Forktionary

Challah Bread Recipe

Indulge in the irresistible aroma and taste of homemade Challah bread! This recipe yields a deliciously sweet, soft, and rich loaf, perfect for sandwiches or simply enjoyed on its own. Its subtly sweet flavor and tender crumb make it a crowd-pleaser, keeping beautifully for days. Learn how to make this classic braided bread with our easy-to-follow instructions.

Prep Time 30 mins
Cook Time 200 mins
Calories 117.6 kcal
Protein 5g
Rating 5.0 (2 Reviews)
Challah Bread 26

Recipe Actions

Share this recipe:

Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Challah Bread

Cook Smarter with Sous, Your Kitchen Companion

Missing an ingredient for this Challah Bread? Need a perfect wine pairing or a healthy side dish idea? Don't guess—ask Sous! Your AI-powered sous-chef is ready to help you swap ingredients, adjust serving sizes, and discover flavor tips in seconds.

How to Make Challah Bread

  1. Pour 1 cup (240ml) warm water into a large bowl.
  2. Add 2 teaspoons of granulated sugar to the warm water and stir until dissolved. Sprinkle 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast over the sugar water. Let stand for 10 minutes until foamy.
  3. Add 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour to the yeast mixture and stir until a thick slurry forms.
  4. Stir in 1 large egg, 1/4 cup (60ml) olive oil, and 1 teaspoon salt until well combined.
  5. Gradually add 3-3 1/2 cups (375-437.5g) all-purpose flour, one cup at a time, mixing until a slightly sticky dough forms. If needed, add more flour until dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
  6. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  7. Place the dough in a lightly oiled large bowl, turning to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 1 1/2 hours, or until doubled in size.
  8. Gently punch down the dough. Divide the dough in half. Then divide each half into three equal pieces.
  9. Braid each set of three dough pieces to form two loaves. Place the braided loaves on a greased baking sheet or baking stone.
  10. Cover the loaves loosely with plastic wrap and let rise for another 45 minutes, or until almost doubled in size.
  11. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) about 15 minutes before the end of the second rise.
  12. Brush the loaves with an egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water), and sprinkle with sesame seeds (optional).
  13. Bake for 22-25 minutes, or until golden brown and the loaves sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
  14. Let the loaves cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

5 g

Sugar

10g

Fat

2g

Carbs

6g

Recipe Categories (Choose a category and find related recipes!)

Sweets & Sides Desserts European American Vegetarian Holiday Recipes Baking

Recipe Tags (Choose a tag and find related recipes!)

Time To Make Course Preparation For Large Groups Healthy Breads Dietary Yeast Number Of Servings 4 Hours Or Less