How to Make Delicious Challah Bread – A Comprehensive Guide

Challah is a traditional braided bread, usually made with wheat flour. It is typically served on Shabbat – the Jewish sabbath –  and other Jewish holidays such as Rosh Hashanah. Challah (the word “challah” literally means “loaf of bread”) is typically formed into a round or oval loaf shape, or a long loaf, and is usually made with a combination of eggs, water, yeast, and oil.

There are many variations of this moderately-sweet bread, including whole wheat, spelt, and rye challah. Braided challah bread can be stuffed with cheese or served plain. Challah is much like brioche bread in that it is light and fluffy, but brioche bread is often made with butter rather than oil and doesn’t come in the form of a braided loaf.

Forms of challah bread have been around for centuries and are deeply connected to the Jewish faith and culture. Two loaves of challah bread that Jews display on Shabbat symbolize the manna – the miraculous food that God gave the ancient Israelites and allowed them to survive – during their journey through the desert.

Challah bread wasn’t always rich, eggy, and subtly-sweet. During the Middle Ages, challah was simple and plain-tasting.  In 15th century Austria and Southern Germany, Jewish women began braiding challah, and much later in the United States, Eastern European Jewish immigrants sweetened challah bread considerably.

The main ingredients in challah bread are flour, sugar, yeast, water, and oil. The flour used in challah bread is usually all-purpose flour (or white flour), but any good bread flour will work. The sugar can be white sugar, brown sugar, or honey. The yeast helps let the dough rise and adds flavor. The oil adds richness and allows the bread to remain moist, while the water binds the challah together. Loaves of braided challah are often topped with poppy seeds, sesame seeds, or both.

Challah is traditionally braided into a three-strand rope before baking. It has been said that this technique is used to represent the unity of the Jewish people, as the strands of challah dough become one. It has also been claimed that the three strands represent justice, truth, and peace. There are other braiding techniques, including a four-strand, five-strand, and six-strand challah braid. Depending on the occasion, different braiding techniques may be used.

You can use a neutral-flavored oil, such as vegetable oil, but many recipes call for olive oil, which provides the challah bread with texture and richness . Some recipes even recommend butter instead of oil.

There are many recipes for challah bread, from the traditional three-strand braid to more elaborate shapes and designs. There are even recipes for vegan and gluten-free versions of challah. Recipes often include a variety of ingredients, such as nuts, raisins, and even chocolate chips. Some of the best challah bread recipes call for sesame seeds, poppy seeds, and even golden raisins, but this is all a matter of personal preference.

When braiding his challah, Erez folds the dough into extra-long cylindrical shapes, almost like baguettes, ensuring they are pointy at each end. Erez makes two signature stuffed challah breads: one woven with fennel & sage blossoms, the other stuffed with savory Kashkaval cheese and garlic confit.

Here’s a brief summary of some of the different types of challah bread, from the plain and traditional to those topped with poppy or sesame seeds.

Plain: A traditional round loaf of braided egg bread, plain braided challah is popular for Shabbat meals and holidays such as Rosh Hashanah and Passover. It is also used for more everyday meals and is a popular accompaniment to soup and salads.

Chocolate Chip: This type of challah bread is great for people who love chocolate or for anyone with a sweet tooth. Making it involves adding chocolate chips to the challah dough towards the end of the kneading process, which ensures that the chocolate chips are evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Cinnamon Raisin: Featuring a delicious combination of cinnamon and raisins, this challah is great for breakfast. The cinnamon and raisins add a sweet flavor that can help satisfy a sweet tooth without the added sugar and calories. Cinnamon raisin challah is also a healthier option than cinnamon rolls because it is made with whole wheat flour and is usually made without added sugar.

Whole Wheat: For a more healthy twist on your challah recipe, try this whole wheat version. Whole wheat challah is made with whole wheat flour, which gives it a nuttier flavor and a denser texture than traditional challah.

Walnut: A nutty addition to the traditional braided challah bread recipe, walnut challah is a great way to add a bit of crunch to your meal. For a great flavor combination of sweet and crunchy, sometimes dates are added to this recipe.

