Honey Glazed Sweet Challah Bread
This delectable Honey Glazed Sweet Challah Bread is a labor of love inspired by a memorable encounter with store-bought challah. Its rich, slightly sweet flavor and gorgeous braided appearance make it the perfect centerpiece for any gathering. The soft, pillowy texture is captivating, enhanced by a glossy egg wash and fragrant hints of honey. Ideal for breakfast, toasting, or even creating delightful bread pudding, this recipe will become a cherished staple in your baking repertoire. Enjoy the process and share the delight of freshly baked challah with family and friends!
2
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Luke warm water
1 cup
Honey
1/4 cup
Active dry yeast
1 package
Bread flour
1 cup
Olive oil
1/4 cup
Whole egg
1
Egg yolks
4
Kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoons ((you can use a different salt))
Sugar
2/3 cup
Bread flour
2 1/2-3 cups ((for kneading))
Egg
1 ((for egg wash))
Water
1 tablespoon ((for egg wash))
Cinnamon sugar or cheese
to taste ((for optional topping))
Instructions
1
In a large mixing bowl, combine the lukewarm water, honey, and active dry yeast. Allow this mixture to stand for 5 minutes until it becomes frothy.
2
Stir in 1 cup of bread flour and cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes to develop.
3
After the 30 minutes, mix in the olive oil, whole egg, and egg yolks until thoroughly combined.
4
Add the kosher salt, sugar, and the remaining flour (2 1/2 to 3 cups) gradually until a sticky dough forms.
5
Transfer the dough to a well-floured surface and knead for approximately 10 minutes, adding additional flour as needed until the dough is smooth and elastic.
6
Place the dough in a greased mixing bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
7
After the first rise, place the dough in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours, or overnight, to develop flavor.
8
Once chilled, turn the dough out onto a corn-mealed surface and divide it into two equal portions.
9
Shape and braid the two pieces of dough, then place them in greased loaf pans or shape them into a circular loaf as desired.
10
Allow the dough to rise for an additional hour while preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C).
11
In a small bowl, whisk together 1 egg and 1 tablespoon of water for the egg wash. Brush the dough with this mixture twice for a beautiful glossy finish.
12
Optionally, sprinkle cinnamon sugar or cheese on top of the dough before baking.
13
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, covering with foil if they start to brown too quickly.
14
Once baked, remove the loaves from the oven. For soft crusts, wrap them in plastic bags, or let them cool on wire racks for a crisp crust.
15
Serve as desired or enjoy fresh out of the oven!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Honey Glazed Sweet Challah Bread?
It is a rich, slightly sweet braided bread with a soft, pillowy texture and a glossy finish, often used for gatherings, breakfast, or bread pudding.
How many servings does this challah recipe make?
This recipe is designed to yield 2 servings or two loaves of bread.
What temperature should the water be for blooming the yeast?
The water should be lukewarm to properly activate the active dry yeast.
How long does the yeast need to stand initially?
The yeast, water, and honey mixture should stand for 5 minutes until it becomes frothy.
What is the first step after the yeast becomes frothy?
You should stir in 1 cup of bread flour, cover the bowl, and let it sit for 30 minutes to develop a sponge.
What kind of oil is recommended for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of olive oil.
How many eggs are used in the dough itself?
The dough requires one whole egg and four egg yolks.
Can I use a different salt than kosher salt?
Yes, while the recipe suggests kosher salt, you can use a different salt if preferred.
How much bread flour is needed in total?
The recipe uses 1 cup initially for the sponge and an additional 2 1/2 to 3 cups during the mixing and kneading process.
How long should I knead the challah dough?
The dough should be kneaded on a floured surface for approximately 10 minutes until it is smooth and elastic.
How long is the first rise at room temperature?
The dough should rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
Why does the dough need to go into the refrigerator?
The dough is placed in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours, or overnight, to allow the flavor to develop.
What should I use to dust the surface when shaping the dough?
The instructions recommend using a corn-mealed surface when turning out the chilled dough.
How many portions should the dough be divided into?
The dough should be divided into two equal portions for shaping and braiding.
How long is the second rise after braiding?
The braided dough should rise for an additional hour before baking.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 375°F (190°C).
What are the ingredients for the egg wash?
The egg wash consists of one egg whisked together with one tablespoon of water.
How many times should I brush the dough with egg wash?
Brush the dough twice with the egg wash to achieve a beautiful glossy finish.
What optional toppings can I add to the challah?
You can optionally sprinkle cinnamon sugar or cheese on top of the dough before baking.
How long does the bread need to bake?
Bake the loaves for 30 to 40 minutes in the preheated oven.
What should I do if the bread browns too quickly in the oven?
If the bread starts to brown too quickly, you can cover it with foil while it finishes baking.
How do I achieve a soft crust on the challah?
For a soft crust, wrap the warm loaves in plastic bags after removing them from the oven.
How do I achieve a crisp crust on the challah?
For a crisp crust, allow the loaves to cool uncovered on wire racks.
Can I shape this bread into something other than a loaf?
Yes, you can shape the dough into a circular loaf as desired.
What is the primary category of this recipe?
This recipe is categorized under Yeast Breads.
What makes this challah bread sweet?
The sweetness comes from the combination of honey and 2/3 cup of sugar.
How many total ingredients are used in this recipe?
There are 13 ingredients listed, including optional toppings.
Is bread flour required, or can I use all-purpose flour?
The recipe specifically calls for bread flour to achieve the desired texture and structure.
How do I know if the dough has kneaded enough?
The dough is ready when it is no longer overly sticky and feels smooth and elastic to the touch.
Can this bread be toasted?
Yes, this bread is ideal for toasting, making sandwiches, or eating fresh.