Bear with me for one moment.
Holla!!! I made challah!!!
Ahem, okay now that is out my system, back to our regularly scheduled #SundaySupper program. 🙂
This week is a fantastic theme, #SundaySupper is starting January with our culinary bucket list. Everyone makes resolutions at the beginning of a new year, so why not make some culinary ones too?
Although, to be honest I’ve stopped making resolutions. They just get broken or forgotten about anyway. I prefer to make small goals throughout the year and attain them one at a time. Making a list and checking it off as I go is always completely satisfying.
What about you? Are you a resolutions person or do you just give up on them after the first week?
In terms of the culinary bucket list, truth be told I never really kept one. There were only two things I could think of that I really wanted to make and still hadn’t. The first was cheese curds and the second was challah. Knowing I wouldn’t be able to get my cheese ingredients in time, challah it had to be!
One goal for this year is to start making more bread at home. While this isn’t a goal I can check off just once, this theme was a great excuse to get started.
If you are new to bread baking start with this! I know the braid might be intimidating, but trust me it was simple! The dough was so easy to work with, and I had the most tender, sweet, eggy bread in the end. One lesson I did learn, make two loaves! Right in the middle of braiding I started to realize I’m going to end up with one large challah. I’m talking celebration size challah! Ooops, I guess I got a little too excited. 🙂
Either braid your second loaf and freeze it as is, or just take the second half of dough and braid it after you defrost it.
Giant challah after it finished baking
I found that this bread tasted better and more challah-ish after it sat for a day. While delicious right out of the oven, the crust softens and the inside is more pillowy.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups lukewarm water
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 2 large egg yolks, room temperature
- 1 package (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 4 cups bread flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 additional egg for egg wash
Instructions
- In the bowl of your stand mixer, combine the water, egg, egg yolks, yeast, oil and sugar. Whisk until combined.
- Add the flour and salt and using the dough attachment, mix on medium for 3-5 minutes until the dough comes together.
- Let the dough rest for 5 minutes and then mix for another 3-5 minutes until the dough is fairly smooth.
- On a well floured surface, roll the dough into a ball and place in a lightly greased bowl and covered with plastic wrap. Leave in a warm, draft free area to rest until it has doubled in size - about 2 hours.
- Transfer the dough to a floured surface and divide it into 3 even portions. Working with one portion at a time, roll into a 12 inch long rope thats wider in the middle than the ends. Repeat with remaining portions of dough.
- Set one strip in front of you and the remaining two at a 45 degree angle on each side so they just overlap. Tuck the edges in and then gently lift one of the outer strips, crossing over the middle and place it along the outside of the outer strip.
- Next bring that outer strip and cross over the middle, laying it down. Tug on each strip as you braid, continuing all the way down pinching the edges together at the end.
- Transfer to a large baking sheet that has been greased with oil. Brush the top of the challah with oil and cover with plastic wrap. Let rest in a draft free, warm area for about 1/12 hours.
- When ready to bake, remove the plastic wrap and brush with the beaten egg wash.
- Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees and bake for 25 minutes, rotating half way through. The interior temperature of the challah should read 180 degrees.
Want to see what is on everyone else’s bucket list? Check it out below!
Sunday Supper Specialty Breads:
- Homemade Bagels with Mimosa Spread by Daily Dish Recipes
- Homemade Tortillas by Supper for a Steal
- Brioche by Gotta Get Baked
- Alton Brown’s Soft Pretzels by Hezzi-D’s Book and Cooks
- Braided Challah by The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
- Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites by In the Kitchen with Audrey and Maurene
- Belgian Waffles by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Gluten-free Bread by Happy Baking Days
- Monkey Bread by Vintage Kitchen Notes
Sunday Supper Main Dishes:
- Lightened Up Slow Cooker Butter Chicken by The Meltaways
- Gluten Free Ravioli by No One Likes Crumbley Cookies
- Bagna Cauda and Potatoes by Shockingly Delicious
- Beef Wellington by Family Foodie
- Green Chili and Lentil Tamales by Mangoes and Chutney
- Mushroom Ragout over Creamy Polenta by Noshing with the Nolands
- Butternut Squash Gnocchi by Peanut Butter and Peppers
- Ropa Vieja by Magnolia Days
- Tah-Dig (Persian Rice) by The Little Ferraro Kitchen
- Fresh Ravioli with Ricotta by Comfy Cuisine
- Stuffed Artichokes by The Roxx Box
- Braised Short Ribs by The Messy Baker blog
- Julia Child’s Boeuf Bourguignon by Hip Foodie Mom
- French Onion Soup by The Weekend Gourmet
- Leaping Frog Chicken by The Urban Mrs.
