Challah, a braided egg bread, is a popular Jewish bread that is often served on special occasions. Traditionally, challah is made with simple ingredients such as flour, water, yeast, eggs, and salt, but variations of the recipe can include different types of flour, sweeteners, and spices. The braiding technique used in challah not only gives the bread its unique shape but also adds a decorative element, making it a beautiful addition to any table. Whether you're looking for a traditional challah recipe or a more creative twist, there are many variations to choose from.
Let's cook with our recipes!
CHALLAH I (BRAIDED EGG BREAD)
I bake challah every week for our Sabbath meal. It's so easy to make in a KitchenAid mixer. Challah tastes great in French Toast or Cinnamon Toast recipes. This challah recipe is my kid's favorite.
Provided by CardaMom
Categories Yeast Breads
Time 40m
Yield 1 large challah
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400°F Dissolve 1 teaspoon sugar in 1/2 cup water in bowl of mixer. Sprinkle yeast over water and mix,let stand 10 minutes until foamy.
- Add the next 6 ingredients to mixing bowl. Mix with dough hook for 6 minutes. Dough should be a little sticky.
- Place in oiled bowl, cover and let rise in warm place until double in bulk.
- Punch down dough. Let rise again until double in bulk.
- Punch down again. Divide dough into 3 equal parts.
- Roll dough into three long strands. Braid the strands, tucking ends under. Cover with towel and let double in bulk.
- Brush with beaten egg yolk. Sprinkle with seeds. Bake at 400 F for approximately 30 minutes, until golden brown. The challah is done when it sounds hollow when thumped on the bottom.
RICH CHALLAH (BRAIDED EGG BREAD)
Many Challah breads either have too many eggs or just not enough. This recipe has just the right amount, about 1 egg per cup of flour. This recipe can also be done on the dough cycle in your bread machine and finished by hand. Best of all it makes THE BEST French toast! Cooking time does not include rising time.
Provided by QueenBof6
Categories Yeast Breads
Time 50m
Yield 1 LARGE LOAF, 16 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- In bread machine add to bread pan in order suggested by manufacturer, select dough setting, press start.
- After beep, remove risen dough and follow directions on how to shape and bake below.
- In Kitchen-aid stand mixer or like devise mix dry ingredients in bowl and turn on low speed to incorporate.
- Add eggs one at a time, allow to mix in before adding next one, then add oil.
- Turn mixer up to next speed (2 on Kitchen-aid), add milk in a slow stream, knead until soft, smooth, and warm, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Grease a bowl and place dough in bowl turning to coat.
- Allow to rest and rise until double in size.
- ***Shaping and baking***.
- Punch down and turn out risen dough onto a lightly oiled surface, let rest 5 minutes, punching dough down gets it all excited, it needs to sit and relax.
- Shape dough into a log and cut off 1/3; set aside.
- Cut remaining dough into 3 pieces and roll into 18 inch ropes, start braid from middle and braid to one end, pinch together and tuck under, repeat with other side.
- Cut set aside dough into 3 pieces and roll out to 13-15 inches long, repeat braiding method and place smaller braid on top of larger braid.
- Grease a large 1/2 sheet baking sheet and place finished braid sideways from corner to corner.
- Allow to rise until almost double, mix glaze ingredients and brush loaf gently.
- Bake in preheated 350°F oven for 35-45 minutes, cover loosely with foil 15-20 minutes into baking to avoid over browning.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 231.9, Fat 7.3, SaturatedFat 1.3, Cholesterol 76.5, Sodium 255.9, Carbohydrate 34.9, Fiber 1.2, Sugar 4.9, Protein 6.2
CHALLAH (BRAIDED EGG BREAD)
Challah bread is one of the most satisfying things I make. I usually knead it in my Kenwood mixer, but there's nothing like kneading by hand to help relieve stress.
Provided by Mirj2338
Categories Breads
Time 4h
Yield 4 medium challahs
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Mix together 2 1/2 cups flour with the sugar (honey), salt and yeast.
- There is no need to dissolve the yeast first.
- Add the water and oil.
- Mix in 4 eggs.
- Beat in another 1 1/2 cups of flour very well.
- Add 4-5 cups of flour, until a very soft dough is formed.
- Knead for about 10 minutes.
- If using the dough hook, knead for about 7 minutes.
- Let rise for 1-2 hours until doubled in size.
- Alternately, let rise in the refrigerator overnight and then let warm to room temperature for about 1 or 2 hours.
- Decide how many challahs you want, how many strands you want to braid in each.
- Make a dough ball for each strand; roll them into ropes and braid.
- Let rise covered for 1/2-1 hour.
- Beat the remaining egg and brush on the challah.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 325 F (150 C) for 30 minutes.
- Apply egg wash once more and bake for another 30 minutes at 350 F (175 C).
- This dough is enough for 4 medium sized challahs.
- You can really let your imagination run rampant here, making intricate braids, placing the braids in a loaf pan, even then winding them into a circle.
- You can add about 1/4 cup of raisins to the dough, but we leave them out.
