Challah is a fancy looking sweet bread that is really easy to make and delicious.

Challah

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.

Bread making is easy

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.

How to make Challah via www.clairekcreations.com

The original recipe is for thebread 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!

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Challah

Name: Challah
Prep time: 5 h
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 5 h 25 min
Yield: 2
Ingredients: 1 cup water; 1/2 cup raw sugar; 1 tbsp honey; 1/2 cup olive oil; 2 1/2 tsp sea salt; 2 free-range eggs, room temperature, beaten; 5 cups baker’s flour; 2 1/4 tsp dried yeast; Milk for brushing; Poppy seeds for sprinkling (optional)

Yield: 2 loaves

Prep Time: 5 hours

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 5 hours 25 minutes

Ingredients

1 cup water
1/2 cup raw sugar
1 tbsp honey
1/2 cup olive oil
2 1/2 tsp sea salt
2 free-range eggs, room temperature, beaten
5 cups baker’s flour
2 1/4 tsp 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.

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About Claire Cameron

Claire Cameron

Nutrition and Wellness Coach, mum of 3 and creator of Claire K Creations, Claire Cameron is passionate about simplifying natural living for busy families.

Through good food, natural products & simple living she'll help you achieve better health and a happier planet in a quick, easy & affordable (but not hippie!) way.

Don't forget to grab your free eBook 12 Ingredients, 11 Recipes.

If you make this recipe, don't forget to share it and tag me @clairekcreations

30 Comments

Maureen | Orgasmic Chef on March 10, 2015 at 10.26 pm
That challah is almost too pretty to eat. Nothing is ever too pretty to eat, but this is almost there. :)
- Claire on March 11, 2015 at 8.48 pm
  Haha yes I agree that nothing it too pretty to eat.
Barbara @ Barbara Bakes on March 4, 2015 at 12.19 pm
What a gorgeous loaf. I love the golden color.
- Claire on March 4, 2015 at 4.21 pm
  It’s a pretty bread isn’t it?
Leigh on March 4, 2015 at 11.11 am
Just gorgeous Claire, and I wouldn’t expect anything less from your blog. Love your story too!
- Claire on March 4, 2015 at 4.21 pm
  Aww shucks thanks Leigh!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on March 4, 2015 at 3.02 am
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 on March 4, 2015 at 6.41 am
  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 on March 3, 2015 at 11.11 am
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 on March 3, 2015 at 9.09 pm
  Isn’t it Stephanie? I think it tastes better too but only because of the bit of extra effort.
Amanda E on March 3, 2015 at 8.26 am
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 on March 3, 2015 at 9.09 pm
  I’m sure it’s still beautiful!
Erin @ Making Memories on March 3, 2015 at 5.07 am
Oh my gosh, your bread is beautiful! Amazing!
- Claire on March 3, 2015 at 6.39 am
  Thanks Erin!
sara on March 3, 2015 at 1.22 am
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 on March 3, 2015 at 6.40 am
  You’re very welcome Sara. I’m glad you liked it!
danielle on March 2, 2015 at 10.30 pm
Im so glad you liked my recipe – and share my love of bread making :) Your loaves look awesome!
- Claire on March 3, 2015 at 6.40 am
  It’s just so much fun isn’t it? Thanks for a delicious recipe!
avril on March 2, 2015 at 9.57 pm
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 on March 3, 2015 at 6.40 am
  It really is isn’t it? I just find it so much fun.
Helen at Casa Costello on March 2, 2015 at 7.36 pm
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 on March 2, 2015 at 8.30 pm
  Yep just as good Helen. I think it’s better without one. Another bonus… you can vary the shape of bread.
Wendy on March 2, 2015 at 4.27 pm
Hi Claire
Is the rest of the recipe somewher else and I can’t see it – or has it fallen off the page?? :)
- Claire on March 2, 2015 at 8.31 pm
  Woops! Seems it got cut off somehow. It’s there now. Sorry about that!
Carolyn on March 2, 2015 at 3.49 pm
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 on March 2, 2015 at 8.32 pm
  Oops. Not a dumb question at all. I must have accidentally deleted it! It’s all there now. Thanks Carolyn. Claire
- Carolyn on March 3, 2015 at 1.56 am
  Thanks . Hope to make it tomorrow.
- Claire on March 3, 2015 at 6.39 am
  I’d love to see a photo if you do Carolyn!
Lisa on March 2, 2015 at 3.09 pm
That challah is a thing of beauty!
- Claire on March 2, 2015 at 8.32 pm
  Thanks Lisa!

Challah

Challah

Bread making is easy

Ingredients

Instructions

30 Comments

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