Water Challah Recipes

WATER CHALLAH

Steps:

• Proof yeast by taking 3 cups of luke warm (should feel pleasantly warm on wrist and be about 105-110F; if too hot it will kill the yeast) in a 4 or more cup measuring cup and add 4 Tbs. of instant yeast and 2 Tbs. of sugar. Mix a little. When it reaches the top of the 4 cup mark it is done.
• Meanwhile mix bread flour and salt. [For Rosh Hashannah I add the anise seeds.] Add oil and proofed yeast and water. Knead until smooth, adding flour if dough is too sticky or warm water if too stiff.
• Oil a large mixing bowl. Place dough in bowl, turning once to coat. Cover loosely with a damp towel and allow to rise until doubled (time depends upon warmth of house but with this much yeast maybe as little as 30 minutes to 1 hour).
• When doubled punch down, knead gently folding over. [Now is a good time to separate the challah for the bracha.] Divide into halves, quarters, or eighths depending on size of loaf or smaller for rolls. Shape in braids, discs, rounds, etc. as preferred. Place on greased cookie sheets or whatever shape pan preferred. Cover loosely with towel and allow to rise another hour.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush each loaf with beaten egg if desired. [If using discs for Rosh Hashannah: use a sharp blade to cut a tic-tac-toe grid on each disc.] Sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds if desired.
• Bake 30 minutes or until golden and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. Remove and cool on racks.

CHALLAH

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the oil, sugar, salt, eggs and 4 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a firm dough. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour., Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide in half. Divide each portion into thirds. Shape each piece into a 15-in. rope. , Place 3 ropes on a greased baking sheet and braid; pinch ends to seal and tuck under. Repeat with remaining dough. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour., Preheat oven to 350°. Beat egg and cold water; brush over braids. Sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds if desired. Bake until golden brown, 30-40 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool.

WATER CHALLAH

Steps:

• Crumble the yeast into the water, add sugar, and let bubble. Add flour. Mix well. Add remaining ingredients and knead to a soft dough. The dough has to be kneaded very well. Even if it seems like too much flour, keep kneading until it is all incorporated. Let rise 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
• Separate challah and braid (the dough shouldn't need extra flour) into pans. Once braided, let the challos rise 1 1/2 to 2 hours (for light, airy texture). Preheat oven to 250. Brush challos with egg and place in oven.
• After 10 minutes, raise oven temperature to 450 for 10 minutes, then lower to 350 and bake for 25 minutes. Remove from pans onto cookie sheet and bake at 350 for an additional 10 minutes.

EVERYTHING CHALLAH

Steps:

• Mix the yeast, water, and sugar together in a large bowl, stir to dissolve the sugar, and let the mixture stand until a creamy layer forms on top, about 5 minutes. Stir in the oil, and sprinkle the yeast mixture with 2 tablespoons of salt, 2 tablespoons of poppy seeds, 2 tablespoons of dried onion, 1 tablespoon of dried garlic, garlic powder, and onion powder. Add the flour a cup at a time up to 6 cups, then add more by half-cups if needed to make an elastic but not sticky dough.
• Turn the dough out onto a floured surface, and knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. Form the dough into a compact round shape, and place in an oiled bowl. Turn the dough over several times in the bowl to oil the surface of the dough, cover the bowl with a cloth, and let rise in a warm area until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Cut the dough into 2 equal size pieces. To make 3-strand braided loaves, cut each piece into 3 pieces. Working on a floured surface, roll the small dough pieces into ropes about the thickness of your thumb and about 12 inches long. Ropes should be fatter in the middle and thinner at the ends. Pinch 3 ropes together at the top and braid them. Starting with the strand to the right, move it to the left over the middle strand (that strand becomes the new middle strand.) Take the strand farthest to the left, and move it over the new middle strand. Continue braiding, alternating sides each time, until the loaf is braided, and pinch the ends together and fold them underneath for a neat look. Place the loaves on the prepared baking sheets. Cover the loaves, and let them rise in a warm place for 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Mix sesame seeds, kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon of poppy seeds, 1/2 teaspoon of dried onion, and 1/2 teaspoon of dried garlic in a small bowl. Brush the loaves with beaten egg, and sprinkle with the seed mixture.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the loaves are cooked through and golden brown, 45 to 60 minutes. Check for doneness after 45 minutes of baking time.

BEST PULL-APART JEWISH CHALLAH RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Dissolve active dry yeast in warm water. Add 1 tsp sugar and stir, activating yeast - the yeast should foam. (This should take 5 to 10 minutes).
• In a stand mixer, mix one egg, sugar, oil, and salt together. To this, add two cups of flour and mix.
• Add activated yeast to flour and mix well. Then, add the remaining flour until dough forms and is kneadable.
• On a clean surface, very lightly sprinkle flour and knead dough. Let stand on the counter for one hour and then punch down to deflate. Shape into a ball.
• Next, place dough in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight or for at least 10 hours.
• The next day, preheat the oven to 350°F. Punch down dough and knead for an additional. 5 minutes. Form into a ball and cut this into 3 equal pieces.
• Roll out the pieces into strands and let rest for 5 minutes. Then, roll out a second time - strands should have become a little more elastic at this point.
• Braid into a loose challah, being careful not to braid too tightly as the dough will rise again once down.
• Now, allow dough to rise for another 30 minutes until doubled in size. To test, gently poke a finger into the dough - if it's ready, this should leave a dent that slowly bounces back.
• Once ready, whisk room temperature egg until homogenized to create an egg wash. Use a pastry brush to apply this onto the entire top of the challah. If desired, add sesame seeds at this step (optional).
• Place challah on a baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes or until light golden brown.
• Remove from the oven, let rest, and serve.
• Enjoy!