- Fried Polenta with Spicy Tomato Relish by Mama Mommy Mom
- Savory Spinach-Filled Crepe Cake with Cheddar Sauce by Webicurean
- Japanese-Style Prosperity Pockets & Goat Cheese En Croute by Ninja Baking
- San Antonio Puffy Tacos by Sustainable Dad
- Chinese Dumplings by My Cute Bride
- Falafel by Small Wallet Big Appetite
Sunday Supper Desserts and Snacks:
- Creamy Lemon Fudge by Chocolate Moosey
- Zebra Cake by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Faux Ice Cream with Bananas by Country Girl in the Village
- Divinity by Juanita’s Cocina
- Homemade Seafoam Candy by girlichef
- French Macarons by I Run for Wine
- Mocha Macadamia Trifle with Mascarpone Cream by The Foodie Army Wife
- Nut and Seed Nougat by What Smells So Good
- Pumpkin Mocha Cupcakes with Whipped Cream Frosting and Dulce de Leche Drizzle by Damn Delicious
- Chocolate Meringue Cake (gluten free) by Dinners, Dishes and Desserts
- Gluten-Free Golden Fudge Cake by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Orange Rum Tiramisu Cake by Crispy Bits & Burnt Ends
- Peanut Sesame Honey Brittle by Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
- Granola Bars with Dried Fruit by The Wimpy Vegetarian
- Jamaican Blue Drawers by Lovely Pantry
- Mini Classic Key Lime Pies by In the Kitchen with KP
- Donuts: Redux by Kelly Bakes
- Hot Lemon Curd Soufflés by Food Lust People Love
- Popcorn with truffle oil and asiago cheese by Ruffles & Truffles
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter each Sunday. We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET and you do not want to miss out on the fun. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.
Gorgeous challah, Susan. Oh my goodness. Looks like a loaf I might pick up at an exclusive bakery. Congratulations! And, thank you, for the encouraging words that you found it easier than previously imagined…Looking forward to seeing more of your lovely #SundaySupper creations in 2013. See you at the Twitter table =)
Your challah looks wonderful! I made it one time and it really spread out but your braid looks nice and tight!
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That is beautiful bread! Challah is on my list of things I want to bake. I might need to do that now. 🙂
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Beautiful challah! It’s on my bucket list too. I’ve been lax on baking bread lately and want to get back into the groove more this year.
I have to say – this bread is seriously beautiful! I have never made homemade bread in my kitchen; this makes me want to try it out!
Awesome, Susan! I want to dig into it right now!
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Your braided challah is GORGEOUS! This needs to go on my “to try” bucket list as well. Goodness, what a perfect bread!
Holla!!!! My girl made challah!!! Yours came out gorgeus!
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Gorgeous Challah! And for some reason, I am now craving a nice, rich French Toast… 😉
Challah is really one of the extraordinary breads of the world. There are so many variations to it and it´s such an accomplishment. It looks golden and wonderful!
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Your challah looks amazing!!! I was have planned to look for a challah recipe today – I am so excited!!!! Fantastic – we all love challah 🙂
Wow! You braided your loaf perfectly!!! Beautifully done…one of my absolute favorite breads!
It looks gorgeous!! I love fresh bread!
absolutely stunning… I just want to take a great big bite right out of my laptop. Awesome way to start the New Year Susan!
your challah looks gorgeous Susan! awesome job!
Holla! I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one who does that. This is one gorgeous loaf of bread. Love it!
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Picture perfect!! Brilliant! I’m saving this for when I get the courage to make challah. When I do, I’ll “Holla” LOL! Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.
Holla!!! Bread baking is always so much fun! And your braid looks gorgeous, perfect challah bread!
This is a bread I have wanted to tackle for a while. Great pick. It looks likes it came out wonderfully!
Challah! Your braiding is perfect! It looks so lovely. Congrats on this awesome piece of breads(wo)manship! I’ve never made braided challah, just a weird, woven square version with apples, I think I should try this!
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Holla! Lol (I’m a total cheeseball so I loved your holla I made challah comment). And resolving to bake more bread is always a good thing! I’ll support you all the way. This challah looks incredible! I love egg-based breads so this is definitely on my to-bake list this year. I wouldn’t even mind the ginormous size of it – when it gets a bit stale, make french toast or bread pudding…so many delicious possibilities!
Holla!!! You made challah!!! 🙂 It’s beautiful! I’m not one for resolutions either but small goals throughout the year and baking more bread at home sounds great to me!! Love this recipe!
In the past I would have said I was a resolution person but after talking to a friend about it I realized that what I call resolutions others would just call goals and planning. *Shrug* So what ever you call it I am big on giving myself goals to achieve throughout the year. This challah looks absolutely incredible by the way.
I have yet to tackle any homemade bread much less a braided challah! Very impressed here. 🙂 Oh, and I gave you a little mention on my post today. 🙂
Challah! That looks incredible.
this always reminds me of my mom and grandpa. even though we’re not jewish its become a holiday tradition! http://yummysmells.blogspot.ca/2007/12/holiday-musts-from-mom-filled-brioche.html
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What a gorgeous challah! And very interesting about letting it sit. Most breads are better fresh.
I love challah. It is perfect for french toast.
I’ve never made it myself, but you make it sound so easy.
I have to share with you, the first time I made Challah was for Hannukah and it was hard as a rock. It was inedible. I made it a second time after finally building up the courage. Holla at your Challah. It looks perfect!
Holla! LOL I have a Jewish friend who says that all the time, and whenever I see “Challah.” I hear her in my head! 🙂 The bread looks DELCIOUS!
I want to make more bread too … it always seems so time consuming (yet always worth it!) … this looks delicious!
Any bread gets my attention! YUM! Looks awesomely delicious!
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What? Real men don’t bake? Not one comment from a male.
Plenty of men bake Richard! I hope you’re one of them!