Dessert · Snack · Middle Eastern ·

Middle Eastern Babka with Dates and Pistachios

Name: Middle Eastern Babka with Dates and Pistachios
Prep time: 70 min
Cook time: 210 min
Total time: 280 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Dessert
Ingredients: 4 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup sugar; 1 packet active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons); 1 cup whole milk, warmed; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon salt; 2 cups pitted dates; 1/2 cup water; 1 tablespoon honey; 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon; 1 cup unsalted shelled pistachios, roughly chopped; 1/4 cup sugar; 1/2 teaspoon cardamom; 1/2 cup sugar; 1/2 cup water; 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Experience the twisty, delicious goodness of this Middle Eastern-inspired babka filled with sweet dates and crunchy pistachios.

4.3(920 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·November 13, 2025

Middle Eastern Babka with Dates and Pistachios — Dessert served and photographed from above

Prep

1 h 10 min

Cook

3 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Dough

For the Date Filling

For the Pistachio Mixture

For the Sugar Syrup

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 667 kcal
Protein: 12.2 g
Carbs: 117.8 g
Fat: 19 g
Fiber: 6.6 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 5999 kcal
Protein: 109.45 g
Carbs: 1059.9 g
Fat: 170.3 g
Fiber: 59.8 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
4 cups all-purpose flour	1824	52	384	4	12
1/2 cup sugar	387	0	100	0	0
1 packet active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)	21	3	3.2	0.3	0
1 cup whole milk, warmed	149	8	12	8	0
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened	814	0.9	0.1	92	0
2 large eggs	144	12.6	1.2	9.8	0
1 teaspoon salt	0	0	0	0	0
2 cups pitted dates	1320	8	356	0.8	32
1/2 cup water	0	0	0	0	0
1 tablespoon honey	64	0.1	17.3	0	0
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon	3	0.05	1	0	1
1 cup unsalted shelled pistachios, roughly chopped	688	25.7	34.8	55.4	13.8
1/4 cup sugar	194	0	50	0	0
1/2 teaspoon cardamom	3	0.1	1	0	1
1/2 cup sugar	387	0	100	0	0
1/2 cup water	0	0	0	0	0
1 teaspoon lemon juice	1	0	0.3	0	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Preparing the Dough

1
Activate Yeast
In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm milk and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
2
Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt. Make a well in the center and add eggs and butter.
3
Combine and Knead
Pour the yeast mixture into the well and mix until a sticky dough forms. Knead on a floured surface until smooth, about 10 minutes.

Making the Date Filling

1
Cook Dates
In a saucepan over medium heat, combine dates, water, honey, and cinnamon.
2
Thicken Mixture
Cook until the dates are soft and the mixture is thickened, about 10 minutes.
3
Blend Filling
Let cool and then blend to a smooth paste.
Tip: Ensure the date mixture is cool before spreading over the dough.

How to Make Middle Eastern Babka with Dates and Pistachios

Total time: 4 h 40 min · Yields 4 servings

1
Dough Rising
Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rise until doubled in size in a warm place.
2
Assembly
Roll out the dough into a rectangle, spread the date filling evenly, and sprinkle with the pistachio mixture. Roll tightly and cut lengthwise.
3
Baking
Place the twisted dough in a greased loaf pan, cover, and let rise for another hour. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45 minutes, until golden brown.