Challah has long been a symbolic centerpiece for a Rosh Hashanah spread. It’s at the heart of many Jewish celebrations, including Shabbat and Purim. I wanted to learn more about challah bread—and what makes it different from other braided breads.
What Is Challah Bread?
Challah is a Kosher loaf of braided bread. The simple dough is made with eggs, water, flour, yeast and salt. The bread is typically pale yellow in color because so many eggs are used, and it has a rich flavor, too. (Challah refers to the mitzvah [a blessing or good deed] of separating out a portion of the dough before you begin braiding as a contribution to the Kohen [priest]. This commandment is called the hafrashat challah.)How to Make Challah Bread
You’ll need the perfect recipe for Honey Challah!
The bread should be prepared depending on the holiday or occasion. For Rosh Hashanah, round loaves are baked, symbolizing continuity, and on Purim, smaller triangular loaves are made to symbolize Haman’s hat. For Shabbat, the standard braided loaves are common. The dough is fairly straightforward, but braiding the dough takes focus.
Here are other secrets for making challah:
- Add raisins to symbolize sweetness and happiness, particularly around joyous holidays.
- Add chocolate chips, cinnamon, orange zest or almonds for a pop of color or flavor.
- Brush your loaves with egg whites and honey before baking for a shiny and golden crust.
- Sprinkle poppy or sesame seeds on top of the bread to symbolize the manna that fell from heaven after the exodus from Egypt.
More Cozy Holiday Breads
Christmas Star Twisted Bread
This gorgeous sweet bread swirled with jam may look tricky, but it’s not. The best part is opening the oven to find this star-shaped beauty in all its glory. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Baker's Dozen Yeast Rolls
A yummy honey-garlic topping turns these easy dinner rolls into something extra special. Try ’em with soups and chili. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Cinnamon Swirl Quick Bread
While cinnamon swirl bread is a natural for breakfast, we love it so much we enjoy it all day long. This is a nice twist on traditional cinnamon swirl yeast breads. —Helen Richardson, Shelbyville, Michigan
Candy Cane Coffee Cakes
I make my festive-looking coffee cakes at Christmas and for breakfast company. My husband doesn't usually care for apricots, but he loves these. —Kelley Winship, West Rutland, Vermont
Herb & Romano Cheese Wreath
After the wreath is baked and cooled it can be wrapped in foil, placed in an airtight plastic bag and frozen until you are ready to give it away. Add some whipped butter on the side and it’s the perfect gift.—Linda Padia, Wauna, Washington
Apple Streusel Muffins
These apple streusel muffins remind us of coffee cake, and my husband and kids love them as a quick breakfast or snack on the run. The drizzle of glaze makes them pretty enough for company. —Dulcy Grace, Roaring Spring, Pennsylvania
Almond-Filled Stollen
I’ve been making this during the holiday season for nearly 50 years. When we flew to Alaska one year to spend Christmas with our daughter’s family, I carried my stollen on the plane!—Rachel Seel, Abbotsford, British Columbia
Overnight Reindeer Rolls
Kids love helping in the kitchen. This year, have a little fun making these reindeer-shaped rolls with your little bakers. And make sure to take pictures because the treats will be gone before you know it! —Chris O'Connell, San Antonio, Texas
Praline-Topped Apple Bread
Apples, toasted pecans and a praline glaze make this bread perfect for a holiday celebration—or anytime. We like it better than our go-to coffee cake. —Sonja Blow, Nixa, Missouri
Swedish Cream Apple Rings
My mother made this classic coffee cake for every important holiday... Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. Now, I carry on the tradition. As I make them, I remember my mom, who was a lot like this recipe: soft and tasteful but full of surprises. The overnight rise let's you make the dough in advance so your morning won't be hectic.—Heather Hood, Hillsboro, Oregon
Cranberry Chip Monkey Bread
Monkey bread is no stranger at our house, but I wanted a holiday version. This one with cranberries and eggnog is a breakfast treat or knockout dessert. —Katherine Wollgast, Florissant, MO
Cinnamon-Roll Christmas Tree
It's so fast and easy to make these rolls for the holiday. What a sweet way to celebrate Christmas morning! —Alyssa Helm, Caledonia, Michigan
Banana Eggnog Bread
This time of year, one of my favorite snacks is warm banana bread with a glass of nog. I decided to combine the two, and was so happy with the resulting eggnog bread. —Kristin Stone, Litte Elm, Texas
Contest-Winning Gingerbread with Lemon Sauce
