Have you ever tasted the mouthwatering Neapolitan babà? This traditional Italian dessert is a perfect blend of sweet, moist, and aromatic flavors that will transport you straight to the sunny streets of Naples. If you've been longing to recreate this delightful treat at home, you're in luck! In this step-by-step guide, we will show you how to make traditional Neapolitan babà from scratch. So put on your aprons and let's get started!
Gather Your Ingredients
Before diving into the process, let's make sure you have all the necessary ingredients at hand. To prepare a batch of Neapolitan babà, you will need:
- 2 ¼ cups of all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup of warm milk
- ½ cup of unsalted butter, softened
- 4 eggs, at room temperature
- ½ cup of granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon of active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
Let's Get Baking!
With all the ingredients in place, it's time to roll up your sleeves and start baking. Follow these simple steps to make traditional Neapolitan babà:
- In a small bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and a teaspoon of sugar. Let it sit for about 10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the softened butter and the remaining sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, to the butter-sugar mixture. Beat well after each addition.
- Sift the flour and salt into the mixing bowl. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until well combined.
- Lastly, add the vanilla extract and the frothy yeast mixture. Stir everything together until the dough comes together.
Time to Rise
Now that you have prepared the dough, it's time for it to rise and develop all those wonderful flavors. Follow these next steps:
- Cover the mixing bowl with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Place it in a warm, draft-free area for about 2 hours or until the dough has doubled in size.
- Once the dough has risen, lightly punch it down to release any air bubbles.
- Grease and flour individual babà molds or a large bundt pan.
- Divide the dough equally among the molds or place it in the bundt pan.
- Cover the molds or pan again and let the dough rise for an additional 40 minutes.
Into the Oven
Now that your babà dough is perfectly risen, it's time to bake it to golden perfection. Follow these final steps:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake the babà for approximately 20-25 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove the babà from the oven and let them cool in the molds or pan for a few minutes.
- Transfer the babà onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Time to Indulge
Congratulations! You have successfully made traditional Neapolitan babà. Now comes the best part – enjoying them! These delightful pastries can be served plain, but they are even better when soaked in a sweet rum syrup. To make the syrup, combine equal parts of sugar and water in a saucepan. Bring it to a boil, then let it simmer for a few minutes. Remove from heat and add rum to taste. Pour the syrup over the babà and let them soak for at least an hour before serving.
Now that you know how to make traditional Neapolitan babà, you can impress your family and friends with this authentic Italian dessert. Serve it as a sweet ending to a delicious dinner or enjoy it with a cup of espresso for that true Neapolitan experience. Happy baking!