Looking for a delicious and easy bread recipe that’s perfect for any occasion? Look no further than this Easy Challah Bread recipe! With its soft texture and slightly sweet flavor, this bread is sure to become a staple in your kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
- Great flavors: The combination of honey, olive oil, and eggs gives this Challah Bread a rich and indulgent taste.
- Quick prep time: With simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, you can have fresh homemade bread on the table in no time.
- Perfect for meal prep: Whether you’re hosting a brunch or just want to have some bread on hand for sandwiches, this recipe is perfect for making ahead of time.
Ingredient Notes:
- Bread flour: Provides the structure and chewiness to the bread.
- Fast-action yeast: Helps the dough rise quickly.
- Fine salt: Enhances the flavor of the bread.
- Liquid honey: Adds sweetness and moisture to the bread.
- Light-tasting olive oil: Gives the bread a tender crumb and subtle flavor.
- Eggs and egg yolks: Provide richness and color to the bread.
- Water: Helps bind all the ingredients together.
- Egg yolk for glazing: Gives the bread a shiny finish.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread flour, yeast, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the honey, olive oil, eggs, egg yolks, and water.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough until smooth and elastic, then let it rise until doubled in size.
- Divide the dough into portions and shape them into braided loaves.
- Let the loaves rise again, then brush with egg yolk and bake until golden brown.
Helpful Tips:
- For a richer flavor, you can add a touch of orange zest or cinnamon to the dough.
- Store leftover Challah Bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- You can swap the honey for maple syrup or agave nectar for a different flavor profile.
Expert Tips for the Best Results:
- Make sure your yeast is fresh and active to ensure a good rise.
- Don’t over-knead the dough, as this can result in a tough loaf.
- Brush the egg yolk on the loaves just before baking to get that shiny crust.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve this Challah Bread warm with a spread of butter or jam for breakfast. It also pairs well with soups, salads, or as a side for your favorite dinner dish.
Storage and Reheating Tips:
To keep the Challah Bread fresh, wrap it in foil and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week. To reheat, place the bread in a 350°F oven for a few minutes until warmed through.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I freeze the Challah Bread? Yes, you can freeze the bread for up to 3 months. Just thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
- Can I use whole wheat flour instead of bread flour? You can substitute some of the bread flour with whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor.
- How can I prevent the bread from burning on top? If the bread is browning too quickly, tent it with foil during the last few minutes of baking.
Conclusion:
Now that you have all the tips and tricks for making the perfect Easy Challah Bread, it’s time to get baking! Whether you’re a seasoned bread maker or a beginner in the kitchen, this recipe is sure to impress. Give it a try and let us know how it turns out!
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Easy Challah Bread
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 1 loaf 1x
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Jewish
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Easy Challah Bread recipe is a simple and delicious way to make this traditional Jewish bread at home. With a soft and slightly sweet dough, this bread is perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Dough:
- 4 cups bread flour
- 3 teaspoons fast-action yeast
- 2 teaspoons fine salt
- 5 tablespoons liquid honey
- ⅓ cup light-tasting olive oil
- 2 large eggs
- 2 large egg yolks
- ⅔ cup water
- 1 large egg yolk, for glazing
Instructions
- Mixing the Dough: Combine flour, yeast, salt, honey, olive oil, eggs, egg yolks, and water. Knead until smooth.
- Rising: Let the dough rise until doubled in size.
- Shaping: Divide the dough, braid, and let rise again.
- Baking: Brush with egg yolk, bake until golden brown.
Notes
- You can customize the flavor by adding seeds or dried fruits to the dough.
- Make sure the bread is fully baked by tapping the bottom for a hollow sound.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 200 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg