A traditional challah loaf is a slightly sweet, braided egg bread that originated from Jewish traditions. It is often enjoyed during ceremonial occasions like Shabbat and major Jewish holidays. Hanukkah, a festive holiday observed for eight nights and days, is a perfect time to savor the flavors of challah bread.

Challah bread is not exclusive to Hanukkah, but it is a delightful addition to the holiday meals. You can also use challah to make a delicious brisket sandwich! As Molly Yeh said, “I like my challah like I like my toothbrush: super soft and all to myself.”

The History of Challah

As someone who worked at a private Jewish school, I had the privilege of taking home a loaf of challah every Friday. While I may not be Jewish, it was still a special treat for me. If you want to learn more about the history of challah, you can visit this website.

🛒 Ingredients to Make Traditional Challah

To make traditional challah, you will need the following ingredients:

• Warm water
• Rapid Rise instant yeast
• Honey
• Vegetable oil
• Egg
• Egg yolks
• All-purpose flour
• Sesame seeds

✏️ How to Make Traditional Challah

Follow these simple steps to make a delicious loaf of traditional challah:

1. In a large bowl, sprinkle the yeast over warm water and let it sit until it begins to foam. Beat in the flour gradually, transitioning to kneading with your hands. Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic. Cover with a clean towel and let it rise until doubled in size.
2. Punch down the dough and divide it into thirds. Roll each piece into a long snake and braid them together to form a loaf. Transfer the braided loaf to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and let it rise again.
3. Preheat the oven and beat the egg wash (egg and honey). Brush the risen bread with the egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
4. Bake the challah for a perfect golden-brown crust. Let it cool before slicing and serving.

➡️ Tips and Substitutions

Here are some helpful tips and substitutions for making the perfect traditional challah:

• Ensure the dough is divided into three equal parts for even braiding.
• If you prefer, you can omit the sesame seeds.
• Keep an eye on the bread while baking and cover it with foil if it starts to brown too quickly.

★ How to Store Challah

To store your challah bread, you can wrap it tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap and keep it in the refrigerator for up to seven days. It can also be frozen for up to two months.

❤️ What Makes This Recipe Special

Here are a few reasons why this traditional challah recipe is so beloved:

• This bread is delicious and can be enjoyed on its own.
• It makes for incredible French toast.
• It brings back fond memories of my time working at a Jewish school and learning about the religion and its traditions.

Fun Facts About Challah

Here are some interesting facts about challah that you might find fascinating:

• The three braids in the bread symbolize truth, peace, and justice, while the intertwined shape represents love.
• During the 1400s in Germany, braided breads using white flour became popular, as they stayed fresher for longer.
• Challah is an enriched white yeasted bread traditionally eaten on the Jewish Sabbath, which begins on Friday at sunset and ends after dark on Saturday.
• The name “challah” comes from the Hebrew word used in the biblical commandment to give a portion of the dough to God throughout generations.
• It is customary for an elder or a rabbi to say a prayer blessing the challah, then cutting it and taking a bite. The bread is then cut into pieces for everyone to share.

A Recipe Worth Trying: Traditional Challah Bread

Yield: One loaf | Prep Time: 30 minutes | Cook Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour

Ingredients

Dough:

• 1 1/4 cups warm water (110 degrees F)
• One .25 ounce envelope Rapid Rise instant yeast
• 1/2 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 large egg
• 3 large egg yolks
• 1/2 tablespoon salt
• 4 cups all-purpose flour

Egg Wash:

• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon honey

Topping:

• 1/2 tablespoon sesame seeds

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, sprinkle the yeast over warm water and let it sit until it begins to foam. Beat in the flour gradually, transitioning to kneading with your hands. Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic. Cover with a clean towel and let it rise until doubled in size.
2. Punch down the dough and turn it out onto a floured board. Knead for 5 minutes, adding more flour as needed to prevent stickiness. Divide the dough into thirds and roll each piece into long snakes. Pinch the ends together and braid them into a loaf. Transfer the braided loaf to a parchment-lined baking sheet and let it rise again.
3. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
4. Beat the egg wash (egg and honey) and brush it over the risen bread. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.
5. Bake for 20 minutes, then cover loosely with foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes. The bread should sound hollow when thumped on the bottom. Allow it to cool for at least one hour before slicing.

Nutrition Information: Yield: 8 | Serving Size: 2 slices

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 387 | Total Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0g | Unsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 139mg | Sodium: 446mg | Carbohydrates: 68g | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 20g | Protein: 11g

(Note: The nutritional information provided is an estimate and may not be 100% accurate.)

Whether you’re celebrating Hanukkah or simply want to enjoy a delicious and symbolic loaf of bread, traditional challah is a fantastic treat. Its softness and unique flavors make it a delightful addition to any special occasion. So go ahead, try making your own traditional challah bread and step into a world of rich Jewish traditions and flavors.