Traditional Braided Challah Bread

Braided Challah bread is traditionally served by Ashkenazi Jews during rituals, particularly for Friday and Saturday Shabbat, except during Passover. Its woven ropes symbolize unity and the twelve mounds represent the twelve tribes of Israel. I’m sure you will agree that unity is much needed today.

The origin of challah bread goes back to medieval times in Southern Germany during the 15th century.

Enjoy this recipe!

Double Braided Challah Bread

Typically served for Jewish Shabbat

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Prep Time 2 hours hrs 45 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Course bread

Cuisine Holiday

Servings 1 loaf

Equipment

• 1 sheet pan
• parchment paper
• Mixing bowl

Ingredients

  

• 1 pkg Active Dry Yeast Not quick rise
• 1 cup Very warm water
• 3 1/2 cups Flour I used bread flour but enriched flour is fine.
• 1 Tbsp Sugar
• 1/2 Tbsp Salt
• 2 Tbsp Canola oil
• 1 Egg
• Poppy Seeds
• 1 Egg Yolk

Instructions

 

• Put the yeast into a mixing bowl.
• Add very warm water to dissolve the yeast.
• Add the sugar, egg, salt, oil, and flour and mix. (no need to let the yeast foam)
• Spread a little flour on a board and knead the dough for a few minutes until it is soft and elastic.
• Place the dough in a ball back into a lightly oiled bowl and cover it with a damp dishcloth.
• Let the dough rise for about 2 hours until it doubles in size.
• Push the dough down to release the air bubbles.
• Cut the dough into 4 equal pieces.
• On a sheet pan lined with parchment paper, roll 3 pieces of the dough into long ropes and braid it pinching at the ends.
• With the remaining piece, cut it into 3 pieces, roll into ropes and braid. Place the small braid on top of the larger braid in the sheet pan pinching the ends.
• Brush the challah with the yolk of one egg and sprinkle it with poppy seeds.
• Let the challah rise for about 30 minutes.
• Preheat your oven for 350 degrees and bake it for 45 minutes.

Notes

Sesame seeds can be used instead of poppy seeds.

Keyword bread, Jewish Holidays

The origin of this double braided challah recipe

When I was a child living in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles during the early 1960s, we attended Temple Beth Hillel which is a reform temple. My mother was given this Challah recipe by the rabbi’s wife. Our family, which has never been particularly religious other than one brother who is now Orthodox, has made this recipe for decades.

Its double braid is unique and I believe quite beautiful. Although there are many ways to make Challah, this recipe has always been a winner for us and is an easy bread to make.

A call for peace and unity

As you can imagine, we were all horrified by the October 7th, 2023 massacre of Israelis and others by Hamas. It was barbaric and unforgiveable. However, many of us are equally horrified at what is happening to the Palestinan people in Gaza where scores of innocents are being slaughtered unecessarily.

Without getting into the politics of this situation, I believe we must delve into the root of the problem as that is the only way to keep this from happening again. Anti-semitism is rising but also Muslim hate and it will only get worse.

Hamas MUST be eliminated as it is an extreme and evil organization but diplomacy is key. Extremism on both sides will never solve this problem or any problem. My wish is for a quick peace and end to this apocalyptic situation.