What is Challah? Challah (Halla) is a Hebrew word, a special bread used in Jewish rituals, ceremonies, and on Holidays. It is usually braided or round. Lily, my youngest daughter, and I made this bread a couple days ago. It was a fun and learning experience. I am not familiar with Jewish traditions but this booklet: Rise to the Occasion Challah Bake taught me a whole lot more than how to bake the bread. For example, I learned that the baking of Challah is one of the three special commandments (Mitzvot) given especially to women and brings divine blessings ad protection into their home. An example of the prayer they say is also in the booklet.

I also learned that the ingredients have their own spiritual significance. The bowl, for instance, represents your home. Each ingredient added t the bowl should bring its unique blessing. I encourage you to download the free booklet and you will be blessed by it. Additionally, the recipe for sweet challah is also included in the booklet with graphics on how to properly braid it. YouTUbe is also a great resource if the graphics are not doing it for you.

Ingredients:

3 cups of flour

1/4 cup plus 3 tbsp sugar

1 tbsp yeast (I used instant rise)

1/2 tbsp salt

1 cup of warm water

1/4 cup oil (I used olive oil)

1 egg

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine flour, yeast, and salt. Add warm water, sugar, oil, and eggs. Mix and make a soft dough, knead for 10 minutes.

Cover the bowl and let it rise until doubles in size (For about 45 minutes).

Punch down and shape again. Let it rise for another 45 minutes.

Divide the dough into 6 balls and roll the balls to form long strands.

Arrange the strands horizontally(looking like a fan with space in between). Pinch all the ends together on top. Start braiding.

To see the graphics on how to braid the challah: Challah Bake Booklet 

Brush the dough with an egg.  Bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes.

The bread is so good! Soft inside and a little sweet. We will be making this again but with a humble heart keeping all the good Jewish traditions in mind that we learned through the booklet.  I hope that you will try these with your kiddos at home! Here's my happy kid.

We posted a video of her making this Challah, you can watch it here on Instagram. While you are there, let's be friends too, and let me know you are coming from my blog so I can follow you back too.

OTHER RECIPES TO TRY:

Homemade Bread Loaves