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Challah bread with a four slices on a brown paper on top of a wooden board. Pink napkin underneath. Few raisins on the side.
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HOW TO MAKE CHALLAH BREAD RECIPE

This easy-to-make Challah Bread will become your next favorite thing to bake. It's light, versatile, and freezer-friendly. It makes the best French Toast or Bread Pudding!
Course Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine International
Keyword challah, challah bread
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Servings 1 Challah Bread
Author Milena M

Ingredients

  • 7 g Instant Yeast
  • 60 ml Warm water 1/4 cup
  • 40 g Honey 2 tbsp
  • 312 g Bread Flour or AP Flour 2.5 cups
  • 1/2 t Salt
  • 3 Eggs room remperature
  • 50 ml Vegitable Oil or melted butter
  • 1/3 c Raisins - golden or mix Optional

Egg Wash

  • 1 Egg
  • 1 tbsp Water

Toppings

  • 2 t Sesame seeds or Poppy seeds Optional

Instructions

  • Add instant yeast, water, and honey into a large bowl. Let it sit for a few minutes for the yeast to activate.
  • When the yeast is foamy sift in the flour. Add salt, eggs, and oil. Mix till everything comes together. Then transfer to a flat surface and knead till it's smooth, soft, and a bit sticky but holds a ball shape. If it's too steaky when kneading you can add flour a little at a time.
  • Transfer to a pre-oiled bowl and cover with a towel. Let it rise two, three times its size. That can take up to an hour or longer, depending on the room temperature.
  • Once the dough has risen transfer it to a lightly floured table. Divide it into as many pieces as you would like to (depending on the braid you want to make). In this case, I made 4 pieces.
  • Make each braid about 12″(31cm) long and 11/4″-1.5″(3cm) thick.
  • Braid the Challah (see video), transfer to a baking tray lined with parchment paper, cover with a towel and let it rise for about an hour.
  • Pre-heat the oven to 350F(180C) 20-30 minutes before baking.
  • Before transferring the challah to the oven, make the egg wash. Wisk the egg and the water together.
  • Brush the Challah bread with the egg wash. Sprinkle with seeds of your choice, if using any. Save the rest of the egg wash for a second brush.
  • Bake for about 35 minutes, depending on your oven. In the last 10-15min, brush one more time with the egg wash. When the top is brown and a toothpick comes out clean the bread is ready.
  • Let it cool for a few minutes before enjoying.