CHALLAH I
Traditional egg bread for the Jewish Sabbath. You can add 1 cup raisins or golden raisins to the dough just before shaping and then make the loafs into round braids for Rosh Hashanah.
Provided by Joan Callaway
Categories Bread Yeast Bread Recipes Egg Challah Recipes
Time 3h40m
Yield 30
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In a large bowl, sprinkle yeast over barely warm water. Beat in honey, oil, 2 eggs, and salt. Add the flour one cup at a time, beating after each addition, graduating to kneading with hands as dough thickens. Knead until smooth and elastic and no longer sticky, adding flour as needed. Cover with a damp clean cloth and let rise for 1 1/2 hours or until dough has doubled in bulk.
- Punch down the risen dough and turn out onto floured board. Divide in half and knead each half for five minutes or so, adding flour as needed to keep from getting sticky. Divide each half into thirds and roll into long snake about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Pinch the ends of the three snakes together firmly and braid from middle. Either leave as braid or form into a round braided loaf by bringing ends together, curving braid into a circle, pinch ends together. Grease two baking trays and place finished braid or round on each. Cover with towel and let rise about one hour.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Beat the remaining egg and brush a generous amount over each braid. Sprinkle with poppy seeds if desired.
- Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for about 40 minutes. Bread should have a nice hollow sound when thumped on the bottom. Cool on a rack for at least one hour before slicing.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 164.5 calories, Carbohydrate 30.3 g, Cholesterol 18.6 mg, Fat 2.8 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 4.3 g, SaturatedFat 0.5 g, Sodium 241.3 mg, Sugar 4.7 g
CHALLAH
Eggs lend to the richness of this traditional challah bread recipe. The attractive golden color and delicious flavor make it hard to resist. -Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Provided by Taste of Home
Time 1h
Yield 2 loaves (16 pieces each).
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the oil, sugar, salt, eggs and 4 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a firm dough. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour., Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide in half. Divide each portion into thirds. Shape each piece into a 15-in. rope. , Place 3 ropes on a greased baking sheet and braid; pinch ends to seal and tuck under. Repeat with remaining dough. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour., Preheat oven to 350°. Beat egg and cold water; brush over braids. Sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds if desired. Bake until golden brown, 30-40 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 139 calories, Fat 5g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 29mg cholesterol, Sodium 233mg sodium, Carbohydrate 20g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 4g protein.
BREAD MACHINE CHALLAH I
Easy recipe for challah or egg bread using a bread machine. I use the light setting on my bread machine.
Provided by Suzy
Categories Bread Yeast Bread Recipes Egg Challah Recipes
Time 3h5m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Add ingredients to the pan of the bread machine in the order suggested by the manufacturer.
- Select Basic Bread and Light Crust settings. Start.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 184.4 calories, Carbohydrate 30 g, Cholesterol 32.2 mg, Fat 4.4 g, Fiber 0.9 g, Protein 5.9 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Sodium 340.6 mg, Sugar 5.1 g
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
BRAIDED EGG BREAD
For Rosh Hashana, loaves of braided bread-also commonly called challah-are baked to symbolize continuity. Since I first made this bread some years ago, it has become a much-requested recipe. -Marlene Jeffery, Holland, MB
Provided by Taste of Home
Time 55m
Yield 1 loaf (16 slices).
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine 2-1/2 cups flour, sugar, yeast and salt. In a small saucepan, heat water and oil to 120°-130°. Add to dry ingredients along with eggs. Beat on medium speed for 3 minutes. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. , Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1-1/2 hours., Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface. Set a third of the dough aside. Divide remaining dough into 3 pieces. Shape each into a 13-in. rope. Place ropes on a greased baking sheet and braid; pinch ends to seal and tuck under. , Divide reserved dough into 3 equal pieces; shape each into a 14-in. rope. Braid ropes. Center 14-in. braid on top of the shorter braid. Pinch ends to seal and tuck under. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes. , Preheat oven to 375°. In a small bowl, beat egg and water; brush over dough. Sprinkle with poppy seeds. Bake until golden brown, 25-30 minutes. Cover with foil during the last 15 minutes of baking. Remove from pan to a wire rack to cool.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 134 calories, Fat 4g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 40mg cholesterol, Sodium 123mg sodium, Carbohydrate 20g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 4g protein.
Tips:
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients. This will make a big difference in the taste and texture of your challah.
- Make sure your yeast is active. If you're not sure, proof it before using it. To proof yeast, dissolve it in warm water with a little sugar and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. If it gets foamy, it's good to use.
- Knead the dough well. This will help develop the gluten and give your challah a chewy texture.
- Let the dough rise in a warm place. This will help it double in size.
- Braid the dough. This is the traditional way to shape challah. You can find many different braiding tutorials online.
- Egg wash the challah before baking. This will give it a golden brown crust.
- Bake the challah until it's golden brown and cooked through.
Conclusion:
Challah is a delicious and versatile bread that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It's perfect for sandwiches, toast, or French toast. With a little practice, you can easily make challah at home. So what are you waiting for? Give it a try!
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