Thursday, April 2, 2015

3 Strands Braided Challah Bread

Challah bread doesnt need any introduction if you love egg loaded breads. Challah breads are well known in Jewish cuisine,this bread can go for upto 12 strands, i have already prepared this 6 strands Braided Challah Bread,this 4 strands Braided challah bread and 5 strands Challah bread, obviously i want to make three strands braided challah bread. Actually my kids just love challah bread topped with black poppy seeds with nutella spread.The name challah is derived from the Hebrew word used for portion in the Biblical commandment of the first of the dough that one should give unto the Lord a portion for a gift throughout their generations. Needless to say challah bread is a Jewish sabbath-Holiday bread.


This sweet eggy bread is prepared with oil and honey but not with butter. Eventhough butter is not used in this beautiful challah bread, this bread will be rich in texture and highly spongy as much as like French Brioche.This bread makes an excellent accompaniment to serve along with meats in a lunch or dinner table. This challah bread is going to be part of this month's blogging marathon as am running Mega marathon during this whole month of April with baking as theme.

3 strands braided challah bread

5cups Bread flour
1/3cup Honey
1+ 1/4cups Luke warm water
2+ 1/4 tsp Active dry yeast
1+ 1/2 tsp Salt
2/3cup Olive oil
2 eggs
1/4 cup Milk
Black poppyseeds

Egg wash:
1no Egg yolk
1tbsp Water


Dissolve the honey in the water in a large mixing bowl, and stir in the yeast. Keep the mixture aside until the yeast turns foamy.

Stir in the salt, 2/3 cup of olive oil, and beaten eggs. Add the flour 1 cup at a time until the dough is slightly tacky, but not sticky wet.

Turn it out onto a floured surface, and knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes.

Lightly oil a bowl, place the dough in the bowl, turn the dough over a few times to oil the surface, then let rise until doubled in a warm or for an hour.

To make the loaves, punch down the dough, and cut it into 2 equal-sized pieces. Cut the first piece into 3 equal parts.

Set the second piece aside under a cloth to prevent drying out while you braid the first loaf.

3strands Challah

Now roll them as 3 medium sized ropes.Line them side by side, pinch the pieces together at one end and start braiding.

Transfer it to the baking sheet lined over a baking tray, let it sit again in a warm place for an hour.

Meanwhile mix the egg yolk and water for egg wash.

Preheat the oven to 350F.

Brush generously the rised braided bread with the egg wash,sprinkle the black poppy seeds generously, keep aside for half an hour..

Bake the bread for 40-45minutes or until the crust turns golden brown.

Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely before slicing.

25 comments:

Anonymous said... Reply To This Comment

Challah is in my to-dolist for a really long time. Just dont know when I wll finally get to it!

Your bread looks like a small piece of art :-)

Srividhya said... Reply To This Comment

I need to try these braided versions love them. yours has come out really well

Nalini's Kitchen said... Reply To This Comment

Wow!!!perfectly braided and the bread has come out very well with a nice texture and love the golden crust....

vaishali sabnani said... Reply To This Comment

The bread looks stunning with that glaze, love the well braided bread. Awesome!

MySpicyKitchen said... Reply To This Comment

Beautifully braided bread. Another wonderful bake

Varada's Kitchen said... Reply To This Comment

That is a beautiful deep golden color. I am sure it tasted great.

Foodiliciousnan said... Reply To This Comment

Your breads are such an inspiration Priya! Beautiful bread!

Unknown said... Reply To This Comment

Perfectly braided bread and lovely color you got..Wanted to try bout not for April BM

Unknown said... Reply To This Comment

What a beautiful golden color.. Amazing texture and looks super soft... Well done..

Gayathri Kumar said... Reply To This Comment

Love, love ,love the colour of the bread. That slice looks so inviting. You are surely a queen when it comes to bread Priya!!!

Kalyani said... Reply To This Comment

perfectly made.. with a soup, it wid taste great !

The Pumpkin Farm said... Reply To This Comment

how do manage to get that beautiful gloss and color each time priya....this one looks like one those need to be polished off right from the screen

veena said... Reply To This Comment

Perfectly baked braid. What a lovely colour!

Pavani said... Reply To This Comment

What a gorgeous bread Priya. Looks AMAZING. Great bread in time for Easter.

Suma Gandlur said... Reply To This Comment

This is one more gorgeous creation from you. Priya. Love the gold sheen.

Harini R said... Reply To This Comment

Wow! So many versions of challah bread, Priya. Each one is a stunning piece of art!

Saraswathi Ganeshan said... Reply To This Comment

These are so adorable and perfect with bowl of soup!! yumm

Sandhya Ramakrishnan said... Reply To This Comment

Lovely bread and what a great color that has! Wonderful one Priya :)

Srivalli said... Reply To This Comment

Wow Priya you got me drooling right here!..very beautifully done bread..

Padmajha said... Reply To This Comment

Wow!That is a beautiful bread Priya! Love the color and the gloss..

Anupa Joseph (Palaharam) said... Reply To This Comment

I love Challah no matter how many braids they consist of...this looks superb..yumm

Suja Ram said... Reply To This Comment

Perfectly Braided Bread. What a lovely golden crust it has!! Drooling Priya.

Sneha's Recipe said... Reply To This Comment

This bread is awesome and has a lovely crust.

Archana said... Reply To This Comment

Challah is on must do list for long now. Yours looks awesome. I dont blam ethe kids even I want a slice.

Unknown said... Reply To This Comment

wow aks semmam challah bread looks fantastic and perfect braided they are :) love the golden crust you attained !!