Polish custard cake

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup milk, lukewarm
1 packet of dry yeast
1/2 cup sugar
3 egg yolks
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 tsp vanilla extract
A pinch of salt
For the pudding filling:

1 cup milk
1/2 cup sugar
2 tbsp corn flour
2 egg yolks
1 tsp vanilla extract
Preparation steps:
Step 1: Prepare dough

In a bowl, dissolve the dry yeast in warm milk and add a little sugar. Allow the yeast to activate for about 10 minutes. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, egg yolks, melted butter, vanilla extract, sugar and a pinch of salt. Add the activated yeast and knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic. Let the dough rise in a warm place for about 1 hour.

Step 2: Prepare pudding filling
While the dough is rising, prepare the pudding filling. In a saucepan, combine milk, sugar, cornmeal, egg yolks and vanilla extract. Heat the mixture, stirring constantly, until it thickens. Allow the pudding filling to cool.

Step 3: Shape the dough

Divide the risen dough into two parts. Roll each part out into a rectangle and spread the pudding filling evenly on top. Roll up the dough from the long side to form a spiral.

Step 4: Bake

Place the dough spirals in a greased cake tin and let them rise again for about 30 minutes. Bake the cake in a preheated oven at 180°C for about 40-45 minutes or until golden brown.

Step 5: Cool and serve

Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan before removing it from the pan. Sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired and serve.

Tips for the perfect Polish Pudding Cake
Choosing Milk: Use fresh, high-quality milk to ensure a rich and creamy pudding flavor.
Activate yeast properly: Make sure the yeast is activated in warm milk. If the yeast does not foam, it may no longer be active and the dough will not rise.
Be patient when rising: Give the dough enough time to rise. A well-risen dough ensures an airy and fluffy consistency.
Rolling Evenly: Roll out the dough evenly to ensure even distribution of the pudding filling.
Creativity with fillings: Experiment with different fillings, such as nuts, raisins or chocolate chips, to give your pudding cake a personal touch.
Various variations of Polish custard cake
Poppy seed filling: Instead of the pudding filling, the cake can be prepared with a poppy seed filling, consisting of ground poppy seeds, sugar and butter.
Chocolate Filling: Add melted chocolate or chocolate chips to the pudding filling for a chocolaty twist.
Fruit filling: Add a fruity touch to the pudding cake by incorporating fruit puree or diced fruit into the filling.
Nut filling: Replace the pudding filling with a mixture of ground nuts, sugar and cinnamon for a nutty flavor.
Citrus flavors: Add grated lemon or orange peel to the dough or filling to infuse fresh citrus flavors into the cake.
Conclusion
Polish custard cake, or babka, is not just a pastry, but a cultural heritage that embodies the history and culinary traditions of Poland. With its unique spiral shape, moist dough and creamy pudding filling, this cake is a real treat for the senses. Use the classic recipe and creative variations to bring this Polish treat to life in your own kitchen. Whether for festive occasions or as a sweet surprise every now and then, the Polish Pudding Cake is sure to win the hearts of your family and guests. Bon appetit!