Melt margarine in one cup boiling water. Dissolve yeast in a quarter cup warm water.

In a large mixer bowl, combine the margarine and the yeast mixture and then add the rest of ingredients, adding flour last. Mix and add more flour, as necessary. (Dough should be a bit sticky.)

Refrigerate dough at least three hours. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine filling ingredients of your choice.

Divide dough into three parts. Roll out each part to quarter-inch thickness. Smear with oil. Sprinkle filling of choice (chocolate or cinnamon) generously over dough. (Make more filling, if necessary – see note.)

Roll up dough, jelly-roll fashion. Cut into one- to one- and- a- half-inch thick slices. For buns, place slices on greased cookie sheet. To shape as a babka, place slices in a round pattern in a greased nine-inch round pan.

Allow dough to rise for 15 additional minutes. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.