Challah

This is a single loaf adaptation of a traditional Jewish Challah which works well for a small household and can be mixed more easily in a stand mixer. You can find different braiding variations from @challahprince on Instagram.

photo of completed recipe: This is a single loaf adaptation of a traditional Jewish Challah which works well for a small household and can be mixed more easily in a stand mixer. You…
  • You'll be eating in: 24 hours, including an overnight fridge rise.

  • Active time: 25 minutes

  • Yield: 1 loaf challah

Ingredients

For the bread:

  • 6

    grams instant yeast

  • 200

    grams lukewarm water

  • 44

    grams olive or vegetable oil, plus more for greasing the bowl

  • 2

    large eggs

  • 10

    grams granulated sugar

  • 7

    grams salt

  • 500

    grams all-purpose flour

For the egg wash:

  • 1

    egg

  • 1

    teaspoon water

Instructions

  1. Mix the dough

    Combine all of the ingredients (except the egg wash) in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment. Mix on low speed until combined. Increase speed to medium (6) and knead for 10 minutes.

  2. Bulk ferment

    Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let ferment in the fridge overnight. The dough should double in size. Remove from the fridge about 1 hour before braiding.

  3. Braid

    Split dough into 6 equal pieces (153 grams each) and shape into rough balls. Let sit for 10 minutes. Roll each ball into foot-long strands. Use these instructions to braid the pieces.

  4. 1st egg wash

    Mix together the remaining egg and 1 teaspoon water. Brush the bread with the egg wash before the second rise.

  5. Rise

    Let the loaf rise again until puffy, about 90 minutes but maybe shorter or longer depending on the temperature of your room (bread will rise faster in hot rooms and slower in cold rooms). Test it by poking your bread - if the indent doesn't immediately spring back the bread is prooved enough. Preheat the oven to 375°.

  6. 2nd egg wash

    Brush the bread with the egg wash again.

  7. Bake

    Bake at 375° for 35-40 minutes until the bread is dark golden brown and the internal temperature reads 190° with an instant read thermometer.

Print this recipe


Leave a review

Will never be shared, only used to respond.
Optional. Displayed in public comments.
Describe what worked! What didn't? What did you change (if anything)?
cancel

If you have a non-review question about the recipe or anything else, you can send me a message here.

© 2024 Kelley Cooks. Built with ❤️ by Kelley