Esty Wolbe's Best Homemade Challah Ever

Thousands of women swear this is the best homemade challah recipe and make it for Shabbat every week. It’s just the right amount of sweetness, a soft and doughy consistency, with a rich flavor. The dough rises well and is easy to work with, not too sticky to braid. The recipe is very versatile and you can easily adapt it to your own taste and it will still come out great.

Yields 6 medium challahs

 

For more great ideas with Esty, watch Easy Does It!
Make sure to also check out our step by step guide on how to make Challah

3h 60
Medium Vegetarian Pescatarian Parve

Contains: Gluten, Wheat, Egg

Directions

Prepare the Challah

  1. (Instructions on making this easy challah recipe in a Bosch follow.) Combine dry yeast, warm water and two tablespoons sugar in a glass bowl and set aside to proof 10 minutes.

  2. In a very large bowl, combine almost all of the flour with remaining sugar and salt. Add the eggs, honey and oil. Mix well.

  3. Once the yeast is proofed, add to the flour mixture and mix until all ingredients are well incorporated. Transfer dough to working surface and knead until smooth and elastic, adding more flour as needed.

  4. Return the dough to the large bowl, cover with plastic wrap and a towel. Set aside to rise for an hour and a half in a warm, draft-free spot.

  5. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

  6. Uncover the dough and “take challah” then portion and braid your challahs. Allow to rise 10 minutes then egg wash, sprinkle toppings and bake about 45 minutes. Allow to cool completely before storing.

Bosch Instructions

  1. In the plastic bowl of your Bosch mixer, add the warm water, yeast, and two tablespoons sugar. Allow to proof, then add remaining sugar, eggs, oil and honey. Mix.

  2. Add half of the flour and the salt and mix on speed 1 until combined. Add more flour, place the lid on top and mix on speed 2 until the sides of the bowl are clean. If the dough is too wet, add a bit more flour.

  3. Turn off the mixer and allow to rest for 3 full minutes. Turn the mixer on again to speed 2 and allow to knead for 3 full minutes.

  4. Remove the dough to a large bowl, cover and rise. Proceed with baking directions as above.

Credits

Tips:
Use leftover challah dough – or set some aside – to make cinnamon buns!

Notes:
Allow to cool completely before storing.

 

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Description:

Photography and Styling by Esty Wolbe

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basic challah challah dough Cooking with Tantrums cookingwithtantrums easy does it Esty Wolbe Jewish cuisine jewish food Shabbos traditional traditional Jewish food
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What Cooks Are Saying

4.8 out of 5

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47 Comments

French Fry •
Marked as Question

Is the Tuscanini flour yoshon?

Raquel Malul Kosher.com Team •
Reply to French Fry

Yes it is!

I ❤️ kosher.com •

can i make it spelt?

Raquel Malul Kosher.com Team •
Reply to I ❤️ kosher.com

Hi! Esty has never tried her recipe with spelt. That being said, this recipe is very versatile and people have found success with many different variations. You could try it with spelt, however, you may have to adjust the amount of water.

I ❤️ kosher.com •
Reply to Raquel Malul

Thanx

GB •

Joining the fan club!
This recipe is just amazing. Kneading by hand was fun - not impossible!
The dough was easy to work with and tasted delicious.
I used white spelt flour, same amounts, though I may have added a bit more while kneading as it was quite sticky :)
Thanks for the video guide!

Judith Wexler •

Would this work with 100% spelt flour?

Raquel Malul Kosher.com Team •
Reply to Judith Wexler

Hi Judith! Esty has never tried her recipe with spelt. That being said, this recipe is very versatile and people have found success with many different variations. You could try it with spelt, however, you may have to adjust the amount of water.

Steph Po •

How many cups is in 5 lbs bag of flour? I buy big bags of flour so I would scoop it out.

Avigael Levi Kosher.com Team •
Reply to Steph Po

It should be about 18-19 cups.