There isn't anything like the smell of homemade challah when it comes to getting in the Jewish Holiday or Sabbath mood. Challah, commonly known as "Jewish egg bread" since it usually contains a large number of eggs, is traditionally eaten by Jews on the Sabbath and all Jewish holidays (except Passover). There are many different ways to prepare challah - here are three commonly known challah recipes that will be a sure addition to brighten any Shabbat table or Jewish holiday family meal.
Sweet Challah Recipe
Ingredients:
- 4 Tbsp yeast
- 2 1/2 cups sugar + 2 tsp
- 4 cups warm water
- 6 eggs
- 2/3 cup oil
- 5 lb of flour (plus another couple of cups)
- 2 Tbsp salt
Instructions:
- Dissolve yeast and 2 tsp sugar in warm water. Set aside until bubbly.
- Meanwhile, combine 5 lbs flour, 2 /12 cups sugar and salt.
- Add yeast mixture, eggs, and oil, and knead until solt. Add extra cups of flour as needed.
- Let rise for 1 hour.
- Remove a piece of dough for challah, then shape dough into loaves. Makes about 7 braided loaves.
- Brush with mixture of egg and honey.
- Let dough rise in their pans for another hour.
- Bake at 350 for about 35 minutes, then turn loaves over in the oven for another 5-10 minutes.
Healthy Challah Recipe
Ingredients:
- 3 T yeast
- 2 and 1/2 cups water
- 1 T sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup oil
- 2 T salt
- 1/4 cup wheat germ
- 10-13 cups flour, about 1/2 whole wheat and 1/2 bread flour
Instructions:
- Dissolve 1 T sugar and yeast in warm water.
- When water foams, add remaining ingredients.
- Knead for 10 minutes, then allow to rise in a greased, covered bowl one hour, or until doubled in size.
- Take challah with a blessing, then shape into loaves or rolls.
- Place in greased pans or on cookie sheets lined with parchment paper.
- Let rise for another 1/2 hour or longer, then bake. For rolls, bake at 400 for about 40 minutes or until well browned. For large loaves, bake at 375 for an hour or more or until well browned. Cook on racks.
Bread Machine Challah
Ingredients:
- 1 egg
- 1 1/2 cup water
- 1/3 cup oil
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp. salt
- 4 1/2 cups whole wheat flour, white flour or a combination of both
- 2 tsp dry yeast
Instructions:
Follow bread machine direction for dough cycle. If using whole wheat, follow whole wheat dough cycle.
Challah (or Hala) is the traditional Jewish white bread, baked especially for Shabbat or any Jewish holiday. Challah loaves are an essential part of a Shabbat table and blessing them sanctifies the holiness of Shabbat or any Jewish holiday.
Dorit Sasson - Hello! I'm an ESL instructor, teacher diversity coach and writer for the educational markets who writes on English language learners ...
