Challah Bread or Jewish Braided Bread is a special bread that is typically eaten on the Sabbath and other Jewish holidays (other than passover). You actually pronounce it ‘Hallah’. This is a recipe I posted back in 2009, and is a favorite of mine! I thought it was time for an updated post!
A little history on this pretty bread:
According to the website My Jewish Learning, ‘Challah is made in various sizes and shapes, all of which have a meaning. Braided ones, which may have three, four, or six strands, are the most common, and because they look like arms intertwined, symbolize love. Three braids symbolize truth, peace, and justice. Twelve humps from two small or one large braided bread symbolize the 12 Tribes of Israel. Round loaves, where there is no beginning and no end, are baked for Rosh Hashanah to symbolize continuity.’
Challah Bread
Ingredients
- Ingredients:
- 2 Tb active dry yeast (I like SAF brand)
- 2 cups warm water
- ½ c. sugar (take one TB off the top to add to the yeast)
- 1 Tb salt
- 1/2 c. canola oil
- 7 1/2–8 1/2 c. flour
- 5 large eggs (room temperature–4 in dough and 1 for egg wash)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, dissolve yeast and 1 tablespoon sugar in 2 cups warm water.
- Whisk oil into yeast, then beat in 4 eggs, one at a time, with remaining sugar and salt. Gradually add flour. When dough holds together, it is ready for kneading. (You can also use a mixer with a dough hook for both mixing and kneading.)
- Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead until smooth. Clean out bowl and grease it, then return dough to bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, until almost doubled in size. Dough may also rise in an oven that has been warmed to 150 degrees then turned off. Punch down dough, Separate into 2 large equal pieces. Working with one at a time, divide each half into three more pieces. Roll into snakes and braid together. Let rise for about 1-2 hours or until almost double in size.
- Then brush with egg wash (1 egg mixed with 1 Tb water) over bread. Sprinkle with poppy seeds or sesame seeds if desired.
- Either freeze breads or let rise another hour.
- If baking immediately, preheat oven to 375 degrees and brush loaves again.
- If freezing, remove from freezer 5 hours before baking.
- Bake at 350° until done (25-30 minutes)
This is just the recipe I needed for my birthday dinner! And this one doesn’t need honey, which saves me a trip to the store. Thanks for sharing!
I am just discovering your site now..love it! I have never had this bread before but it almost sounds similar to Nisu (or Nissu) which is a delicious Finnish braided bread. A lot of people use theirs for French toast too. I have always frosted mine with powdered sugar frosting. It also can be filled with cream cheese/raspberry etc filling which I have yet to try!
OH my gosh! My sister made that but it didn't turn out as good as yours! Keep up the good work!
This looks delicious. I was just looking through a Jewish baking book yesterday and saw a challah recipe that started with six strands that you braid. Now I'm in the mood to make some of this. 🙂
You know what they say about never trusting a skinny cook…luckily you guys have an amazing blog to disprove that statement! Thanks.
That is a really great picture of you girls…I didn't realize that Erin's little girl is the only granddaughter out of all of those boys!
Keep up the recipes. My ward's Relief Society is always using your site. There's always something from here at ward potlucks or gatherings.
What a good looking family.
This looks and sounds so good. I used to work at a bakery that sold Challah bread, yours turned out looking so gorgeous! I am very impressed. And I cant wait to try out the recipe for myself, though I am sure my wont turn out as pretty.
Dear Jen V and Bonnie,
Saf Instant Yeast is a high potency, fast acting yeast that can be added directly to your dry ingredients without it having to be put in a starter first. Saf Instant Yeast is more than twice as active as regular compressed yeast. You need less – and less storage space.
It is readily available at most places you purchase baking goods. Hope that helps!
Melanie
I'm wondering the same thing … what is SAF yeast ??
What is SAF yeast?
I have always wanted to make challah bread (we also love it for french toast) but it always looked too hard. Your recipe looks pretty easy so I'm going to definitely try it out!
Beautiful!!!!!!! sums up your bread. I cant wait to try this. I am so glad you are having a great time with your sisters.
Beautiful, sis!
You girls are all gorgeous!!! Someday I will make challah bread….I will really. Your looks fantastic!
It is beautiful. I am a bread maker. I make half whole wheat usually… three loaves about every two or three days… but I have never made Challah. Maybe Sunday. What a nice tradition that would be:) Thank you for the recipe. I really want to make that berry coffeecake, too…
i love this bread – it is just beautiful! what a good idea to make it to give away!
Gorgeous! It's a bread that I'm planning to make "someday". Looking at your bread, someday may be sooner than I thought!
I love challah, can't wait to try this. My far away sister is coming in a month & a half, I can't wait!!!
This bread looks fantastic!