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Baking

Naomi TGIS Shares 4 Sweet Challah Toppings For Rosh Hashanah

Naomi Elberg August 19, 2021

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Round challahs are a staple on Rosh Hashanah. But in recent years, adding fun, flavorful, sweet toppings to your challah has also become a must. Instead of going with the classic flour, sugar, oil combo, I’ve created four toppings that my friends and family go crazy for, and I KNOW you will too.

There’s a topping for everyone, including Cookies and Cream, Honey Crumb, Pomegranate Crumb, and Apple & Oat.

Each flavor is completely irresistible and will make your challahs hands-down the best you’ve tasted!

Enjoy and Shana Tova!

 

1. Cookies ‘N Cream Crumb:

A year-round favorite. The basic vanilla crumb recipe is super versatile and anything can be added in. Substitute one teaspoon vanilla bean paste for the vanilla sugar for gorgeous vanilla bean flecks. You can add some mini chocolate chips into the crumbs as well, if you like, for a chocolate chip-cookies ’n cream twist. 

                                                                                                                   

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup flour 
  • 1 cup granulated white sugar 
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla sugar 
  • 6 to 8 tablespoons cold, cubed unsalted margarine (stick) or 6 tablespoons neutral unflavored oil (personally, I find oil doesn’t adhere to the challah as well as margarine-based crumbs) 
  • 3 to 4 crushed chocolate sandwich-style cookies 

Directions:
1. Stir together flour and sugar. 
2. Add cold, cubed margarine. Mix together using the tips of your fingers. Wearing gloves helps prevent the margarine from melting when you’re handling it.
3. Mix until crumbly, similar to the consistency of wet sand;  it should clump together when squeezed. Add crushed cookies and mix gently to combine.

4. Egg challah and then top with crumbs prior to baking. 

2. Honey Crumb:

Perfect for Rosh Hashanah and the chagim. Granulated honey is honey that has been dried and ground (sometimes mixed with sugar) The honey retains the same flavor but has a crunchy quality to it which makes it perfect for this topping. You can purchase granulated honey on Amazon.

                                  

Ingredients: 

  • 1/2 cup granulated white sugar 
  • 1/2 cup granulated honey
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour 
  • 1 stick (8 tablespoons) cold, cubed unsalted margarine 
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla sugar or 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
  • Honey for drizzling

Directions:
1. Stir together flour and sugar. 
2. Add cold, cubed margarine. Mix together using the tips of your fingers. Wearing gloves helps prevent the margarine from melting when you’re handling it.
3. Mix until crumbly, similar to the consistency of wet sand; it should clump together when squeezed.

4. Egg challah; top with crumbs and then drizzle with honey prior to baking. 

3. Pomegranate Crumb (2 Ways):

Pomegranate powder is derived from dried and finely ground pomegranate seeds. After the pomegranate seeds have been ground, they are freeze-dried and preserved raw and are a perfect addition to this lineup of crumbs. You can adjust the amount of pomegranate powder you use depending on your personal preference. Pomegranate powder is naturally tart.

Alternatively, you can use store-bought or homemade grenadine syrup, which is made from pomegranate juice, sugar, and lemon juice which create the perfect balance of tart and sweet.

                                                                                                              

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup sugar 
  • 1 cup flour 
  • 2 to 4 tablespoons freeze-dried pomegranate powder 
  • 1 and 1/2 teaspoons to 3 teaspoons vanilla sugar (optional) 
  • 6 tablespoons cold, cubed, unsalted margarine

Or 

  • 1 cup sugar 
  • 1 cup flour 
  • 4 tablespoons grenadine syrup
  • 4 tablespoons canola oil (or as needed)

Directions:
1. Stir together flour and sugar. 
2. Add cold, cubed margarine or oil. Mix together using the tips of your fingers until crumbly – similar to the consistency of wet sand; it should clump together when squeezed. 
3. Egg challah and then top with crumbs prior to baking. 

4. Apple & Oat Crumb:

A slightly crunchy, sweet dessert-like topping comes together quickly and easily. I like to add a mix of apple juice concentrate and oil which helps keep the crumble moist as it bakes (you can use apple pie spice if you like as well instead of the cinnamon). 

                                                                                                                

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar or 6 tablespoons light brown sugar and 6 tablespoons dark brown sugar 
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 4 tablespoons oil 
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons (or more) frozen apple juice concentrate; defrosted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or 1 and 1/2 teaspoons vanilla sugar 
  • 3/4 cup old fashioned rolled oats

Directions: 

1. Mix everything together. 

2. Egg challah and then top with crumbs prior to baking.

There you have it! 4 delicious sweet crumb challah toppings for your challot this Rosh Hashanah!

If you make any of these recipes don’t forget to snap a picture of your creation and tag @naomi_tgis and @kosherdotcom on Instagram!