Challah Bread

Content… What Is It? Recipe Ingredients How to Make It Recipe Variations Tips and Tricks Make-Ahead Instructions Serving and Storage Instructions FAQs What to Serve More Soul-Satisfying Bread Recipes to Try Conclusion Watch How to Make It

What Is Challah Bread?

I’m all for celebrating. Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, and they know how to enjoy good food. But because the Jewish calendar is lunar instead of solar, like most of us are used to, it falls on a different date every year. However, it’s sometime in September.

Just like other New Year celebrations, there are certain traditions. For example, apples dipped in honey, pomegranates for a fruitful year, and a whole fish (head included). But my all-time favorite is the challah bread.

Recipe Ingredients

1. Water – Room temperature or lukewarm-warm water will be most helpful to proof the yeast.
2. Active Dry Yeast is an essential leavening agent in making bread because it makes it soft and light. 
3. Unsalted Butter – The rich buttery flavor enhances the overall taste and texture. 
4. Eggs – It binds the dough, gives moisture, and provides elasticity, making the bread soft and slightly chewy.
5. Flour – The main bread ingredient is the base upon which all other ingredients rest. Yes, you can use an all-purpose gluten-free bread mixture.
6. Egg Wash – Egg yolks and cream (or milk) on top make a nice golden brown color and shiny finish. 

How to Make Challah Bread

Make the Challah Dough

• Proof – Combine lukewarm water and yeast and let it sit until dissolved (about 5 minutes). You may do so in a standing mixer if using any.
• Combine – Meanwhile, in a microwave-safe medium bowl, melt butter chunks, sugar, and salt in the microwave for about a minute. Stir until everything melts, until warm, not hot. Let the mixture cool slightly if it gets too hot because you don’t want it to kill your yeast or curdle your egg. Dump everything into the yeast mixture.
• Add Egg – Whisk the egg into the mixture. Mix well. (Photo 1)
• Add Flour – Add about 3 cups of flour and continue mixing by hand or using paddle dough. Add just enough flour to make a soft dough. (Photos 2-3)
• Knead – Turn your dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 6-7 minutes (more if necessary to get the right texture). Or you can use your stand mixer with a dough hook. (Photo 4)
• Rise – Lightly oil a bowl, put the dough in turn once to coat the dough. Cover loosely with a clean cloth and let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for 1-2 hours or until doubled in size. Punch the dough down. (Photos 5-6)

Shape and Bake

• Divide – Remove dough onto a floured board or work surface. Divide the dough into 2 pieces, one about half the size of the other. The approximate weight for the larger ball of dough should be 18-19 ounces, and the smaller dough about 9 ounces. (Photos 7-8)
• Make Three Strands – Now divide the larger piece of dough into three equal strands. Stretch or roll the strands out into an even thickness until they become like ropes about 16 inches long.
• Braiding Challah – Line up the strands and pinch them together at one end. Braid the strands; take the left strand and cross it over the middle strand. Take the right strand, cross it over the middle strand, and repeat until you reach the end. Tightly pinch to seal the ends. (Photos 9-12)
• Transfer – Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and carefully transfer the braid. Repeat the exact same process with the smaller dough.
• Assemble – Brush egg white onto the larger braided dough, then carefully place the smaller braided dough on top. Make sure it sits well.
• Second Rise – Cover with a kitchen cloth and let rise until puffy, 30-45 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350℉/177℃. 
• Egg Wash – Whisk together egg yolks and cream, then gently brush the loaf with the egg wash. Be careful not to deflate the bread.
• Bake in preheated oven for 30-40 minutes or until the loaf is golden brown. If the bread browns quickly, cover loosely with foil paper.
• Serve – Let it cool completely before slicing.

Recipe Variations

1. Challah Rolls: You can divide the dough into small rolls instead of braiding them. 
2. Challah Pretzels: Try it with smaller strands and shape it into pretzels. Enjoy it dipped with homemade chocolate sauce.
3. Challah Sandwich: Slice the bread and add your favorite sandwich spread or filling. You can enjoy it with cheese and smoked ham. Yum!

Tips and Tricks

1. If you want to make a loaf for the New Year, simply stretch it a little longer. Then pull both ends towards each other to create a circle and squeeze the ends together to seal.
2. Sprinkle your challah with sesame seeds or poppy seeds after brushing the loaf with the egg wash.
3. Let your dough rest for 15-20 minutes before kneading it. That allows the flour to absorb liquid, making a softer, smoother dough.
4. Brush the top of your finished challah with honey for a traditional treat.

Make-Ahead Instructions

Place the unbaked braided loaf in a baking pan the day before and cover it well with greased plastic wrap. Refrigerate it overnight. It will take longer to rise, but it will be fine.

Remove the dough from the refrigerator (still covered) the next day, and let it warm up while the oven preheats. Then bake according to the instructions.

Serving and Storage Instructions

While it can be tempting to dive in when it comes out of the oven, it’s best to let it cool before eating.

You can store leftover challah bread wrapped tightly in plastic at room temperature for 4-5 days. Most people say don’t put it in the fridge, and I agree. But you can freeze it in a freezer-safe bag (removing as much air as possible) for 3-6 months.

Let frozen challah come at room temperature and enjoy.

FAQs

What to Serve With Challah Bread

A traditional Rosh Hashanah menu includes chicken soup, slow-roasted brisket, roasted root vegetables, and apple cake. Really, you only need to avoid bitter and vinegary foods to celebrate this holiday in style.

More Soul-Satisfying Bread Recipes to Try

1. Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread
2. Coco Bread
3. Focaccia Bread
4. Apple Bread
5. No Knead Bread

Conclusion

Challah bread is full of spiritual meaning. Do you have a holiday tradition involving this fabulous bread? Please share them with me in the comments. ❤️

Watch How to Make It

[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”WKH45Yhn” upload-date=”2019-04-16T22:34:04.000Z” name=”Challah Bread” description=”Challah Bread – braided loaf bread with a gorgeous golden brown exterior and a supple interior. A perfect holiday or Easter spread. Rich, slightly sweetened and easy to make, too!”]

This blog post was originally published in August 2019 and has been updated with additional tips, new photos, and a video.