Yesterday's baking lesson

Love it that my baking teacher has found her health again. I can't tell you how much I missed my lessons!

Yesterday the topic of study was...drum roll please... Cinnamon Babka.

Cinnamon Babka

Dough:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup plus 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
4 egg yolks
1 package active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups all-purpose flour

Topping:
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 pound butter
1 large egg
2 tablespoons milk
1 cup all-purpose flour

Cream the butter and 1/2 cup sugar in a large bowl.

In a separate bowl, beat the egg yolks until frothy.

Mix the yeast in warm water with the 1/2 teaspoon of sugar. Add yeast mixture to egg yolks. Then add milk, vanilla and salt.

Add the yeast mixture to the creamed butter mixture. Slowly add the flour, mixing until a soft dough forms.

Turn dough out onto a floured work surface and knead until dough is smooth.
Cover the dough and allow it to rise in a warm place until it doubles.

Butter a 3-quart pan and shape the dough into it. Allow the dough to rise again for about 2 hours.

Combine topping ingredients, then coat the top of the dough with the topping.

Bake in a preheated 350*F oven for 35 minutes. Cool completely on wire rack.