Challah Rolls: Perfect for a side dish or snack, challah rolls are great for any occasion. They are round or braided in shape, and can contain sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or other toppings. They are often served with honey, jam, or butter. They’re also excellent for sandwiches.

Pumpkin: A seasonal twist on the traditional challah, this pumpkin version is perfect for the fall months. Pumpkin challah typically includes pumpkin puree, spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, and sometimes other ingredients such as nuts or raisins. These additional ingredients give this challah an original flavor and texture.

Sunflower Seed: For a nutty flavor, try sunflower seed challah. Sunflower seeds are packed with essential vitamins and minerals and are a great source of healthy fats and protein, adding more nutritional value to the bread.

Onion and Poppy Seed: This challah recipe combines onion and poppy seeds for a unique flavor. In addition to poppy seeds, sesame seeds are also commonly used with braided Jewish bread.

Making braided challah bread is an art form that requires patience, precision, and practice. Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your challah-making experience:

• For the best challah bread taste, be sure to use the correct ingredients in the proper amounts. For example, you’ll need to bake with the right type of flour (An all-purpose or bread flour) and the right amount of yeast.
• Use room temperature ingredients. This will ensure that the dough rises properly.
• For his challah recipe, Erez uses three eggs for his challah dough: two egg yolks, and for the remaining egg he uses both the egg yolks as well as the egg white.
• Don’t over-mix the challah dough. Too much mixing can make the dough tough. 
• After mixing the dough, Erez recommends coating a large bowl with unfiltered sunflower seed oil. This will help create a great flavor and aroma, and will prevent the dough from sticking.
• Once the dough is inside the bowl, flip the dough over so that the smooth part is on top, Erez recommends.
• Erez warns against covering the bowl with saran wrap, which will close off the oxygen. Rather, loosely cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it sit at room temperature for 45 minutes.
• Let the challah dough rise twice. This will give the bread a better texture.
• Braid the dough correctly. Make sure to keep your strands even and taut while braiding.
• Don’t forget the egg wash. This will help give the bread a golden-brown color and a glossy finish.
• Bake the bread at the correct temperature: 325 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature is too low, the bread may not fully cook or rise. This can result in a dense, gummy texture and a raw center – and the crust may not be crisp and golden. Baking challah at too high of a temperature can cause the bread to burn.
• Let your challah cool before cutting or serving it. Place the challah on a cooling rack and allow it to cool for at least 30 minutes. If the challah is left too long on the baking sheet, it can become soggy.
• Leftover Challah Bread: If you are not serving your challah right away, you can wrap it in foil and store it at room temperature for up to a few days.
• To freeze challah bread, wrap the bread in plastic wrap or foil and place it in a freezer-safe bag or container. Label the bag or container with the date and freeze for up to 3 months. Securing it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil will prevent freezer burn.
• To thaw, let the bread sit at room temperature for a few hours or overnight.

After braiding your challah, it is baking time. Place your braided challah on parchment paper, transfer it to a baking tray, and let it rest for 90 minutes. After covering it with the plastic wrap, let it rise for 90 minutes at room temperature. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees and put the challah (along with parchment paper) onto the heated baking sheet. After you baste the challah with egg wash, go ahead and bake it on the baking sheet.

Challah bread has a variety of uses. It makes the best French toast, grilled cheese sandwiches, Thanksgiving stuffing, and base for bread pudding. It can also be used as an edible scoop for dips and spreads, or as an accompaniment to soups and salads. As whole fresh loaves of braided challah, it can also make for a beautiful golden brown focal point for your dinner table. And challah rolls are superb for making deli sandwiches and to toast in the morning as part of your breakfast.

Whether it’s being baked for symbolic and religious reasons or not, challah is a delicious and one-of-a-kind bread that can improve the quality of many meals. It is incredible as a Thanksgiving stuffing, perfect for French Toast, never disappointing as a bread or roll for your sandwich, and aesthetically pleasing as the centerpiece for a special family dinner – or for Jewish holidays like Rosh Hashanah. For all these reasons and more, fresh golden brown challah bread is an excellent food to know how to make.