A loaf of beautifully braided challah makes any occasion extra special with its subtly sweet pillow-soft interior and cluster of glorious golden buns. When you pull the loaf of bread, it comes apart easily in twists and hunks—making challah bread perfect for sharing at the dinner table.

How to Make Challah Bread: Classic Challah Recipe

Challah is a Kosher braided yeast bread that has long been a symbolic centerpiece for Jewish holidays such as Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year), Shabbat, and Purim. The simple dough is made with eggs, water, flour, yeast, and salt. The pale yellow color and rich flavor comes from the high amount of eggs used in the dough. 

Jewish food traditions are linked to religious holidays. Every Friday evening, it's challah that heralds the Sabbath. On Shabbat, the two loaves of challah are placed on festive tables represent the double-portion of manna that fell on Friday, the heavenly bread that fed Jewish people during their 40 years in the desert. The braiding of the bread represents arms intertwined, symbolizing love, truth, peace, freedom, harmony, unity and justice. 


Traditional challah recipes use eggs, white flour, water, sugar, yeast, and salt. After the first rising, the dough is rolled into rope-shaped pieces and braided into three, four, or six stranded braids. For special celebrations, such as the Jewish High Holy Days, the braided loaf can also be coiled into a circle and brushed with egg wash for a golden sheen. Challah sometimes also contains dried fruits, like raisins and cranberries.

There are a few variations on challah, like “water challah,” which is made without eggs and is [similar to a French baguette](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/classic-french-baguette-recipe-learn-how-to-make-baguettes-at-home). Present day Challah recipes may aim to be a bit healthier by replacing white flour with whole wheat or <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-bake-with-spelt-flour' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-bake-with-spelt-flour","linkCopy":"spelt flour","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>spelt flour</a> and sweetening with honey or molasses. 

1. __Classic Egg Challah__: The traditional recipe with eggs, white flour, water, sugar, yeast, and salt. It is similar to brioche in that it is a slightly sweet bread enriched with both eggs and fat, except challah uses oil instead of butter, while using more eggs that result in a pale yellow appearance.
2. __Whole Wheat__: A healthier version with a blend of all-purpose and whole wheat flour for a nuttier, earthier flavor.
3. __Seeded Challah__: Seeds folded into and sprinkled over challah before baking to give a crunchy texture. Some popular toppings include: sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, and poppy seeds.
4. __Cinnamon__: Slightly sweeter than the classic egg challah with a hint of cinnamon spice. 
5. __Chocolate__: Cocoa powder and chocolate chips are folded into challah dough for a rich chocolate dessert-like bread. 
6. __Orange__: Bright and tangy with a distinct orange aroma, these challahs are made with orange juice and grated orange zest, and pair well with raisins.
7. __Pumpkin spice__: A fall- inspired challah with a mix of pumpkin puree, cinnamon, ground ginger, and nutmeg.
8. __Cranberry__: A splash of cranberry juice and dried cranberries give challah bread a sweet and tart flavor.
9. __Peanut butter__: Smooth and creamy peanut butter is added to challah for a nutty flavor that goes well with chocolate chips.
10. __Maple__: A sweet challah has the aroma and subtle flavor of maple syrup and brown sugar.

A loaf of beautifully braided challah makes any occasion extra special with its subtly sweet pillow-soft interior and cluster of glorious golden buns. When you pull the loaf of bread, it comes apart easily in twists and hunks—making challah bread perfect for sharing at the dinner table.

Challah is a Kosher braided yeast bread that has long been a symbolic centerpiece for Jewish holidays such as Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year), Shabbat, and Purim. The simple dough is made with eggs, water, flour, yeast, and salt. The pale yellow color and rich flavor comes from the high amount of eggs used in the dough.

What Is Challah?

Jewish food traditions are linked to religious holidays. Every Friday evening, it&#39;s challah that heralds the Sabbath. On Shabbat, the two loaves of challah are placed on festive tables represent the double-portion of manna that fell on Friday, the heavenly bread that fed Jewish people during their 40 years in the desert. The braiding of the bread represents arms intertwined, symbolizing love, truth, peace, freedom, harmony, unity and justice.

What Is the Religious Significance of Challah?

Traditional challah recipes use eggs, white flour, water, sugar, yeast, and salt. After the first rising, the dough is rolled into rope-shaped pieces and braided into three, four, or six stranded braids. For special celebrations, such as the Jewish High Holy Days, the braided loaf can also be coiled into a circle and brushed with egg wash for a golden sheen. Challah sometimes also contains dried fruits, like raisins and cranberries.

How to Make Traditional Challah

There are a few variations on challah, like “water challah,” which is made without eggs and is <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/classic-french-baguette-recipe-learn-how-to-make-baguettes-at-home' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/classic-french-baguette-recipe-learn-how-to-make-baguettes-at-home","linkCopy":"similar to a French baguette","category":null}'>similar to a French baguette</a>. Present day Challah recipes may aim to be a bit healthier by replacing white flour with whole wheat or <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-bake-with-spelt-flour' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-bake-with-spelt-flour","linkCopy":"spelt flour","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>spelt flour</a> and sweetening with honey or molasses. <ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Classic Egg Challah: The traditional recipe with eggs, white flour, water, sugar, yeast, and salt. It is similar to brioche in that it is a slightly sweet bread enriched with both eggs and fat, except challah uses oil instead of butter, while using more eggs that result in a pale yellow appearance. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Whole Wheat: A healthier version with a blend of all-purpose and whole wheat flour for a nuttier, earthier flavor. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Seeded Challah: Seeds folded into and sprinkled over challah before baking to give a crunchy texture. Some popular toppings include: sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, and poppy seeds. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Cinnamon: Slightly sweeter than the classic egg challah with a hint of cinnamon spice. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Chocolate: Cocoa powder and chocolate chips are folded into challah dough for a rich chocolate dessert-like bread. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 6. Orange: Bright and tangy with a distinct orange aroma, these challahs are made with orange juice and grated orange zest, and pair well with raisins. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 7. Pumpkin spice: A fall- inspired challah with a mix of pumpkin puree, cinnamon, ground ginger, and nutmeg. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 8. Cranberry: A splash of cranberry juice and dried cranberries give challah bread a sweet and tart flavor. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 9. Peanut butter: Smooth and creamy peanut butter is added to challah for a nutty flavor that goes well with chocolate chips. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 10. Maple: A sweet challah has the aroma and subtle flavor of maple syrup and brown sugar. </li></ol>

10 Flavorful Challah Variations

Homemade Classic Challah Bread Recipe

A loaf of beautifully braided challah makes any occasion extra special with its subtly sweet pillow-soft interior and cluster of glorious golden buns. When you pull the loaf of bread, it comes apart easily in twists and hunks—making challah bread perfect for sharing at the dinner table.

A loaf of beautifully braided challah makes any occasion extra special with its subtly sweet pillow-soft interior and cluster of glorious golden buns. When you pull the loaf of bread, it comes apart easily in twists and hunks—making challah bread perfect for sharing at the dinner table.
