Golden Braided Challah Bread
Experience the delightful taste and beautiful presentation of this Golden Braided Challah Bread, made effortlessly with the help of your bread machine. This traditional Jewish bread, known for its rich flavor and soft, pillowy texture, is perfect for special occasions like Shabbat dinner, holidays, or simply as a treat for family and friends. By allowing the bread machine to work its magic, you can focus on shaping the dough into elegant braids and customizing it with your choice of sesame or poppy seeds for extra crunch. Serve it warm, toasted with butter, or use it for making French toast, and savor the delicious results.
N/A
Servings
190
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
active dry yeast
1 1/2 teaspoons (measured)
bread flour
2 1/2 cups (measured)
sugar
1/4 cup (measured)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (measured)
vegetable oil
7 teaspoons (measured)
egg yolks
2 (separated)
water
2/3 cup (measured)
Instructions
1
Pour the water into the bread machine pan first, followed by the egg yolks, vegetable oil, sugar, salt, and bread flour.
2
Finally, add the active dry yeast on top of the flour, ensuring that it does not touch the liquid ingredients.
3
Select the dough cycle on your bread machine and start it.
4
Once the dough cycle is complete, remove the dough from the bread machine and place it on a lightly floured surface.
5
Divide the dough into three equal parts and roll each piece into a rope approximately 9 inches long.
6
Carefully braid the three ropes together, pinching the ends to seal them.
7
Transfer the braided dough onto a greased cookie sheet, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and allow it to rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes.
8
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) during the last few minutes of rising.
9
In a small bowl, whisk together one egg yolk with a tablespoon of water until well combined, then brush this mixture over the top of the braided bread.
10
Sprinkle sesame or poppy seeds over the dough if desired.
11
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the loaf is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
12
Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack before slicing.
Nutrition Information
4.5g
Fat
30g
Carbs
3g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Golden Braided Challah Bread?
Golden Braided Challah Bread is a traditional Jewish bread known for its rich flavor and soft, pillowy texture, often prepared for Shabbat or holidays.
Can I use a bread machine for this recipe?
Yes, this recipe is designed to be made effortlessly by using a bread machine to handle the dough cycle.
What are the primary ingredients for the dough?
The dough consists of water, egg yolks, vegetable oil, sugar, salt, bread flour, and active dry yeast.
How many egg yolks are required for the dough?
The recipe requires 2 separated egg yolks for the dough mixture.
What order should ingredients be added to the bread machine?
Pour the water first, followed by egg yolks, oil, sugar, salt, and bread flour, then add the yeast on top of the flour.
Why must the yeast be added last?
The yeast should be placed on top of the flour to ensure it does not touch the liquid ingredients before the cycle starts.
Which bread machine setting should I use?
You should select and start the dough cycle on your bread machine.
What do I do after the dough cycle is complete?
Remove the dough from the machine and place it on a lightly floured surface for shaping.
How many sections should the dough be divided into?
The dough should be divided into three equal parts to create the classic braid.
How long should the dough ropes be?
Each piece of dough should be rolled into a rope approximately 9 inches long.
How do I finish the braid?
Braid the three ropes together and pinch the ends firmly to seal the loaf.
Does the braided dough need a second rise?
Yes, transfer the braid to a cookie sheet and let it rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes.
What temperature is required for baking?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) before baking.
How do I achieve a golden shine on the crust?
Brush the top of the bread with a mixture of one egg yolk whisked with a tablespoon of water before baking.
What toppings can I add to the Challah?
You can sprinkle sesame or poppy seeds over the dough for extra crunch and decoration.
How long does it take to bake?
The bread should bake for 30 to 40 minutes in a preheated oven.
How can I tell if the bread is fully cooked?
The loaf is done when it is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Should I cool the bread before eating?
Yes, it is recommended to let the bread cool on a wire rack before slicing.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains 190 calories.
How much fat is in a serving of this bread?
There is 4.5g of fat per serving.
What is the carbohydrate content?
This recipe contains 30g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much protein does this bread provide?
Each serving provides 3g of protein.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this bread is classified as vegetarian.
What type of flour is best for this recipe?
This recipe specifies using 2 1/2 cups of bread flour for the best texture.
Can I use this bread for French toast?
Yes, its soft and pillowy texture makes it perfect for making French toast.
How much sugar is in the dough?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of sugar.
How much yeast is needed?
You will need 1 1/2 teaspoons of active dry yeast.
What type of oil should I use?
The recipe requires 7 teaspoons of vegetable oil.
How much water is added to the bread machine?
You should add 2/3 cup of water.
How should I store the finished bread?
While not explicitly in instructions, the description suggests serving it warm or toasted to savor the delicious results.