Bopka This Is My Mothers Recipe And Her Spelling Or Babka

BOPKA (THIS IS MY MOTHER'S RECIPE AND HER SPELLING) OR BABKA*

Steps:

• Mix together the flour and baking powder and set aside.
• Cream shortening and sugar until well creamed, then add eggs one at a time and beat until fluffy, add vanilla.
• Then add milk (about ¼ at a time alternating between the evaporated and whole milk until all is used.
• Add flour mixture a little at a time until all is incorporated.
• Put half the batter in a 2-piece tube pan (or 2-3 throw away loaf pans), and then sprinkle with all or half the nuts and half of the cinnamon/sugar mixture (you can use the half of the nuts on top of the cake). Put in rest of batter and top with the other half of the cinnamon/sugar mixture and half of the nuts if not used in middle). Use the same method if using loaf pans.
• Bang pan three times (this is to let out any air bubbles - hold pan about an inch above counter and drop three times.
• Bake in a 350-degree preheated oven for one hour (less for loaf pans) or until cake tester or toothpick comes out clean.
• Options:.
• If you can find nut meal or finely ground nuts you can add them to the cake batter along with the flour mixture and eliminate the chopped nuts. I have not tried this, but I am sure you can add grated chocolate or mini-chips to the middle of the cake.

BABKA

Steps:

• Heat the milk; stir in the butter until melted; cool to lukewarm. Proof the yeast in the warm water.
• Beat the eggs, egg yolks, and sugar until thick. Add the salt, grated rinds, vanilla, and Grand Marnier. Add the milk-butter mixture to the egg mixture. Stir in the yeast.
• Add the flour, a cupful at a time, mixing with a wooden spoon. The dough should not be dry, but it should not be sticky. Too much flour will make a dry, crumbly cake. Add the almonds and raisins.
• Turn the dough onto a floured board and knead for about 5 minutes, until dough comes away from your hand. Butter a very large bowl and put dough in bowl. Cover and let rise until doubled in bulk. Punch down and let rise a second time until almost doubled.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter the pans generously. (You can sprinkle pans with a tablespoon of sugar if you wish.) Divide the dough into 3 portions. Arrange evenly on the pans and cover loosely. Let rise to top of pans.
• Bake cakes in oven for 30 to 45 minutes, until golden brown. There should be a hollow sound when you tap the top with your knuckles. Cool for 5 minutes in the pans, then turn out onto racks to cool.