.
Babka means grandmother and refers to grandmothers who made this recipe from leftover challah after Shabbat, from our research. They would twist the bread with seeds and nuts.
Traditionally, it was filled with cinnamon. However, when Jewish people arrived in New York city, chocolate was added.
People have been known to add in apples or cheesecake, or make even savory versions. There are also similar versions to other cultures.
Essentially, it is a made very similar to how you would make cinnamon rolls, but instead of slicing circular pieces and placing them in a cake pan, you slice the roll length wise and do a double braided twist and then place in a loaf pan.
The end result is this stunning masterpiece of woven dough and filling, like marbling, through the bread. Eat it in slices.
For today’s recipe we are going to be making a savory version that is simply amazing!
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Can you make this a Top 8 Allergen Free Babka Bread?
We do not currently have a gluten free dough recipe to recommend, although we are working to create one.
For the remaining ingredients, yes you can. We recommend oat milk which is allergen friendly.
And ensure that you are use a soy free, dairy free butter. We use Earth Balance Soy free that comes in a red tub.
For the vegan parmesan, use one that is safe for you or you can use our nut free version.
Nothing else included in the recipe contains a Top 8 allergen.
Can I prep savory vegan babka ahead of time?
This bread can be made and stored in an air tight container for 5-7 days.
Also — when making the dough, once you put cover the bowl to rise, Instead of leaving in a warm place, you can place the bowl in the fridge up to 2 days before you plan to use it.
Just make the recipe as written, cover and place in fridge until ready to use.
What other savory vegan bread recipes can I make?
If you love bread, this you will love this garlic and herb butter vegan babka. However, you may be wondering what other savory vegan bread options you can make. Here’s some of our favorite:
- The Best Vegan Dinner Rolls
- Vegan Chimichurri Monkey Bread
- Easy Vegan Garlic Knots
- Vegan Pumpkin Dinner Rolls
- Vegan Italian Cheesy Bread Rolls
- Tuscan Mushroom Rolls
- Vegan Ham Broccoli and Cheese Rolls
- Vegan Sausage Egg and Cheese Rolls
- Easy Vegan Soft Pretzel Bites
- Vegan Bread Bowls
- Vegan Pesto Rolls
- Easy Vegan Focaccia
- Vegan Hawaiian Rolls
Garlic and herb butter vegan babka
Ingredients
- 3 cups flour (we prefer bread, can use all-purpose or whole wheat – see post for details)
- 2 tbsp vegan cane sugar
- 1 package instant yeast (1 package = 2 1/4 tsp)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup dairy free milk, warm
- 1/2 cup vegan butter, softened
For the Filling
- 1/2 cup vegan butter, softened
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh basil
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme, finely chopped
- 1/3 cup vegan parmesan, grated
- vegan butter, melted
Instructions
For the Dough
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Add in dairy free milk and vegan butter. Using a spatula, fold until mostly combined. Sprinkle a little more flour if needed to not be sticky and form a ball.
- Once ball is formed, grease the same bowl mixed in and place the dough ball back into the bowl. Cover with a towel or plastic wrap and let sit for 60-90 minutes in a warm, draft free place until doubled.
For the Filling
- Preheat oven for 350 degrees F.
- In a small bowl combine all the filling ingredients together and mix well. Set aside until dough has risen.
- Once risen, lightly flour a surface and roll dough out until approximately 12×15 rectangle. Brush the butter mixture across the entire surface.
- Starting on one side, roll the dough into a log. Cut the log length wise carefully so there are two long pieces.
- Starting at one end, pinch the ends together and then braid the two pieces together and pinch together again at the end.
- Carefully place in a well greased loaf pan.*If your babka is not at the top of your pan, cover it and let it rise until it is. If it is, proceed with baking.
- Place in oven for 35-40 minutes or until done.Brush with more vegan butter at the end if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Let’s see your creations!
Share to Instagram and tag us @makeitdairyfree so we can see and share it!
That’s an amazing looking loaf! I can’t wait to try it! Can you please explain how you achieved the multi-layered/striped appearance? Did you slice the dough with a knife before braiding the 2 pieces? Thanks!
Yes, step 4 under the filling
Made this in January with terrific results. Tried to look up this recipe again a month later, and it just links to your challah recipe. Please fix the link.
Not sure what happened but it’s fixed
Am I missing something? I came for garlic and herb babka but the recipe is for challah haha. Really want to make the babka!
Not sure what happened, but it’s fixed
I have been craving a babka for over a year now and I was avoiding making one because I thought it was going to be difficult. However, I decided to give this recipe a try and holy moly macaroni I think I am in love. What an amazing recipe, sooo easy and amazing. The dough is so fluffy and rich and the chocolate filling is not overwhelming. It didn’t make it more than a day in my house! Will definitely try all of the other recipes suggested with your Everything Dough because it is insanely good!!!
oh wow, we are thrilled to hear that! We are so happy to hear that you loved the recipe!