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 and we were all 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.
Danielle from Mostly Foods and Crafts says this is her favourite bread and I can see why. I was assigned to her blog for this month’s Secret Recipe Club. Funnily enough, I wrote this post then went back and read Danielle’s post only to see that she too wants to show people how easy bread-making is.
Her mother said she could never make bread – that was until Danielle showed her how and she changed her mind. Her niece was pretty proud of the first loaf they made together too. She has quite a few delicious looking bread recipes on her blog.
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!
Challah
Ingredients
Instructions
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That challah is almost too pretty to eat. Nothing is ever too pretty to eat, but this is almost there. :)
Haha yes I agree that nothing it too pretty to eat.
What a gorgeous loaf. I love the golden color.
It’s a pretty bread isn’t it?
Just gorgeous Claire, and I wouldn’t expect anything less from your blog. Love your story too!
Aww shucks thanks Leigh!
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).
Oh yes the microwave beeping every minute because you haven’t gone in to turn it off drives me nuts!
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.
Isn’t it Stephanie? I think it tastes better too but only because of the bit of extra effort.
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
I’m sure it’s still beautiful!
Oh my gosh, your bread is beautiful! Amazing!
Thanks Erin!
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! :)
You’re very welcome Sara. I’m glad you liked it!
Im so glad you liked my recipe – and share my love of bread making :) Your loaves look awesome!
It’s just so much fun isn’t it? Thanks for a delicious recipe!
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! :-)
It really is isn’t it? I just find it so much fun.
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
Yep just as good Helen. I think it’s better without one. Another bonus… you can vary the shape of bread.
Hi Claire
Is the rest of the recipe somewher else and I can’t see it – or has it fallen off the page?? :)
Woops! Seems it got cut off somehow. It’s there now. Sorry about that!
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.
Oops. Not a dumb question at all. I must have accidentally deleted it! It’s all there now. Thanks Carolyn. Claire
Thanks . Hope to make it tomorrow.
I’d love to see a photo if you do Carolyn!
That challah is a thing of beauty!
Thanks Lisa!