Sorry for the lack of posts, the only sister living far away is Erin and she is in town right now. We have had so much fun together that we have neglected our little blog! She is here for another week…yipee! 
Back row-Mindy, Mom, Brittany, Amy
Front-Erin, Melanie (holding Eliza who is the ONLY grand daughter with 9 boy cousins!!)
Challah bread or Jewish braided bread usually served on the Sabbath or other holiday. You actually pronounce it “hallah“. Erin shared this recipe with me a couple years ago and it has become a favorite of mine. It is beautiful and surprisingly easy to make. It makes a perfect gift for people. It is a very moist and tender bread. This recipe makes 3 loaves. And it makes fabulous french toast! Yum!
I forgot the egg wash and so brushed melted butter on the hot loaves. Usually it would look shiny from the egg wash.
Challah Bread
submitted by Melanie~ The Sisters Cafe
Ingredients:
2 Tb SAF yeast (or 3 Tb with other yeasts)
2 cups warm water
½ c. sugar
scant Tb salt
½ c. canola oil
7-8 c. flour
4 or 5 large eggs
Directions:
Add water to mixing bowl. Sprinkle yeast over water. Then sprinkle sugar, then salt. Let proof. Add oil and 3 cups of flour. Mix together. Add eggs. Mix well. Then add 4 cups of flour. Mix. Add more flour as needed – usually 1 ½ to 2 cups more. Hand knead if mixer didn’t knead enough. Let rise at least 1 hour. Separate into 3 large pieces or 36 small rolls. Divide each piece into three more pieces. Roll into snakes and braid together. Let rise for about 1-2 hours or until almost double in size. Then brush with egg wash (1 egg mixed with 1 Tb water) over bread. Sprinkle with poppy seeds or sesame seeds if you want.
Bake at 350° until done (16-18 minutes)
Number Of Servings:3 loaves
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
This bread looks fantastic!
I love challah, can't wait to try this. My far away sister is coming in a month & a half, I can't wait!!!
Gorgeous! It's a bread that I'm planning to make "someday". Looking at your bread, someday may be sooner than I thought!
i love this bread – it is just beautiful! what a good idea to make it to give away!
It is beautiful. I am a bread maker. I make half whole wheat usually… three loaves about every two or three days… but I have never made Challah. Maybe Sunday. What a nice tradition that would be:) Thank you for the recipe. I really want to make that berry coffeecake, too…
You girls are all gorgeous!!! Someday I will make challah bread….I will really. Your looks fantastic!
Beautiful, sis!
Beautiful!!!!!!! sums up your bread. I cant wait to try this. I am so glad you are having a great time with your sisters.
I have always wanted to make challah bread (we also love it for french toast) but it always looked too hard. Your recipe looks pretty easy so I'm going to definitely try it out!
What is SAF yeast?
I'm wondering the same thing … what is SAF yeast ??
Dear Jen V and Bonnie,
Saf Instant Yeast is a high potency, fast acting yeast that can be added directly to your dry ingredients without it having to be put in a starter first. Saf Instant Yeast is more than twice as active as regular compressed yeast. You need less – and less storage space.
It is readily available at most places you purchase baking goods. Hope that helps!
Melanie
This looks and sounds so good. I used to work at a bakery that sold Challah bread, yours turned out looking so gorgeous! I am very impressed. And I cant wait to try out the recipe for myself, though I am sure my wont turn out as pretty.
What a good looking family.
That is a really great picture of you girls…I didn't realize that Erin's little girl is the only granddaughter out of all of those boys!
Keep up the recipes. My ward's Relief Society is always using your site. There's always something from here at ward potlucks or gatherings.
You know what they say about never trusting a skinny cook…luckily you guys have an amazing blog to disprove that statement! Thanks.
This looks delicious. I was just looking through a Jewish baking book yesterday and saw a challah recipe that started with six strands that you braid. Now I'm in the mood to make some of this. :)
OH my gosh! My sister made that but it didn't turn out as good as yours! Keep up the good work!
I am just discovering your site now..love it! I have never had this bread before but it almost sounds similar to Nisu (or Nissu) which is a delicious Finnish braided bread. A lot of people use theirs for French toast too. I have always frosted mine with powdered sugar frosting. It also can be filled with cream cheese/raspberry etc filling which I have yet to try!
This is just the recipe I needed for my birthday dinner! And this one doesn’t need honey, which saves me a trip to the store. Thanks for sharing!
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