Are you looking for a recipe that will transport you back to your grandmother's kitchen? Almost Grandmothers Challah is a classic recipe that has been passed down through generations, creating a soft, golden, and delicious bread that is perfect for any occasion. Whether you're new to baking or a seasoned pro, this guide will take you through the simple steps to create this iconic challah, bringing the warmth and comfort of a grandmother's kitchen to your own home.
Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!
ALMOST GRANDMOTHER'S CHALLAH
Provided by Arthur Wenner
Categories Bread Egg Bake Purim Rosh Hashanah/Yom Kippur Kosher Bon Appétit California
Yield Makes 2 loaves
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Combine 1/2 cup warm water, yeast and 1 tablespoon sugar in large glass measuring cup and stir until yeast dissolves. Let yeast mixture stand at room temperature until foamy, about 10 minutes.
- In large bowl of heavy-duty mixer fitted with whisk attachment, beat 5 eggs until blended. Add oil, salt and 3/4 cup sugar and beat until pale yellow and slightly thickened, about 4 minutes. Beat in 2/3 cup warm water. Add yeast mixture and beat until blended. Remove whisk and fit mixer with dough hook. Add enough flour 1 cup at a time to form smooth dough, beating well after each addition. Beat on medium speed until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes, adding flour by tablespoonfuls if sticky. Turn out onto floured surface and knead 2 minutes.
- Lightly oil large bowl. Add dough, turning to coat with oil. Cover with plastic wrap, then with clean kitchen towel. Let dough rise in warm draft-free area until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
- Punch down dough. Cover with plastic and clean kitchen towel and let rise 30 minutes.
- Grease 2 large baking sheets. Turn out dough onto lightly floured surface. Divide dough into 2 equal portions. Divide each portion into 3 equal pieces. Roll each piece into 9-inch-long rope. Braid 3 ropes together; pinch ends together to seal. Repeat with remaining dough pieces, forming 2 braids. Place each braid on baking sheet. Cover with towel . Let rise in warm area until almost doubled, about 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Whisk yolk with 1 tablespoon water to blend. Brush dough with egg mixture. Bake 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Bake until bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on bottom, about 35 minutes. Transfer loaves to rack and cool completely. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Wrap tightly in plastic and store at room temperature.)
GEORGIAN CHALLAH
Provided by Joan Nathan
Yield Yield: 4 loaves (P)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- 1. Dissolve the active dry yeast along with the sugar in the water in a large glass container. Mix and let sit about 10 minutes.
- 2. In a large bowl mix 5 cups of the flour with the salt. Add the yeast mixture and the vegetable oil. Work the ingredients together with a spoon; when they come together turn out on a floured board, and knead with your hands until the dough becomes a smooth ball. Place in a greased bowl and let rise, covered, for an hour or so or until doubled.
- 3. Punch down and divide into 4 balls. Cover with a towel and let rise about a half hour.
- 4. Meanwhile, place 4 empty round baking pans or cookie sheets in a preheated 400-degree oven for about 10 minutes and remove.
- 5. When the dough has risen, punch down and divide into 4 balls. At this point you can treat this like everyday or Sabbath bread. For weekdays, press down and stretch, using the back of your hand. Grease the baking pans and press the dough down into them. Using your fingers, make big indentations in the center of the dough. For Sabbath bread, keep the shape in a round and make a few slashes in the bread. Sprinkle the dough, whatever the shape, with water and bake in the oven for about 20 minutes or until the loaf sounds hollow when tapped with a spatula.
MIRIAM'S NOT-SO-SECRET CHALLAH
A surprisingly sweet, yet light, challah that makes any night special. Feel free to knead some raisins into the dough if you like.
Provided by MIRIAM571
Categories Bread Yeast Bread Recipes Egg Challah Recipes
Time 3h10m
Yield 20
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- In a small saucepan, combine water and margarine in a small saucepan. Heat until margarine is melted and very warm, but not boiling.
- In a large bowl, mix together 3 cups flour, white sugar, brown sugar, yeast and salt. Add water and margarine mixture; beat well. Add 4 eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, beating well after each addition. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes.
- Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
- Deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into six equal pieces and form into long 'ropes'. Braid the pieces together to form two large loaves. Place the loaves on two lightly greased cookie sheets, cover the loaves with a damp cloth and let rise until doubled in volume, about 40 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Brush the risen loaves with the beaten egg and sprinkle with poppy seeds. Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes, until loaf sounds hollow when tapped.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 253 calories, Carbohydrate 39.7 g, Cholesterol 46.5 mg, Fat 6.8 g, Fiber 1.4 g, Protein 7.8 g, SaturatedFat 1.3 g, Sodium 421.7 mg, Sugar 4.6 g
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients for the best flavor.
- Make sure your water is lukewarm, not hot. Hot water will kill the yeast.
- Knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic. This will help the dough to rise properly.
- Let the dough rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size. This will take about 1 hour.
- Punch down the dough and divide it into 3 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rope, then braid the ropes together.
- Place the braided dough on a greased baking sheet and let it rise for 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Bake the challah for 30-35 minutes, or until it is golden brown.
- Let the challah cool before slicing and serving.
Conclusion:
Challah is a delicious and versatile bread that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It is also a popular bread for Jewish holidays and celebrations. With a little planning and effort, you can make a delicious challah at home. So next time you're looking for a special bread to serve your family and friends, give this challah recipe a try.
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