Description
Soft And Buttery Challah Bread is a rich, lightly sweet braided bread with a golden crust and a fluffy, tender crumb. This homemade challah bread recipe is perfect for brunch, holidays, family dinners, and even French toast, making it a beautiful and versatile yeast bread to bake from scratch.
Ingredients
4 to 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 cup warm water
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon sesame seeds or poppy seeds optional
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, stir together the warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy.
2. Add the eggs, vegetable oil, and salt, then whisk until well combined.
3. Gradually mix in the flour, one cup at a time, until a soft dough forms.
4. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
5. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 to 2 hours until doubled in size.
6. Punch the dough down gently and divide it into 3 or 4 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rope and braid them together. Tuck the ends underneath.
7. Transfer the braided loaf to a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover loosely, and let it rise again for 30 to 45 minutes.
8. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Whisk the egg yolk with 1 tablespoon water and brush it over the loaf. Sprinkle with sesame seeds or poppy seeds if using.
9. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until deep golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped underneath.
10. Let the bread cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.
Notes
For the softest texture, avoid adding too much extra flour while kneading. The dough should feel slightly tacky, not dry.
If the top starts browning too quickly in the oven, loosely cover it with foil during the last few minutes of baking.
This bread freezes well, so slice leftovers and store them in a freezer-safe bag for quick breakfasts and easy French toast later.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Jewish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 265
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 260mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 48mg