Funny how many people treat gear like it's disposable then get upset when it wears out. This reminds me of folks who leave tools in the rain or never change their car's oil, then act shocked when things fail. There's a basic lack of respect for how stuff actually works, like expecting magic instead of materials science. You see it everywhere, not just with camping gear. Why do we ignore the simple rules for keeping things in good shape?

Wait, is skipping the second rise really a disaster? I get that babka is supposed to be light, but come on, it's still sugar and dough. My aunt once made a cake that sank in the middle, and we just called it a pudding and ate it with spoons. So maybe your friend's dense babka is just a new style, like a fudgy brownie version. In the end, if it tastes good, who cares if it's not picture perfect?