Description
This Soft And Buttery Challah Bread is a golden, fluffy homemade bread with a tender pull-apart crumb, rich flavor, and a glossy braided crust that looks beautiful on any table. It is perfect for breakfast ideas, brunch recipes, holiday bread, easy baking projects, dinner ideas, French toast, cozy food ideas, and anyone looking for an easy recipe that feels special but still approachable.
Ingredients
1 cup warm water
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1/4 cup granulated sugar
4 cups all-purpose flour
2 large eggs
1 large egg yolk
1/4 cup neutral oil
1 1/2 teaspoons fine salt
1 large egg for egg wash
1 tablespoon water for egg wash
1 tablespoon coarse salt or sesame seeds for topping
Instructions
1. Stir the warm water, yeast, and a small spoonful of the sugar together in a large bowl. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes, until foamy.
2. Add the flour, remaining sugar, eggs, egg yolk, oil, and salt. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
3. Knead the dough for 8 to 10 minutes, until smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky.
4. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let it rise for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until doubled.
5. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and divide it into 3 equal pieces.
6. Roll each piece into a long rope, then braid the ropes together and tuck the ends underneath.
7. Place the braid on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover lightly, and let it rise for 45 to 60 minutes, until puffy.
8. Whisk the egg with water and brush it generously over the loaf. Sprinkle with coarse salt or sesame seeds if desired.
9. Bake at 350°F for 28 to 35 minutes, until deeply golden and baked through.
10. Cool on a wire rack before slicing so the crumb stays soft and clean.
Notes
Do not add too much flour while kneading. The dough should feel soft and slightly tacky, not dry or stiff, because extra flour can make the challah dense instead of fluffy.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Jewish-inspired / American home baking
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 245
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 335mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 58mg
Keywords: soft challah bread, buttery challah bread, homemade challah, braided bread, easy bread recipe, breakfast ideas, brunch recipes, holiday bread, dinner ideas, French toast bread