Challah is a fancy looking sweet bread that is really easy to make and delicious.
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For Christmas about 15 years ago, my sister was given a bread machine (she’d asked for it).
We took it up to Sunshine Beach on holidays with us, eager to make the first loaf.
We (ok Mum) followed the instructions, putting all the ingredients in and setting the timer so we would awake to the smell of fresh bread.
At about 4am we awoke to what we thought was the world ending there was such an almighty roaring noise coming from the kitchen.
Little did we know, bread machines and sleeping are not two things that go together.
This thing made enough noise to wake everyone in the building.
I do remember Mum making us some pretty amazing loaves (and a door stop or two) with the machine but I don’t think it was used much after those holidays.
About 10 years later when I moved out of home I took it with me (I think my sister had forgotten she owned it) and made a few loaves before discovering how easy it is to make bread without one.
Honestly, you don’t need one.
If I could convince people of one thing it would be how easy and fun making your own bread is.
A few years ago, I thought if everyone buys their bread and there are so many bakeries around, bread making must be too difficult which I assume is what most people think.
It’s not.
Take this plaited Challah bread.
I would say that even if you have never made bread before, as long as your yeast isn’t stale and you can measure out the ingredients, you can make this.
Challah to me is a cross between croissant and normal bread.
Yes that means it’s quite delicious warm and spread with butter and jam.
I’m not sure if that’s how it’s meant to be eaten but that’s what I did.
The original recipe is for the bread machine but since I’m out to convince you you don’t need one, I adapted it for the electric mixer (but you could just knead by hand).
Now don’t be daunted by the fancy shape. It’s not difficult at all. Just follow my pseudo photo instructions.
Please give it a go. If you do, I’d love to see a photo. In fact if you ever make any of my recipes I’d love it if you’d share them on Facebook or Instagram (tag @clairekcreations). Enjoy!
Recipe
Challah
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup raw sugar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ½ cup olive oil
- 2 ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 2 free-range eggs room temperature, beaten
- 5 cups baker’s flour
- 2 ¼ teaspoon dried yeast
- Milk for brushing
- Poppy seeds for sprinkling optional
Instructions
- Place the water, sugar, honey, oil, salt, eggs, flour and yeast in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the dough hook.
- Starting on the lowest speed, combine all the ingredients then increase the speed to knead.
- Knead for 5 minutes or until the dough is smooth and elastic. If it is a little sticky, add extra flour one tablespoon at a time.
- Oil a large bowl.
- Shape the kneaded dough into a ball and place it in the oiled bowl then cover it and set aside until doubled in size (about 2 hours in my kitchen).
- Flour the bench and turn the risen dough out of the bowl.
- Punch it down and cut in half.
- Set one half aside and divide the remaining half into three equal pieces.
- Shape each piece into a long rope.
- Connect the three pieces at one end, furthest away from you by squishing them all together and then plait the pieces together. To do this, take the outer right rope and place it over the middle one, then take the outer left rope and place it over the middle, repeating until you get to the end then squish it all together.
- Place the plait into a lined baking tray and tuck the ends over.
- Repeat with the remaining dough then cover the tray with plastic wrap and set aside until almost doubled in size (about 1-2 hours).
- Pre-heat the oven to 160C fan-forced.
- Brush the risen loaves with milk (or a beaten egg mixed with a little water) and sprinkle with poppy seeds if using.
- Bake for 25 minutes or until golden then transfer to a wire rack.
- Best eaten warm or toasted.
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
That challah is almost too pretty to eat. Nothing is ever too pretty to eat, but this is almost there. :)
Claire says
Haha yes I agree that nothing it too pretty to eat.
Barbara @ Barbara Bakes says
What a gorgeous loaf. I love the golden color.
Claire says
It's a pretty bread isn't it?
Leigh says
Just gorgeous Claire, and I wouldn't expect anything less from your blog. Love your story too!
Claire says
Aww shucks thanks Leigh!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
They should definitely make a setting where you can sleep in and eat it when you get up. I hate machines that make excessive beeps (my microwave for example).
Claire says
Oh yes the microwave beeping every minute because you haven't gone in to turn it off drives me nuts!
Stephanie at Dessert before Dinner says
I love challah so much, and your bread looks beautiful. My parents used to have a bread machine but it was never used. Making bread by hand is just so much more enjoyable and satisfying.
Claire says
Isn't it Stephanie? I think it tastes better too but only because of the bit of extra effort.
Amanda E says
That is a gorgeous braid - I make challah a few times a year but generally cheat and do a circle as my braids always look dreadful. Fantastic SRC pick
Claire says
I'm sure it's still beautiful!
Erin @ Making Memories says
Oh my gosh, your bread is beautiful! Amazing!
Claire says
Thanks Erin!
sara says
Oooh, I love challah...one of my all-time favorite breads, so good! :)
Also - I had your blog this month and made your Asian chicken noodle soup. It was super tasty and the perfect thing for my fiance who got really sick this month. Thanks for helping us warm up! :)
Claire says
You're very welcome Sara. I'm glad you liked it!
danielle says
Im so glad you liked my recipe - and share my love of bread making :) Your loaves look awesome!
Claire says
It's just so much fun isn't it? Thanks for a delicious recipe!
avril says
Such a beautiful, beautiful Challah you made!! Making bread with your own hands is truly the best....although I have been known to bring out my bread maker too when making bread :-) Fantastic pick for this month SRC reveal! :-)
Claire says
It really is isn't it? I just find it so much fun.
Helen at Casa Costello says
Wow that is a beautiful plait - I'm so pleased to hear that bread is just as good without a machine as I don't own one! #secretrecipeclub
Claire says
Yep just as good Helen. I think it's better without one. Another bonus... you can vary the shape of bread.
Wendy says
Hi Claire
Is the rest of the recipe somewher else and I can't see it - or has it fallen off the page?? :)
Claire says
Woops! Seems it got cut off somehow. It's there now. Sorry about that!
Carolyn says
Claire, maybe a dumb question, but what temperature and for how long does this Challah need to bake. Thanks for great recipes and entertaining blog posts.
Claire says
Oops. Not a dumb question at all. I must have accidentally deleted it! It's all there now. Thanks Carolyn. Claire
Carolyn says
Thanks . Hope to make it tomorrow.
Claire says
I'd love to see a photo if you do Carolyn!
Lisa says
That challah is a thing of beauty!
Claire says
Thanks Lisa!