I asked my mother-in-law for this recipe once I learned it's my husband's favorite. Now I bake it whenever he needs an extra-special treat. Spice cake topped with lemony sauce makes us both smile. —Kristen Oak, Pocatello, Idaho
Apple Pull-Apart Bread
For a fun sweet treat that's certain to satisfy, try this recipe. Drizzled with icing, each finger-licking piece has a yummy surprise filling of apples and pecans. It's well worth the bit of extra effort. —Carolyn Gregory, Hendersonville, Tennessee
Breakfast Sausage Bread
Any time we take this savory, satisfying bread to a potluck, it goes over very well. We never bring any home. My husband generally makes this bread and prides himself on the beautiful golden loaves. -Shirley Caldwell, Northwood, Ohio
Caramel-Pecan Sticky Buns
My mother used to make delicious cinnamon rolls when I was a child. Later, she taught my sister and me to make them. I've since added the caramel and pecans. These scrumptious sticky buns are a huge hit wherever I take them. —Judy Powell, Star, Idaho
Chocolate Chip Challah
I'm fond of baking and since Challah is not available where I live, I've created my own version to serve at Christmas and Easter. It is delicious and not as much work as you would think. There is a subtle chocolate flavor and when served warm the chocolate chips may be still melty. Leftovers are great for French toast or bread pudding.—Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario
Golden Santa Bread
A friend of mine shared this fun idea. She made it with purchased frozen dough, and I use a family bread recipe. The finished loaf looks complicated. but it's actually simple to create. —Vicki Melies, Elkhorn, Nebraska
Christmas Banana Bread
This bread is a pretty addition to the table during the holidays. Cherries, walnuts and chocolate chips give fast festive flair to the loaf of moist banana bread. —Phyllis Schmalz, Kansas City, Kansas
Favorite Frosted Cinnamon Rolls
I serve these yummy frosted rolls warm from the oven as a Christmas morning treat at our house. Even if you are not accustomed to working with yeast dough, you'll find this dough is easy to handle. —Julie Sterchi, Jackson, Missouri
Pull-Apart Caramel Coffee Cake
The first time I made this delightful breakfast treat for a brunch party, it was a huge hit. Now I get requests every time family or friends do anything around the breakfast hour! I always keep the four simple ingredients on hand. —Jaime Keeling, Keizer, Oregon
Sweet Italian Holiday Bread
This is authentic ciambellotto, a sweet loaf my great-grandmother used to bake in Italy. I still use her traditional recipe—the only update I made was for using modern appliances. —Denise Perrin, Vancouver, Washington
Flaky Cheddar-Chive Biscuits
These wonderful, buttery biscuits complement any dinner. —Betsy King, Duluth, Minnesota
Crusty Homemade Bread
Crackling homemade bread makes an average day extraordinary. Enjoy this beautiful crusty bread recipe as is, or stir in a few favorites like cheese, garlic, herbs and dried fruits. —Megumi Garcia, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Pecan Pie Mini Muffins
While these are delicious year-round, you could easily turn them into an edible Christmas gift. They look festive on a decorative tray wrapped in red or green cellophane or tucked into a giveaway cookie plate. And don't forget to include the recipe so your recipient can enjoy this treat over and over again! —Pat Schrand, Enterprise, Alabama
Eggnog Mini Loaves
The seasonal flavors of eggnog, rum extract and nutmeg shine through in these moist, golden loaves. Tender slices go great with a cup of coffee. —Beverly Elmore, Spokane, Michigan
Hungarian Nut Rolls
It isn't officially the holidays until I've made this treasured nut roll recipe from my husband's grandmother. The apple-walnut filling is moist, subtly sweet and flavorful. —Donna Bardocz, Howell, Michigan
Cinnamon Chip Scones
These scones will melt in your mouth. They’re delicious hot, warm or even cold! —Barbara Humiston, Tampa, Florida
Sour Cream Fan Rolls
I received this recipe from an email pen pal in Canada. The dough is so easy to work with, and it makes the lightest yeast rolls. I haven't used another white bread recipe since I started making this one. -Carrie Ormsby, West Jordan, Utah
Make-Ahead Butterhorns
Mom loved to make these lightly sweet, golden rolls. They're beautiful and impressive and have a homemade taste that makes them memorable. —Bernice Morris, Marshfield, Missouri
Cherry-Pecan Streusel Rolls
It’s a treat watching guests enjoying these rolls. The tart cherries, sweet almond paste and crisp streusel topping have them reaching for seconds every time.—Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota
Orange Cranberry Bread
These moist loaves are packed with the zesty taste of cranberries and orange peel. I suggest serving slices toasted with butter or cream cheese. —Ron Gardner, Grand Haven, Michigan
Sarah Kosalos