Babka is challah’s sweeter sister. Traditionally made with the same basic dough as challah, babka rides the line between a bread and a cake with the addition of extra sweet components and different shaping before baking. The word “babka” is thought to derive from the Polish word “baba,” which literally means “grandmother” but was also the name of a type of Polish Easter cake. Once again, babka became popularized when Jews immigrated to America in the 20th century. And babka’s popularity has grown in American culture arguably more than challah’s, likely due to a classic Seinfeld episode where Jerry and Elaine debate the merits of cinnamon versus chocolate babka. While chocolate is considered “classic” babka flavor now, this variation was developed in America, and more traditional babka would have been made with cinnamon or fruit jam. Now in modern bakeries, almost anything goes with babka fillings! Yarn Base Information: Center Stage Suri Lace 65% Baby Suri Alpaca, 35% Silk - 437 yds/50 g - Lace weight - Single ply Center Stage Suri Fingering 100% Suri Alpaca - 437 yds/100 g - Fingering weight - Single ply Downstage Sock 80% Superwash Merino, 20% Nylon - 400 yds/100 g - Fingering weight - 2 ply Orchestra Fingering 100% Superwash Merino - 400 yds/100 g - Fingering weight - 2 ply Orchestra Fingering NONSUPERWASH 100% 20.5 Micron Organic Merino - 400 yds/100 g - Fingering weight - 2 ply Stage Right Tweed Fingering 85% Superwash Merino, 15% Donegal Nep - 438 yds/100 g - Fingering weight - 2 ply Mezzanine DK 100% Superwash Merino - 231 yds/100 g - DK weight - 4 ply Mezzanine DK NONSUPERWASH 100% 20.5 Micron Organic Merino - 231 yds/100 g - DK weight - 4 ply Stage Right Tweed DK 85% Superwash Merino, 15% Donegal Nep - 231 yds/100 g - DK weight - 4 ply Balcony Worsted 100% Superwash Merino - 218 yds/100 g - Worsted weight - 4 ply Balcony Worsted NONSUPERWASH 100% 20.5 Micron Organic Merino - 218 yds/100 g - Worsted weight - 4 ply Photos of yarn are carefully corrected for color accuracy, but please keep in mind that different screens can display colors differently. Due to the nature of small batch, hand-dyed yarns, individual skeins may also vary slightly. For best care, please hand wash all yarns in cool water with a mild detergent or wool wash and air dry. Yarns are carefully dyed to fully set color and rinsed before shipping, but some color bleeding is still normal with the first wash. Please note that orders shipped outside of the United States may incur additional duties or taxes upon delivery. These charges are the responsibility of the customer.