1. In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together the warm milk, warm water, sugar and yeast.

2. Let set for 5 minutes to proof.

3. Once the mixture is frothy, add in the eggs and whisk until combined. Using the dough hook attachment, mix in the flour and salt.

4. Let knead for 2 minutes.

5. Add in the butter and allow to continue kneading for 6 minutes.

6. The dough will be soft and sticky at this point but will have pulled itself away from the sides of the bowl into a rough ball.

7. Remove from the mixing bowl and roll into a smooth ball.

8. Place into a large, well greased bowl.

9. Spray the top of the dough with baking spray or brush with melted butter.

10. Cover and set in a warm place to rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

11. While the dough is rising, make the maple brown sugar sauce.

Preparing the Brown Sugar Sauce

1. Add all of the ingredients to a medium sized saucepan.

2. Place over medium heat and whisk until the sugar has melted.

3. Allow the mixture to simmer before reducing to low heat. Be sure to whisk constantly.

4. Let the mixture simmer on low for about 10 minutes or until the mixture has thickened significantly.

5. Transfer to a heat safe bowl to cool while you roll out the dough.

6. Once the dough has risen, turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Sprinkle the top with flour.

Baking the Babka

1. Use a rolling pin to roll the dough out into a rough rectangle about 8” wide and 12” long.

2. Spread the maple brown sugar sauce over the surface of the dough.

3. Spread the chopped pecans over the surface of the dough.

4. Roll the dough into a log. Cut about 1” off of each end.

5. Slice the dough log in half from end to end.

6. Pinch two of the ends together and leave the other two ends separated.

7. Take the left half log and fold it over the right half log, keeping the cut side up.

8. Carefully pull the right log under the left half log and up over the left half log.

9. They should be on their original sides at this point.

10. Fold the left half log over the right half log.

11. Pinch the end together. Carefully lift and place into a well greased loaf pan.

12. Cover with a towel and set in a warm area to rise for 30 minutes to 1 hour or until it has risen to meet the sides of the pan.

13. Preheat the oven to 350 F.

14. Once the babka has risen, place into the oven to bake for 50-55 minutes or until golden on top and baked through.

15. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before removing from the pan and slicing.