Savory Babà

The savory babà is a variant of the more famous rum babà, which is typically sweet. This savory version can be an excellent appetizer or a snack for a buffet. Let’s see together how to prepare it.

Ingredients

  • 250 g of type 00 flour
  • 12 g of fresh brewer’s yeast
  • 3 eggs
  • 50 g of soft butter
  • 60 ml of lukewarm milk
  • 1 teaspoon of sugar
  • A pinch of salt
  • Filling: can vary according to taste and can include cooked ham, cheeses, cold cuts, pickled vegetables, etc.

Preparation

  1. Dissolve the brewer’s yeast in the lukewarm milk together with the teaspoon of sugar, leaving it to rest for a few minutes until bubbles start to form on the surface.
  2. Place the flour in a large bowl and make a well in the center, adding the eggs, salt, and the mixture of yeast and milk.
  3. Start kneading from the center outward until a homogeneous mixture is obtained.
  4. Add the soft butter in pieces and continue to knead until it is completely incorporated.
  5. Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead it until it becomes smooth and elastic.
  6. Let the dough rise in a bowl covered with a damp cloth in a warm place until it doubles in volume, for about 1-2 hours.
  7. Butter and flour the babà molds and fill them halfway with the risen dough.
  8. Let the dough rise in the molds until it reaches the rim.
  9. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C for about 20 minutes, until golden brown.
  10. Remove the babà from the oven, and if desired, soak them with a liquor (for example, brandy or whisky) diluted with a little water and salt, or use a direct salty or herb-flavored solution. Wait for them to cool down.
  11. Once cooled, stuff the babà with the chosen filling. You can use a piping bag for creamy fillings or insert finely chopped pieces of cheese and cold cuts.

Curiosities

The savory version of babà is an interesting fusion between the world of baking and gastronomy. Even though it’s not the most well-known recipe, it offers a different and elegant way to reinterpret a classic of Neapolitan pastry.

Remember that you can modify the filling to your liking to perhaps match a specific theme of your meal or the dietary preferences of your guests.

Savory Babà