---
title: "Challah"
section: recipes
description: "Traditional challah recipe with simple steps: mix yeast, water, flour, salt, honey, oil, eggs; knead, proof, braid, rise, brush with egg."
tags: ["bread", "baking", "challah", "jewish", "braiding", "egg", "honey"]
created: 2020-10-12T11:31:00Z
updated: 2026-07-29T21:06:14Z
cid: bafkreibnkwqm5llg6quhda7iydzaniateayec5qt22cpnbj4ikr44gbcfy
html: https://iammatthias.com/recipes/1602505860000-challah
---

# Challah

```recipe
yield: "1 loaf (serves 8–10)"
time: "35 min active · 3 h total"

ingredients:
  - { id: water, item: "water", amount: "1 cup", note: "room temperature" }
  - { id: yeast, item: "yeast", amount: "1 packet" }
  - { id: honey-or-sugar, item: "honey or sugar", amount: "¼ cup" }
  - { id: flour, item: "flour", amount: "4 cups" }
  - { id: salt, item: "salt", amount: "2 tsp" }
  - { id: eggs, item: "eggs", amount: "2 + 1 yolk" }
  - { id: oil, item: "oil", amount: "¼ cup", note: "canola or coconut" }

steps:
  - id: s1
    in: [water, yeast, honey-or-sugar]
    do: "1 cup water"
    for: "5–10 min"
    detail: "In a bowl of a stand mixer, or just a bowl: 1 cup water, 1 packet of yeast (or about 2.5 tsp) and a bit of sugar. Let sit until foamy."
  - id: s2
    in: [s1, flour, salt, eggs, oil]
    do: "mix flour and salt"
    for: "5 min"
    detail: "In a separate bowl, mix flour and salt. Once yeast and water is foamy, mix in flour + salt, honey (or sugar), oil, and eggs."
  - id: s3
    in: [s2]
    do: "mix / knead"
    for: "1 h"
    detail: "Mix / knead for 8-10 minutes. Let proof for 1 hour."
  - id: s4
    in: [s3]
    do: "punch down and divide"
    detail: "After proofing, punch down and divide into 4 equal pieces. Roll the pieces into ropes. Braid - traditionally challah is round in the fall around Rosh Hashanah, but braiding a normal loaf is fine."
  - id: s5
    in: [s4]
    do: "let braided loaf rise"
    for: "30–45 min"
    detail: "Let braided loaf rise for 30-45 minutes. Coat loaf in an egg wash: egg, water, and honey."
  - id: s6
    in: [s5]
    do: "bake for 30-35 minutes"
    for: "30–35 min"
    detail: "Bake for 30-35 minutes at 350°F. Enjoy."
```

---

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