Best 2 Fantastic Challah Recipes
In the world of baked goods, challah holds a special place. This traditional Jewish bread, often braided and topped with sesame or poppy seeds, is not only a culinary delight but also a symbol of joy and celebration. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a novice just starting out, creating a fantastic challah is an endeavor worth embarking on. With the right recipe and a bit of patience, you'll be able to impress your family and friends with a beautiful, flavorful loaf that will make any occasion extra special.
Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!
FANTASTIC VEGAN CHALLAH
A delicious vegan challah adapted from an Israeli cookbook by Keren Peled. When I don't need to make this vegan, I just use an egg instead of the egg replacer and also brush with an egg for the glaze with, perhaps a pinch of brown sugar and soy milk or even regular milk for a dairy meal (we have a Dairy ONLY kitchen). You may also sprinkle with poppyseeds, add vanilla and/or cinnamon (I'm trying this for the first time today) or replace the vital wheat gluten with ground flax seeds (which I prefer!) This is our standby challah recipe for shabbat and chaggim and it's truly delicious (and I'm HARD to please)!
Provided by Food Snob in Israel
Categories Yeast Breads
Time 1h55m
Yield 2 large loaves
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Put all ingredients into a bread machine.
- Set to dough setting.
- take out dough and braid.
- brush with glaze
- sprinkle with sesame seeds.
- cook until done in an aproxamately 325 degree fahrenheit oven. Should be light golden on the top.
- Enjoy.
FANTASTIC CHALLAH
This recipe came from a lot of trial and error. It was the first major thing I learned to cook on my own, so I'm pretty proud of it. I use it for a traditional Shabbos meal, but its good anytime. Most of the prep time is from the dough needing to rise. It's actually very easy to make.
Provided by Kerri Stern
Categories Yeast Breads
Time 3h30m
Yield 2 loaves
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- This recipe works best in a big mixer, but can be done by hand.
- I've never tried it in a bread machine.
- In a separate bowl, proof yeast by mixing with with 3/4 cup of warm water (follow temperature guide on package) and 1T sugar.
- It should double in size.
- While yeast is proofing, put dry ingredients into mixing bowl.
- Wait for the yeast to be ready to add eggs, oil, 1 C warm water, and the yeast mixture.
- Mix on lowest setting for about a minute then increase slightly to reccommended setting for bread.
- Mix for 10- 15 minutes adding flour if needed.
- Dough should be sticky, but pull away from sides of bowl.
- Leave dough in the same bowl to rise, and cover with a damp cloth.
- Keep it someplace warm, I like to run the dishwasher at the same time and put the bowl on top.
- Let it rise for 1 1/2- 2 hours, until double in size.
- When dough is doubled, turn it out onto a floured surface and knead by hand a little.
- Oil 2 large loaf pans well, this bread tends to stick.
- divide the dough in half.
- You can braid it like traditional challah, or just form into a loaf shape and put it into the pan.
- To braid it divide each half into three pieces and roll each into a rope.
- Pinch the ends of three ropes together and alternate crossing the sides over the middle.
- Pinch the ends together and place in loaf pan.
- Brush the top with a beaten egg.
- You can also top with sesame or poppy seeds.
- Bake for 1/2- 3/4 hour at 350 degrees.
- Bread should be medium brown and should sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Let cool on a cake rack.
- This challah freezes very well if wrapped tightly.
- It tastes great warm.
Tips:
- Choose the right flour: Bread flour is the best choice for challah, as it has a high protein content that gives the bread a chewy texture. If you don't have bread flour, you can use all-purpose flour, but the challah may not be as chewy.
- Proof the yeast: Proofing the yeast is essential for ensuring that the bread rises properly. To proof the yeast, dissolve it in warm water with a little sugar and let it sit for 5-10 minutes, or until it becomes foamy.
- Knead the dough properly: Kneading the dough is important for developing the gluten in the flour, which gives the bread its structure. Knead the dough for at least 5 minutes, or until it is smooth and elastic.
- Let the dough rise: After you have kneaded the dough, let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size. This will give the yeast time to work and produce carbon dioxide, which will make the bread light and airy.
- Bake the challah at a high temperature: Challah should be baked at a high temperature, around 350 degrees Fahrenheit, for about 30-35 minutes. This will give the bread a crispy crust and a fluffy interior.
Conclusion:
Challah is a delicious and versatile bread that can be enjoyed on its own or used to make sandwiches, French toast, or other dishes. With a little practice, you can easily make your own challah at home. So next time you're looking for a special bread to serve at your next meal, give challah a try!
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