I love to try new recipes and when I came across a recipe for Challah bread I knew I needed to try it. It is so soft and delicious. It’s like a pillow of deliciousness in your mouth! My family loves to eat it plain right out of the oven or with a bit of butter. It is one of my favorite staple bread recipes.
Challah bread is a slightly sweet bread made with eggs and butter or oil. It is delicious to each on its own or with butter or to dip into your favorite dips or sauces.
Challah bread is oftentimes braided in 3 or 6 strands. I love the 3 strand braid because it looks beautiful and it is easy to do!
Key Notes about the Recipe
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Stand Mixer
I find that it is easier to use a stand mixer to knead the bread dough because I don’t have to knead for 5 - 10 minutes, but it is totally doable by hand.
Here is the mixer I have if you want to check it out!
Yeast
One of the things I had trouble with when I first started baking bread is getting the water temperature right for the yeast. If the water is too cold the yeast isn’t able to work. Likewise, if the water is too hot the yeast can be killed and is unusable.
If you struggle as well, I would suggest getting a kitchen thermometer. You want warm water at about 110F degrees. If you stick your finger in the water it should be warm, but not too uncomfortable.
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Easy Challah Bread
- Prep Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
- Category: bread
- Cuisine: Jewish
Description
Challah bread is a slightly sweet bread made with eggs and butter or oil. It is delicious to each on its own or with butter or to dip into your favorite dips or sauces.
Ingredients
- 1 package dry active yeast (2 ¼ tsp)
- 1 - 1 ½ cups warm water
- 4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 - 4 tablespoon sugar
- 2 tbsp butter, softened
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil/ ghee
Egg wash
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp water
- pinch salt
Instructions
- In a stand mixer, combine the warm water, yeast, and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Allow the yeast to proof and bubble for 5 - 10 minutes.
The water should be warm to the touch, not hot or the yeast will die. - After the yeast is bubbly, add the rest of the sugar, butter, eggs, and 2 cups of the flour, and salt. Using the dough hook attachment, turn the mixer on the lowest speed to combine.
- Once the dough is mostly combined add the rest of the flour and continue mixing. The dough should be soft, smooth, and firm, knead for 10 minutes on low speed. If it looks like the dough is too wet, add ¼ cup more flour. If the dough is too dry, add 2 tablespoon more of water. It's a bit harder to add more water to dry dough, however.
- After 10 minutes, remove the dough from the mixer and the dough hook and turn the dough onto the counter. Tuck the ends of the dough underneath it, to create a round ball shape. Grease the mixer bowl or a large bowl with vegetable oil/ ghee and place the dough in the bowl. Make sure to coat the top of the dough with ghee as well.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and a kitchen towel. Place in a warm spot and allow it to rest for 1 - 2 hours or until the dough has doubled in size.
- Once the dough has doubled in size, punch the dough down with your fist to release all the air out. Fold each corner of the dough over itself and flip the dough over in the bowl. Cover the bowl and allow it to rest again until it doubled in size, 30 minutes - 1 hour.
- Line a glass baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- After the second rising, turn the dough out onto the counter and divide it into 3 portions. Roll out one of the portions into a long rope, rolling from the middle of the dough outward. Repeat with the other two portions. Braid the dough, and place in the parchment paper-lined baking pan.
- Create an egg wash: 1 egg, 1 tablespoon of water, and a pinch of salt. Whisk together and use a pastry brush to brush the egg wash all over the Challah bread. Cover the Challah bread with plastic wrap and allow to sit in a warm spot until the dough has gotten puffy and pillowy looking. About 30 minutes - 1 hour.
- Preheat the oven to 375F. Once the oven is hot add the Challah bread and bake the bread until it is golden brown, about 30 minutes. Allow it to cool. Slice and enjoy!
Keywords: bread, Challah, Challah bread, Easy Challah Bread, Egg Bread, homemade bread, side dish
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