Savory Fondue Babka

Preparation

1. Dough

   Step 1

   Whisk milk and yeast in the bowl of a stand mixer (or large bowl if kneading by hand). Let sit until foamy, about 10 minutes.

   Step 2

   Whisk eggs, salt, and sugar in a small bowl. Add egg mixture and flour to yeast mixture. Mix with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms. Beat with dough hook on medium speed (dough will be very dry and shaggy), adding 7 Tbsp. butter one piece at a time, until dough is smooth, elastic, and very tacky but pulls away from sides of bowl, about 10 minutes. (Alternatively, knead dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes.)

   Step 3

   Grease a large bowl with butter; transfer dough to bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

   Step 4

   Do Ahead: Dough can be made 1 day ahead; cover and chill.

2. Filling and Assembly

   Step 5

   Lightly coat loaf pan with nonstick spray, then line with parchment paper, leaving a 2" overhang on long sides. Coat parchment with nonstick spray.

   Step 6

   Mix garlic, eau de vie, and lemon juice in a small bowl. Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface. Roll out to a 16x10" rectangle and orient so long side is facing you. Brush garlic mixture over dough, going all the way to the edges. Top with cheese and generously season with pepper. Roll up dough away from you like a jelly roll, pulling lightly on it as you roll to maintain thickness. (Use a metal bench scraper if needed to help dough release from surface.)

   Step 7

   Using a serrated knife, cut log in half lengthwise so layers of cheese and dough are exposed. Arrange halves cut side up and side by side. Place one half over the other to make a narrow X, then twist the two ends on one side twice. Repeat on opposite side. (You should have a total of 4 twists.)

   Step 8

   Transfer dough to prepared pan. Spray plastic wrap with nonstick spray and loosely drape over pan. Let sit in a warm place until almost doubled in size, about 1 hour.

   Step 9

   Preheat oven to 375°. Beat egg yolk with 1 Tbsp. water in a small bowl. Brush dough with egg wash. Bake babka until top is golden brown, 25–35 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack and let babka cool in pan 15 minutes. Turn out onto a wire rack using parchment overhang and running a paring knife around edges to help loosen, if needed. Let cool completely before slicing.