Martha Stewart is a well-known and respected kitchen and home entertaining extraordinaire, and it’s common to refer to her programs and books for guidance in everything from recipes to choosing a tablescape.
But anyone who has even casually watched her baking programming can feel pretty assured she knows a way around pastries, and that makes her latest collaboration very exciting.
In what feels like cake that has been touched by a kind of royalty, Martha Stewart has partnered with New York City-based Breads Bakery – themselves famous for their chocolate babka – on a new limited-edition babka variety, Martha’s Good Thing Babka.
Martha’s Good Thing Babka borrows from a classic all while being very much its own recipe. The babka is made with the same laminated dough as the landmark bakery’s classic Chocolate Babka, but stands apart by being filled with poppy, plump golden raisins and a bit of citrus zest. The result is sweet and savory and unlike any other traditional babka out there.
The partnership is a dream come true for those involved. "Working on a recipe with Martha Stewart is like collaborating on a song with Paul McCartney. The first time I really felt that we had something at Breads Bakery was when Martha Stewart walked through the door, shortly after we opened. Having her at the bakery and creating this Babka with her has been a dream come true. Martha Stewart at Breads Bakery, it’s a good thing,” said Gadi Peleg, founder and owner of Breads Bakery, in an email interview.
While Martha Stewart has addressed the babka concept before — she even has a babka recipe in her book Entertaining — this particular spin is unique. But isn’t that appropriate for such a revered culinary figure? Keep things interesting by finding ways to innovating the classics.
The new babka collaboration will be available beginning May 17 at Breads Bakery locations in New York City as well as Goldbelly (on both Martha Stewart and Breads Bakery’s storefront). The babka launch is timed to coincide with the return of Martha Cooks, Martha Stewart’s Roku series, which will begin its fourth season on May 20. The season premiere of the series will actually be an episode focused on Breads Bakery, making the release and the series share an undeniable synergy. Or, at least fodder for dessert at a viewing party.
As for how to enjoy the new Martha Stewart-approved babka, it feels like any pastry with this level of star power behind it needs to be saved for something special. Perhaps an elegant afternoon tea or brunch event is in order. Regardless of how it’s enjoyed or paired, chances are this is going to be one cake that flies off the shelves.