Deliciously Soft Bread Machine Challah
This luscious bread machine challah recipe yields a smaller yet flavorful loaf that captures the essence of traditional challah. With a tender crumb and a subtly sweet taste, this bread is perfect for family gatherings, holiday meals, or simply enjoying with butter. The warm aroma of fresh-baked bread will fill your kitchen, making this preparation not only delightful to eat but also a joy to make.
1
Servings
N/A
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
warm water
3/4 cup (heated to about 110°F)
large egg
1 (beaten)
margarine
3 tablespoons (cut into small pieces)
bread flour
3 cups (measured and sifted)
sugar
4 tablespoons (granulated)
salt
1 1/4 teaspoons (fine kosher salt recommended)
active dry yeast
2 teaspoons (fresh)
Instructions
1
In the bread machine pan, add the warm water, beaten egg, and margarine in the order recommended by the manufacturer.
2
Carefully layer the bread flour on top of the wet ingredients, distributing it evenly.
3
Sprinkle the sugar, salt, and active dry yeast over the flour, ensuring they do not mix immediately.
4
Select the white or sweet bread cycle on your bread machine, and start the machine.
5
Once the baking cycle is complete, wait 10 minutes before carefully removing the bread from the pan.
6
Transfer the bread onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Deliciously Soft Bread Machine Challah?
It is a flavorful loaf of bread made in a bread machine that features a tender crumb and a subtly sweet taste, capturing the essence of traditional challah.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe is designed to produce 1 loaf of bread.
What is the ideal temperature for the warm water?
The water should be heated to approximately 110 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal yeast activation.
How should the egg be prepared before adding it to the pan?
One large egg should be beaten before being placed into the bread machine pan.
How should I prepare the margarine?
The 3 tablespoons of margarine should be cut into small pieces before adding it to the wet ingredients.
What is the correct way to add bread flour to the machine?
Carefully layer the bread flour on top of the wet ingredients, ensuring it is distributed evenly.
Should the bread flour be sifted?
Yes, the 3 cups of bread flour should be both measured and sifted.
What type of yeast is required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of fresh active dry yeast.
Which bread machine setting should I use?
You should select either the white bread cycle or the sweet bread cycle on your bread machine.
How long should I wait before removing the bread from the pan?
Once the baking cycle is finished, wait 10 minutes before carefully removing the bread from the pan.
Where should the bread cool after baking?
The bread should be transferred onto a wire rack to cool completely before you attempt to slice it.
What kind of sugar is used in this challah?
The recipe requires 4 tablespoons of granulated sugar.
Is there a specific salt recommended for this bread?
Yes, fine kosher salt is recommended for this recipe.
What is the order of ingredients for the bread machine?
Start with warm water, beaten egg, and margarine, followed by the flour, and finally sprinkle the sugar, salt, and yeast on top.
Why shouldn't the dry ingredients mix with the wet ingredients immediately?
Layering the dry ingredients on top of the flour prevents the yeast from activating too early, which is crucial for the bread machine's timing.
Is this recipe suitable for beginners?
Yes, it is tagged as easy baking and is designed for the convenience of a bread machine.
What category of bread does this fall into?
This recipe is categorized under Yeast Breads.
Can this bread be used for holiday meals?
Yes, its traditional flavor and appearance make it perfect for family gatherings and holiday meals.
What is the texture of this bread?
The bread features a lusciously soft and tender crumb.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 7 total ingredients: warm water, large egg, margarine, bread flour, sugar, salt, and active dry yeast.
Can I substitute butter for margarine?
While the recipe specifies margarine cut into small pieces, butter is often used as a direct substitute in similar yeast bread recipes.
Does this recipe require a separate rising time?
No, the bread machine handles the rising and kneading process automatically during the selected cycle.
What makes the bread smell so good?
The combination of yeast, sugar, and baking flour creates a warm, fresh-baked aroma that fills the kitchen.
How much salt is needed?
The recipe requires 1 and 1/4 teaspoons of salt.
How much yeast is used?
Use 2 teaspoons of active dry yeast.
Is the loaf large or small?
This recipe yields a smaller loaf, making it ideal for a single meal or small gathering.
Can I slice the bread immediately after it comes out of the oven?
It is recommended to let it cool completely on a wire rack first to ensure the structure of the crumb sets properly.
What are the tags associated with this recipe?
The tags include challah, bread machine, yeast bread, sweet bread, easy baking, homemade bread, and traditional bread.
Is the sugar amount high for bread?
With 4 tablespoons of sugar for 3 cups of flour, this creates a 'sweet bread' profile characteristic of traditional challah.
What is the primary benefit of using a bread machine for this recipe?
It simplifies the process by automating the kneading, rising, and baking, making homemade challah accessible with minimal effort.