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Parve
Medium
3 Hours, 45 Minutes
Diets 
Challah is a rich, braided bread traditionally eaten by Jewish people during Shabbat and holiday meals and other ceremonial occasions. Baking challah with whole wheat is a great way to fit more whole grains into a traditional Jewish meal, which are often heavy. Whole wheat challahs can sometimes be less fluffy than their white-wheat counterparts, but luckily this is one recipe that breaks the mold! In this challah recipe, honey is used instead of sugar. This recipe is one of the best whole wheat challah recipes we’ve found and is really popular with Kosher.com readers.
Want to follow a step-by-step guide for making challah? Check out our guide
2 tablespoons Gefen Dry Yeast
2 cups warm water
2–3 eggs, depending on size
1/2 cup Gefen Honey
2 teaspoons salt
1/3 cup Gefen Light Olive Oil or canola oil
7–8 cups whole wheat flour
eggs, for glazing
poppy or sesame seeds
Dissolve yeast in water in a large bowl. Add eggs, honey, salt, oil, and about three and a half cups flour. Mix well, by hand or with mixer.
Add remaining flour to make a soft dough. Knead for five to ten minutes, adding more flour, if necessary. Use as little flour as possible for a lighter texture.
Let rise one and a half to two hours. Punch down. Let rise again until double.
Shape into two braided challahs. Place challahs on baking sheets. Let rise again until doubled.
Brush with beaten egg and sprinkle with poppy or sesame seeds, if desired.
Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or 375 degrees for 35 minutes, until golden brown.
Photography and Styling by Chavi Feldman
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Can this recipe be doubled without any ajdustments?
Yes, we’d keep it to three total spoons of salt.
Can you use whole spelt for this challah?
So tasty! I just added a little bit of flour but that’s ok, I really enjoyed the way it turned out. Thank you!
Heaven!!!! Dough is super ez to work with! Great texture! Challa Is heavenly delicious!
We are so happy to hear that you enjoyed working with this recipe!